Zastava's ZPAPM70 Part III... Two Years Later

02/25/2024 – The local roads are posted, so Maine spring and mud season can’t be far behind. All of my bitching about clearing snow and freezing temperatures will be replaced with my bitching about spring clean up, landscaping and maintenance work. There is always something to grouse about that doesn’t take much effort.

The shop is on the list for clean up. It has become a custom racing seat, me in the middle and all of its contents closely formed around me. What once held a supply of project ammo, has now become half empty, floor sitting shelving, with contents that flow out into the middle of the floor.

There is a rain seep at one corner of the front door, the guard hinge on the lathe is broken, and the storage shelves are loaded with the contents of projects past. Some of which I do not even recognize. I need a vacation from thinking about all of this work.

Serbia / Zastava

So I began this article with the word “Serbia”, and I got to thinking I do not know specifically where it is, other than the approximate region. I have traveled a good deal, but I am not big on paying close attention… other than to directions to airport locations and rental car GPS instructions. So I did what my Mom always told me, I looked up “Serbia” on Google… No, she never specifically told me to look up Serbia on Google… You know what I mean.

The Republic of Serbia is a landlocked country that resides between Southeast and Central Europe. It borders Hungary to the north, Romania to the northeast, Bulgaria to the southeast, North Macedonia to the south, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the west, and Montenegro to the southwest. None of that description helped me, but a map did.

With approximately 6.6 million inhabitants, depending on your perspective on the Albanian border conflict, Serbia could be the Tennessee of eastern Europe. Serbia has a $1.3 billion defense industry, comprised of 200 companies. Founded in 1853, Zastava Arms in one of the 200 companies, with the Serbian government a 48% partner.

Zastava’s revenue was $35 million in the most recent year, with 20% civilian product and 80% defense contract sales. Zastava is neither a casual producer of knock off AKs, or an inexperienced manufacturer of firearms.

Zastava ZPAPM70

The first two parts of this series have held up pretty well in detail and presentation. They are:

Zastava’s ZPAPM70 AK Derivative Part I
Zastava’s ZPAPM70 AK Derivative Part II

The chief difference between then and now is the MSRP, which has increased from $999.99 in 2022 to $1,409.99 in 2024. A poly stock version’s MSRP is $1,079.99. Specs and features remain the same.

When I wrote the two part review and handload material, I did so from the perspective of someone who would hold an interested in AK type firearms, not from the perspective of someone reviewing the usefulness of an AK. Subsequently, all of the positive review comments in Part I and II stand as written. However, the rifle has been in the safe, its use not called upon for two years.

The honest truth is, there was no application for my purposes. As a hunting rifle, the 7.62×39 cartridge is a little under powered for deer size game. At a hair under 8 lbs, the rifle is too heavy to for my old bones to haul around Maine’s woods.

The sight system is precise, but slow. It is a traditional military ladder sight with an outer range that would never be called upon; a work of fiction and false confidence.

Adding an accessory rail, the rifle was shot with a scope and red dot, both unwieldy and mechanically, perched well above bore centerline. The rifle performed reliably with a silencer in place, but the operating noise from the reciprocating bolt was far from silent. Looked pretty nifty.

The walnut gave the rifle a touch of nostalgia and it is a nicely finish firearm. The 30 round magazine, I think, is necessary for that presentation. Still, it would take 20 or 30 years of deer season to empty its contents. At 12.75″, length of pull is very short. An original AK47 consideration for frigid Eastern European and Russian winters and heavy clothing… the pre-Thinsulate era.

This is all an unfair perspective on the Zastava ZPAPM70 as it was never intended to be a hunting rifle. Pulling out the AK47 selective fire guts is like having a favored pet neutered; it looks the same, but… To me, the Zastava ZPAPM70 falls short for the same reasons. It is a design that has seen its useful days in the rear view mirror.

And here’s Buddy….

This is Buddy. Like me, it is very old. The lower is High Standard. I have no idea what the upper is or, for that matter, any of the other pieces. It was originally purchased as a home for an Alexander ARMS .50 Beowulf upper.

Over the years it has been the test mule for every part that has been reviewed and every handload that has been developed for the AR15 platform on Real Guns®. This is the 300 Blackout configuration, and there is a 5.56 NATO upper that also sees similar service.

While its aesthetics are less than exciting, both 300 Blackout and 5.56 NATO configurations shoot better than MOA with supersonic loads, both are rock solid reliable in function. I would never put them up after a project unless they were in that condition. So why talk about this AR? Because, like the Zastava ZPAPM70, it is an impractical firearm for my routine applications, however, it is a better choice for my security applications.

The AR is lighter, as reliable and as, or more, powerful with the right upper. The AR is easier to configure, parts are readily available, more parts and accessories are available, more calibers are available in barrels, bolts and assembled uppers. Sight mounting is easy and variable. And, I can leave it alone, change none of those things, and it will function as well as it did years ago.

And that is why, a great looking, high quality Zastava ZPAPM70 sits in the safe. It remains an excellent example of an AK derivative, quality fit and finish, reliable function. All dressed up, but…