Hey All,
So this will be my first review, ever, so Fingers Crossed!
Recently I picked up a Zastava M70A pistol in 9mm from Ellwood Epps,
It was pre-loved, but you would never have known it. Came in original box, with cleaning rod, manual, and the boxe's original slip cover. 4 mags in total came with it, and I paid 270 plus taxes.
I was a bit skeptical ordering it, as I could only find one review on the web about it, from American Rifleman,
and I was having a hard time finding anything I could order for it. Seemed to be a bit of an offbeat version of the TT-33, which is known for its lack of aftermarket support, but reliability and price point.
Well it arrived, and I was shocked. After spending atleast 3 or 4 hours looking for grips that might fit it, turns out I dont need any! Fits like a glove in my hands, and I love it's slim profile. I am still skeptical that the marschall grips out of denmark would fit it, as its a 9 round magazine well and seems to be a bit longer in shape, but when my 1945 russian tok gets here, I will be able to compare measurements for an exact answer. Shows my inexperience however, looking for add ons before it even got here, just glad I didnt spend any money on anything but ammo!
Cleaning and stripping it, I was able to use a tokarev field strip video for almost everything, except the barrel guide rod. For that I had to refer to a Zastava m57 video to ensure I wasnt going to break anything.
Had it down, thoroughly cleaned, re oiled and reassembled within a hour. Love it's simplicity, all machined edges were clean, no filing down marks or anything.
So appearance wise, it looks great, imho. Finish isn't flashy, but its even, consistent and holds up well.
Now for the part you are all wondering about,
How the Hell does it Shoot?!?
Well simply, Great.
First time I took it out, my first 9 shot group was the size of a mandarin orange, at 20 yards. I ended up going thru 90 rounds, not a single failure or jam, I tried the federal 115 and 124, both were consistent, but it seemed to like the 124 better. My largest group was the size of a pop can bottom, and smallest was all 9 within a twoonie.
Overall, I love it. As a first pistol, its been a first step.
Pros+++
Accurate (as far as I could be atleast)
Consistent
Easy to clean
Easy to handle and operate
Cons---
Impossible to find extra magazines for this pistol so far, damn glad mine came with 4.
Ejects the spent casings a bit erraticly, some were flying straight back, some were going as far as 10 feet to the right, and 2 somehow spun forward 1m.
Lack of support in North America as of now,
Pictures will follow when I get home, the work computer blocks photbucket sadly.
I am still in the process of making my own slip on grip for it and my russian tok, but works been busy latly. More on that to follow!
So this will be my first review, ever, so Fingers Crossed!
Recently I picked up a Zastava M70A pistol in 9mm from Ellwood Epps,
It was pre-loved, but you would never have known it. Came in original box, with cleaning rod, manual, and the boxe's original slip cover. 4 mags in total came with it, and I paid 270 plus taxes.
I was a bit skeptical ordering it, as I could only find one review on the web about it, from American Rifleman,
and I was having a hard time finding anything I could order for it. Seemed to be a bit of an offbeat version of the TT-33, which is known for its lack of aftermarket support, but reliability and price point.
Well it arrived, and I was shocked. After spending atleast 3 or 4 hours looking for grips that might fit it, turns out I dont need any! Fits like a glove in my hands, and I love it's slim profile. I am still skeptical that the marschall grips out of denmark would fit it, as its a 9 round magazine well and seems to be a bit longer in shape, but when my 1945 russian tok gets here, I will be able to compare measurements for an exact answer. Shows my inexperience however, looking for add ons before it even got here, just glad I didnt spend any money on anything but ammo!
Cleaning and stripping it, I was able to use a tokarev field strip video for almost everything, except the barrel guide rod. For that I had to refer to a Zastava m57 video to ensure I wasnt going to break anything.
Had it down, thoroughly cleaned, re oiled and reassembled within a hour. Love it's simplicity, all machined edges were clean, no filing down marks or anything.
So appearance wise, it looks great, imho. Finish isn't flashy, but its even, consistent and holds up well.
Now for the part you are all wondering about,
How the Hell does it Shoot?!?
Well simply, Great.
First time I took it out, my first 9 shot group was the size of a mandarin orange, at 20 yards. I ended up going thru 90 rounds, not a single failure or jam, I tried the federal 115 and 124, both were consistent, but it seemed to like the 124 better. My largest group was the size of a pop can bottom, and smallest was all 9 within a twoonie.
Overall, I love it. As a first pistol, its been a first step.
Pros+++
Accurate (as far as I could be atleast)
Consistent
Easy to clean
Easy to handle and operate
Cons---
Impossible to find extra magazines for this pistol so far, damn glad mine came with 4.
Ejects the spent casings a bit erraticly, some were flying straight back, some were going as far as 10 feet to the right, and 2 somehow spun forward 1m.
Lack of support in North America as of now,
Pictures will follow when I get home, the work computer blocks photbucket sadly.
I am still in the process of making my own slip on grip for it and my russian tok, but works been busy latly. More on that to follow!
