Zastava M57 and M70A: The Yugoslavian Tokarevs

May 28, 2021

Just like with their Kalashnikovs, the Yugoslavians put their own twist on a famous Soviet weapon when they developed their M57 Tokarev pistol. Widely available both as original military surplus and new production, these guns are more than just historical relics.

Zastava Tokarevs That Can Be Found Stateside:

Surplus M57, Blued, 7.62 Tok.
New M57A, Blued, 7.62 Tok.
New M57A, Chrome, 7.62 Tok.
New M70AA, Blued, 9mm
New M70AA, Chrome, 9mm

Tokarevs of any variety may be the most popular foreign military surplus handgun in the United States. They have been imported for a long time, and the sheer scale of their production numbers meant that they were extremely affordable. While some variants, like original Russian TTs, were more collectible and demanded a higher price, clones from places like China, Poland, and Yugoslavia were cheap enough for many to buy them as beaters or glove box guns. While the surplus Tokarevs have dried up some in recent years, as surplus tends to do, Zastava is still manufacturing and importing two new production variants on the classic design- The M57A and the M70AA.

Surplus M57. — Surplus M57 pistol, notice the non-original safety that has been added. Photo:Wikipedia

The Original M57

Tokarevs are a functional copy of John Browning’s early automatic pistol designs. Externally they resemble a Browning 1903, and internally they are very similar to a 1911’s short-recoil tilting-barrel action. Chambered for 7.62x25mm, these single-action pistols saw heavy use in WWII by the Soviets and continued to see use by their allies and guerrilla forces afterward up through today.

They were produced by several countries, and all were nearly identical to the original Russian design besides one: the Yugoslavian M57. Adopted in 1957, Zastava’s Tokarev copy once again mixed things up from the original Soviet design. The M57 is the only Tokarev clone to have a 9-round magazine rather than an 8-rounder, and the grip is appropriately longer to compensate for this. While the unique features of Yugoslavian Kalashnikovs were not always necessarily improvements, the changes they made to their Tokarev are an objective improvement.

Not only does the M57 gain an extra round in the magazine, bringing the total capacity to 10 rather than the usual 9, but the extended pistol grip is also much more ergonomic than the Soviet-pattern clones that often leave part of the shooter’s hand hanging off the bottom. With the longer grip, the M57 begins to feel much more like a 1911 in the hand than the stubbier Tokarevs ever could.

All original military Tokarev designs utilized a half-cock safety, with no other controls on the gun beside a slide-release lever and magazine-eject button. Notably, the magazine release is positioned in the Western style, near the trigger guard where the thumb naturally rests. Most handguns of European design, including the later Soviet Makarov, feature a magazine release on the heel of the pistol-something which is foreign to many American shooters.

Due to the 1968 Gun Control Act, all imported auto-loader handguns are required to have a manual safety, so the Tokarev’s original half-cock wouldn’t cut it. This led to the addition of a variety of aftermarket safeties being installed on these guns to make them legal for sale. Unfortunately, most of these unoriginal safeties are terrible and some even impede the function of the gun. Some can be removed but will leave a small hole in the frame where it was once installed.

7.62 Tokarev

7.62x25mm is well-respected as far as antiquated cartridges go. Surplus and new production ammo is widely available (or at least it was during more normal times), and its bottlenecked design gives it better performance than most would predict. 7.62 Tokarev was derived from the 7.63x25mm cartridge, which was commonly used in C96 Mausers. The Soviets took this cartridge and only slightly modified it for their own use, with the most notable difference being 7.62 Tokarev being loaded much hotter. For this reason, 7.62 Mauser can be fired from a Tokarev pistol, but 7.62 Tokarev should never be fired from a Mauser.

While this other ammo type can be used in a pinch, it defeats much of the point of the hotter 7.62 chambering. Part of the reason why 7.62 Tokarev is so loved is because of the ballistic qualities that it gains from the higher-pressure load. It is quite a high velocity for a handgun cartridge, lending itself to not only good accuracy but some better penetration capabilities as well. It is not “armor-piercing” ammo, and mileage may vary depending on the exact load and armor being tested, but you can find videos online showing 7.62 Tokarev successfully passing through level IIIA soft armor.

The M57A

One of Zastava’s imports of current-production Tokarevs. The M57A is identical in function and caliber to the original M57, but with the addition of a slide-mounted safety at the factory. This allows them to be legally imported and sold without modification. While in my opinion the original half-cock safety was good enough and the addition of a manual safety was an unfortunate molestation of the design, laws are laws and the Zastava-designed safety is much better than the aftermarket abominations found on surplus guns. While surplus Tokarevs often have extra character from their wear, the current M57 imports feature very nice, deep bluing and will be mechanically sounder than those which have potentially had hundreds of rounds put through them.

The M70AA

This version is Zastava’s current production import of their M70A pistol which was adopted in about 1970. The only difference between the M70A and the M57 was the caliber, chambered for 9mm Luger rather than the original 7.62x25mm. The M70AA is simply the updated version of their 9mm Tokarev with the addition of a manual safety for importation purposes. It is otherwise identical to the M57A besides the switch to the more prolific caliber. The magazine still holds 9-rounds, but it is not interchangeable with 7.62 M57 mags.

While I love the historical novelty of genuine military surplus, if you are in the market for a Tokarev as a shooter, Zastava’s new production guns are the best choice to make. They do not suffer from the addition of a shoddy aftermarket safety like most surplus variants have, and it will come in brand-new condition. The larger grip and extended magazine also make the Zastava variants more desirable. With the option between the original caliber and 9mm, available in both blued and chromed versions, either will make a great choice for a shooter or collector looking for a functional pistol with a lot of historical charm.

For more information on Zastava Arms, please visit zastavaarmsusa.com.

New Advanced Mepro MOR Pro Optic From Meprolight

Adam Borisenko

May 27, 2021

The Mepro MOR Pro is a combination device that houses visible and IR lasers within a single optic with features that make it suitable for both daytime and nighttime use.

Features Of The Mepro MOR Pro

Red Dot Reflex Sight
Passive And Active Reticle Illumination
Four Reticle Options
Red Visible Laser
Green Visible Laser
IR Laser

Meprolight is an Israeli-based manufacturer of military and tactical equipment with a long history of real-world use. Their newest red dot sight available to the civilian market is no different, having seen use by the IDF and other special forces groups across the world. The Mepro MOR Pro has the potential to halve the number of gadgets hanging off your rifle. By combining a red dot reflex sight with an IR laser aiming device, the two most common weapon accessories used by special forces groups have been merged into a single unit. This is not only a more efficient use of space, it also brings more weight off the barrel where IR laser units are typically mounted.

Always Powered

The Mepro MOR Pro is powered by four independent energy sources to ensure the reticle is visible no matter what. In daytime environments, the reticle is powered by fiber optics which gather surrounding light. During low light and nighttime use, it is self-illuminated using tritium and/or AA batteries, depending on the reticle’s brightness level which can be manually adjusted. If any of the systems fail, the power source is automatically switched to a working one to keep your weapon functional. The reticle has four options available, a dot, a bullseye, a triangle, and an X.

One Zero

The red dot reticle, IR laser, and visible lasers are all slaved to the same zeroing device. This means that zeroing one of them zeroes all of them. Zeroing all systems independently would be a nightmare and a waste of ammo, so this feature is crucial for the Mepro MOR Pro’s smooth operation.

Durable

Designed as a military optic, the MOR Pro had to be tough. Meprolight claims it can operate “under all weather and temperature conditions.” While it would be impressive to see that put to the test in the Arctic or Death Valley, Meprolight’s promotional video where they dunk it into a bucket of dirty water was proof enough for me that it is adequately robust.

All the systems work in conjunction with one another to allow seamless transitions between day and night operations in any environment. It’s no wonder that the Mepro MOR Pro has been seeing increased use with special forces units around the globe considering that it is such a versatile device. It was clearly designed not only for government use but government purchase as well, with a street price of over $1,000 per unit. With that kind of price tag, this optic isn’t for everybody, but not everybody needs an IR laser either. If you foresee yourself going bump in the night anytime soon though, this might just be the perfect complementary pairing for your NODs.

For more from Meprolight, please visit meprolight.com.

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Tikka T3x: Three New Models For 2021

Elwood Shelton

May 27, 2021

Tikka keeps new T3x rifles rolling with three new models, each with interesting twists to the popular design.

Granted, folks love the Tikka T3x for several reasons—not the least the Finnish rifle doesn’t dent the pocketbook and overperforms its price point. There’s another facet to the infatuation with the bolt-action generally not consider outside of true Tikka geeks. You can modify them to no end and aftermarket parts are as common as bluegrass in front yards. Still, the subsidiary of Sako aims to please the off-the-rack crowd as much as possible, thus continues to turn out new riffs on the class rifle.

For 2021, Tikka has introduced three new T3x models: T3x Super Varmint, T3x Lite Roughtech Ember and T3x Varmint Hunter. Each is a twist on existing models but provided a more dialed-in variation for shooters on the search for just the perfect rifle for their tastes. And while they do have some intriguing wrinkles, they all share some of the major features common to all T3x rifles. This is good because they’re the assets that make Tikka a hit.

At The Heart

Overall, accuracy is one of the big selling points of the T3x, which starts with an excellent action. Closed top, the actions tend to resist flex more than the nearly ubiquitous open-top action found in the T3x’s price range. This feature alone has made it a go-to option for long-range shooters with tight purse strings, but hunters also appreciate the rifle’s on-target nature. To that end, evolving the system from the T3 to the T3x, Tikka opened the receiver more making it easier to load one round at a time. Mating it with a cold-hammer-forged barrel, identical in process to how Sako manufacturer’s they’re tubes, creates quite a foundation.

To this, the T3x also offers a slew of other worthwhile features including a snappy adjustable trigger, detachable box magazine, Picatinny optics rail on most models, metallic bolt shroud (the T3’s was polymer) and steel recoil lug (aluminum on the T3). Additionally, at least on certain models, Tikka integrated several modular features, particularly on the stock, such as interchangeable pistol grips and fore-end. This isn’t universal. Finally, though not uniform across the catalog, the T3x generally boasts a much nicer bolt handle than comparable rifles, giving it much better handling characteristics.

Tikka T3x Super Varmint

A long favorite and flexible T3 model, Tikka has finally introduced the Super Varmint to the T3x line. The stock is what gets hunters and precision shooters drooling alike. Fully adjustable for length of pull (via spacers) and comb height, the rifle modifies to fit any shooter. Additionally, the synthetic stock is a Roughtech model, which has tactile texturing to its surface, giving you a better grip no matter the weather conditions. Other notables include a 23.7-inch heavy varmint profile barrel, 5/8-24 threaded muzzle, two-stage trigger and fluted bolt with an oversized knob. The T3x Super Varmint is available in .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester, 6.5×55 SE, .270 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC.

Tikka T3x Lite Roughtech Ember

Designed for the utmost ease in the field, the T3x light has been a favorite of backcountry hunters and shooters who require a nimble iron. As its name implies, the Roughtech Ember enhances the platform with Tikka’s grippy stock finish. Furthermore, the gunmaker shaves a few more ounces outfitting the rifle with a fluted stainless-steel barrel. Tikka has yet to release the weight of the rifle—in addition to other specs—but if it follows the like of the T3x Lite, it will prove light. The older model tips the scales at between 6.4 and 6.6 pounds, depending on caliber. As to the Roughtech Ember’s chamberings, that’s behind the veil too. Expect it to follow the original Lite with offerings in .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Winchester Short Magnum, .300 Winchester Short Magnum and 6.5 PRC.

Tikka T3x Varmint Hunter

On the surface, the T3x seems fairly self-explanatory—the T3 with the T3x upgrades and thrown into a walnut stock. You’re not wrong and if it ended there Tikka would have a pretty solid classic-looking varmint system. Drill down into the heavy varmint barrel, however, and there’s some pretty dandy stuff going on with its small-bore chambers—namely twist rates. Both the .223 Remington and .22-250 Remington come with multiple twist rates, the latter caliber a bit more exciting given in addition to the typical 1:14” twist, it is also available with a 1:8” twist. Pretty rare in production rifles and brimming with potential. The faster twist means the rifle can stabilize heavier bullets, in the 80-grain neighborhood; given the .22-250 has ample case capacity of the caliber the Varmint Hunter could flirt with shooting a country mile. Outside the small-bore options, the rifle is also available in .222 Remington, .243 Winchester, 6.5×55 SE, 7mm-08 Remington, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor and .270 Winchester Short Magnum.

For more information on Tikka's T3x rifles, please visit tikka.fi/en-us.

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Zastava ZPAP85: An AK Pistol In America’s Favorite Caliber

Adam Borisenko

May 27, 2021

The ZPAP85 is Zastava’s AK pistol offering in 5.56x45mm. It is one of the only currently imported 5.56 AK variants available and serves up some potential advantages over traditional 7.62 AKs.

What Is A ZPAP85?

Semi-Auto AK Pistol In 5.56x45mm
Made In Serbia
Based On Zastava M85
Krinkov-Style Rear Sight

Much of what can be said about the ZPAP85 is also true for the ZPAP92, which we already covered. We’ll hit the high points of the ZPAP85 here but for more information and history check out our article on the ZPAP92.

Capitalist Cartridge For A Commbloc Carbine

Of the two currently imported Zastava AK pistols, the distinct feature of the ZPAP85 is its caliber. The ZPAP85 is chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO, unlike the ZPAP92 which is in the classic 7.62x39mm. There are pros and cons to this caliber choice, and careful consideration should be taken before purchasing any 5.56 AK to make sure it’s right for you.

An obvious advantage to the 5.56 chambering is the lighter recoil impulse. A shooter of any skill level will be able to shoot tighter groups and do it faster with a 5.56 AK when compared to the chunkier 7.62 versions. Keeping your sights on target is objectively easier when firing a projectile with less mass.

The 5.56 cartridge is also higher velocity and flatter shooting than 7.62×39, lending itself to increased accuracy. Normally 5.56 also has excellent wounding capabilities, but here we get to our first downside of the ZPAP85. 5.56 gains its excellent wound-producing capabilities from velocity rather than mass. The projectile was designed to yaw, deform or fragment when entering soft tissue at above ~2,500 FPS, creating larger or multiple wound channels and cavitation. As its lethality is dependent on velocity, 5.56 becomes less effective out of shorter barrels. A 10-inch AR barrel firing M855 only barely achieves 2,500 FPS at the muzzle, meaning the round’s chances of upsetting significantly drop after 25-50 yards. 7.62×39’s velocity is not nearly as affected by barrel length, giving it relatively consistent performance independent of the platform.

It is important to recognize that the difference in performance between a ZPAP85 and a 5.56 gun with a 16-inch barrel is much more substantial than the difference between a 16-inch ZPAP and a ZPAP92. That being said, 5.56 out of a 10-inch barrel is certainly still lethal and can be more than adequate in a CQB role, especially when factoring in the potential for faster follow-up shots.

Another potential advantage of 5.56 is dependent on the individual. Being as we live in America, home of the AR-15, most shooters have more 5.56 stored away than any other caliber. Getting into a new caliber can be daunting, especially with the prices and availability right now. For those looking for an AK to shoot who already have thousands of 5.56 rounds stockpiled, having an AK in the same caliber is alluring. Keep in mind, however, that you will also likely need more magazines, which leads us to yet another downside of 5.56 AKs.

Even if you already have the ammo, if you buy a ZPAP85 you will probably also want more than the one mag that is included with the gun. 5.56 AK mags are the least common and most expensive AK mags of the three most common calibers- 7.62, 5.45, and 5.56. They are available, but you will spend more time finding them and pay more for them than you would for a surplus AKM or AK-74 mag.

The M85

In Yugoslavian military service, the M85 carbine was derived from the M80 rifle, the 5.56 version of their prolific M70. Like we discussed in our ZPAP92 article, both of these carbines were the Yugoslavian response to the Soviet development of the AKS-74U, which was their submachine gun/PDW version of the AK-74. These weapons were intended for use by vehicle crews and other soldiers who may benefit from the extra compactness.

This variant is not as prolific in global conflicts or military service as the M92 due to its caliber and is mainly a commercial export weapon at this point.

ZPAP85

All major details of the ZPAP85 are identical to the ZPAP95. They are both made using Zastava’s newest generation of 1.5mm thick stamped receivers and bulged front trunnions. They both have chrome-lined 10-inch barrels, hinged top covers, and Krinkov-style rear sights. Neither have a scope rail, and both are threaded for a 26×1.5 LH pitch. Besides the caliber, the only other significant difference between the two is the ZPAP85’s lack of a pre-drilled rear trunnion.

The ZPAP92’s rear trunnion comes pre-drilled and ready to accept a variety of brace or sling mounting hardware sold by Zastava, and I do not understand why the ZPAP85 does not as well. There are plenty of other AK brace mounting options available, some that require permanent modification to the gun and others that do not, so regardless you will be able to find one that works for you even if it requires a little extra drilling.

I am only aware of two other 5.56 AK pistols that have been imported into the United States-the Bulgarian Arsenal SAM7K series, and Polish Mini Beryls from FB Radom. While these are both still technically current imports, they are also both rarer and more expensive than the ZPAP85. While there may be some desirable aspects of the Arsenal and FB Radom guns, Zastava’s ability to provide a consistent flow of AKs at a relatively competitive price point has ensured their position in the market above the Bulgarian or Polish manufacturers.

If you are in the market for a 5.56 AK and money is of no issue, the other options are worth checking out, but for most people, the ZPAP85 will be their best and likely only choice. The ZPAP85 is undoubtedly a fine firearm, but its quirks prevent it from reaching the popularity of classic 7.62 AKs like the ZPAP92. If you are a first-time AK buyer, I’d recommend getting something else. But if you are looking to expand your AK collection into a new caliber, the ZPAP85 is a high-quality and available option.

For more info on Zastava Arms, please visit zastavaarmsusa.com.

New Guns And Gear May 2021

Gun Digest Editors

May 27, 2021

Looking for a new iron or piece of kit to enhance the one you already own? Check out these seven new bits of guns and gear to grow your firearms wish list. This month, it's custom and collectible guns.

What Are The New Collectable And Custom Guns:

Taylor’s & Company Gunfighter Defender
Mossberg Gold Reserve Sporting Series
Browning Buck Mark Plus Vision UFX
SK Customs: ‘The Mana’
Uberti USA Hardin 1875 No. 3 2nd Model Top-Break
Volquartsen Mamba-X
Masterpiece Arms 9mm DS9 Hybrid Pistol

Taylor’s & Company Gunfighter Defender

No discussion of collectable guns is complete without an 1873 Single Action Army of some sort. Taylor’s & Company has a doozy joining its roster for 2021: the Gunfighter Defender. Essentially modeled on the original Gunfighter, the six-gun is outfitted with the Runnin’ Iron model’s lowered and wider spur, for a faster cocking time and better handling for mounted shooting. Additionally, Taylor’s & Company opted for 1860 Army grips, longer and wider than the traditional Navy type, making it more comfortable for larger hands. They’re walnut too—that, along with color-case hardened frame, gives the gun real throwback appeal. Available in .357 Magnum/.38 Special and .45 Colt, the Gunfighter Defender has a competitive edge with plenty of Old West flare. MSRP: Starting at $654

Mossberg Gold Reserve Sporting Series

Heirloom looks at a working gun’s price. What’s not to love about Mossberg’s new over/under shotgun line. In all, there are three models in three gauges—12- and 20-gauge and .410 bore—including two top-end options—the 30-inch barrel Black Label and adjustable-stock Super Sporting. No matter the choice, the Gold Reserve delivers, especially in aesthetics. Rich scrollwork on polished silver or blued receivers capped off with jeweled actions and attractive gold inlays on the underside add class to the guns. The embellishment is further enhanced by an attractive stick of Grade A black walnut, cut-checkering on the grips and forend to boot. Rounding out the package are vent-rib barrels, fiber-optic front bead, shell ejector and set of five extended chokes. MSRP: Starting at $983

Browning Buck Mark Plus Vision UFX

A custom Buck Mark? Not quite. But the Plus Vision UFX is so purpose-built that it certainly flirts with the designation. Among the lightest option in the famed straight blowback rimfire line, the 27-ounce semi-auto is dialed in for fast and accurate action. Giving the nimble .22 LR an extra gear is a tensioned outer aluminum sleeve cutting down on the 5.9-inch barreled pistol’s bulk. Furthermore, Browning machines the sleeve, not only cutting weight but giving the Plus Vision better heat dispersion qualities. Did we mention it has a threaded muzzle (1/2”-28 TPI), so it’s suppressor ready? Though, if you don’t run a can, the factory-installed muzzle brake erases any muzzle flip. MSRP: $719

SK Customs: ‘The Mana’

In Polynesian culture, Mana is the spiritual life-force energy that permeates the universe. SK Customs captures this mystical power perfectly in a divine custom Government-sized Colt 1911. Highly polished royal blue slide and frame are accented with superbly etched Polynesian motifs, 24-karat gold inlaid to give it one-of-a-kind appeal. Further offsetting this incredible pistol, ivory scrimshaw owl grips and a diamond-studded front sight. SK doesn’t stop there, gold-plating all the hardware, including magazine release, grip screws, barrel bushing and hammer. And the gun is built to perform too, with a high-polished stainless steel national match barrel. Only 200 of this master work have been created. Who are the lucky collectors who will add one to their trove of treasures? MSRP: N/A

Uberti USA Hardin 1875 No. 3 2nd Model Top-Break

Enough drooling on the magazine already. It’s called the Hardin, and it’s spectacular. Named after the famed Texas gunslinger John Wesley Hardin, Uberti’s Schofield replica maintains the iconic six-gun’s lines with a dash of modern flare. Namely an eye-catching color-case hardened frame and striking blue-steel barrel, wrapped up with deep black simulated horn grips. It’s a right pretty addition to any cowpoke’s collection. Available in .45 Colt and .357 Magnum/.38 Special, it’s also an easy pistola to feed, so plan on hours of enjoyment. While Hardin was a Colt man most of his career, he was known to wield an 1875 from time to time and with great effect. For certain, if he was around today, he wouldn’t turn up his nose as his newly minted namesake revolver. MSRP: $1,479

Volquartsen Mamba-X

When it comes to a winning margin, Volquartsen leaves no stone unturned. With the Black Mamba-X, it’s the sighting system, more precisely how it mounted, that gives the .22 LR pistol a gold-medal edge. A multiple-hole mounting system on the slide allows competitors the perfect placement of a red dot for lightning-fast sight acquisition. They’re universal too, meaning whatever you run works on top of the LLV-4X 4.5-inch Competition Upper—from Burris all the way through Vortex and everything in between. The Mamba is familiar to handle too, thanks to Volquartsen building the pistol on the iconic Ruger MK IV frame. Accurized with 2.5-pound trigger break, the system is easy to slip into and excel with. MSRP: $1,342

Masterpiece Arms 9mm DS9 Hybrid Pistol

Is there a more aptly named company than Masterpiece Arms? Everything that rolls off its lines is a stroke of genius, including its latest souped-up race gun. A wide-body, double-stack 1911 pistol line from Freedom Gunworks, MPA tweaks and messages the DS9 Hybrid to run as fast as it looks. Built from pure barstock and billet steel—no MIM, castings or forgings here—the 9mm is made for rough play and precision performance. In addition to uncompromising frame-to-slide match-up and an accuracy-enhancing bull barrel, MPA utilizes nothing but high-end components. Koenig hammer, sear and disconnect, Wolff Springs custom machined aluminum trigger shoe and a true one-piece toolless guide rod—the whole nine yards. A 2-pound trigger break, crisp as autumn, and absolute control leaves little doubt the handmade DS9 is worth every penny. MSRP: $2,999

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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New MatchKing Competition Ammo Line From Sierra Bullets

Adam Borisenko

May 26, 2021

Sierra Bullets have been making high-quality, award-winning projectiles since the late 1940s. Now that they have expanded their production to include fully-loaded factory ammunition, Sierra is introducing its long-awaited MatchKing Competition ammo line in four popular rifle calibers.

What Calibers Are Available?

223 Remington
308 Winchester
6mm Creedmoor
6.5 Creedmoor

A well-engineered projectile is integral to precision rifle shooting, and the founders of Sierra understood this when they set up shop during the bullet shortage following WWII. They’ve continued to produce bullets for precision shooting ever since, but have recently branched out into producing complete, factory-loaded ammunition.

While their projectiles were always of sufficient accuracy, that’s only half the battle when it comes to loading ammunition for competition. Up until now, shooters of Sierra projectiles were responsible for reloading their own ammo, and there was plenty of room for error. Many may still prefer to handload their own ammunition to their exact liking, but for those who don’t have time to reload or who have sufficient faith in Sierra Bullets, their MatchKing Competition ammo can now be bought factory-loaded right off of store shelves (if you can find any).

Their new MatchKing Competition line is available in six flavors—four calibers with two different grain options for two of them. Those options are .223 Remington in 69 or 77 grain, .308 Winchester in 168 and 175 grain, 6mm Creedmoor in 107 grain, and 6.5mm Creedmoor in 140 grain. They are made with tight tolerances using high-quality brass casings to give the most consistent performance. The casings can be reloaded of course, but you’ll be hard-pressed to load them as consistently as originally done by Sierra.

Sierra MatchKing Competition ammo is available in 20-round boxes. The .223 caliber options are priced at $39.99 per box and all other calibers are $54.99 per box.

For more information on Sierra Bullets, please visit sierrabullets.com.

Cugir Micro Draco: When Small Isn’t Small Enough

Adam Borisenko

May 26, 2021

The Cugir Micro Draco, with its 6.25-inch-long barrel, is the smallest AK pistol on the market. Made in Cugir, Romania, it is of the same quality as its bigger brothers.

How The AK Pistol Differs From A Standard Draco:

6.25 Inch Barrel
Shorter Gas Piston
U-Notch Rear Sight
Non-Standard Handguard
A2 Flash Hider

As far as imported AKs go, Cugir has a reputation for solidly built, no-frills, military-grade Kalashnikovs, and the Micro Draco is no exception. When you pop off the dust cover, you’ll find almost all the same guts as you would inside a standard WASR (Cugir full-sized AK), including the chrome-lined barrel. This means that reliability and durability should be non-issues with the Micro Draco as well. The Micro Draco was derived from the standard Draco which was based on the Romanian military PM md.90 short rifle. There is no military equivalent model of the pistol, as it was built from the ground up purely as a commercial export.

Small But Effective

Two small internal differences from the standard Draco are the shorter gas system and the inclusion of a buffer. While the Micro Draco uses a similar combination hooded front sight and gas block to the standard Draco model, its gas tube and piston are even shorter. The buffer prevents the extra short bolt carrier from over traveling and popping off the rails within the receiver, keeping the weapon running as it should.

7.62×39 has surprisingly good ballistic performance out of short barrels. The standard Draco with its 12.25-inch barrel only loses about 300 FPS of velocity compared to a standard AK’s 16.3-inch barrel, and the shorter Micro Draco only loses about 100-200 FPS more depending on ammo type. While this means that the Micro Draco is certainly less punchy and has less reach than its longer-barreled counterparts, its performance is more than acceptable for certain applications.

The rear sight on the Micro Draco has been simplified and moved rearward onto the dust cover. Since the dust cover is not hinged and is held in place only with spring tension, the rear sight will not exactly be sniper accurate. For a weapon of this style, however, the quick-acquisition pistol-style rear notch gets the job done just fine. If you were planning on mounting optics or other accessories on your Micro Draco, its non-standard furniture and lack of a scope rail will make it a challenge.

Micro Draco Rear Sight. — Micro Draco rear sight.

Customization

The Micro Draco ships with laminate wood furniture that is of nicer quality than the wood found on normal WASR rifles, but unlike a WASR or Draco the Micro Draco’s furniture is proprietary. It features a finger-stop style design carved into the wood to help prevent the shooter from blowing off their own fingers, something that is a genuine concern for guns with this short of a barrel.

Aftermarket furniture options for this design are limited but available. There are custom shops that make wood furniture and at least one producer of a tactical rail system, the latter of which costs half the price of a Micro Draco itself. While expensive, if you are trying to build the smallest functional AK possible, the addition of rails will make mounting optics and other gear much easier.

Unlike a Zastava ZPAP92, the Micro Draco’s rear trunnion has not been pre-drilled to accommodate any brace mounting hardware. There are still plenty of other AK brace options available that mount through different methods, and of course there is always the option to register and SBR it with a real stock installed.

The Micro Draco comes standard with an A2-style birdcage flash hider, mounted on standard 14×1 LH threads. This leaves you with plenty of options for a muzzle device, but with a barrel this short a flash hider is probably a better choice than a muzzle brake. 7.62×39 out of a 6-inch barrel is concussive as hell and a real flame thrower too. Half the fun of a Micro Draco is watching it breathe fire after the sun goes down.

Micro Dracos may have been designed more for fun than practicality, but that doesn’t mean they can’t excel in a PDW role. With the addition of a folding brace or stock, the AK pistol can be an extremely compact and effective weapon for defending yourself. If an AK is what you want to use to defend the narrow corners of your home or the cab of your truck, the AK pistol just might be your best option.

For more information on Micro Dracos, please visit the importer's site at centuryarms.com.

Ammo Brief: Heavy-Hitting .338 Winchester Magnum

Gun Digest Editors

May 25, 2021

A well balanced hunter, the .338 Winchester Magnum is fit to take nearly any game on God's green earth.

What Makes The .338 Magnum Such A Capable Hunting Cartridge:

Shoots almost as flat across 500 yards as simliar .30-caliber magnums.
Designed to hand the heaviest game in North America, including brown bears.
Only slightly less powerful than the .374 H&H Magnum, though not legal to hunt some game in African countries.

Historical Notes

Announced in 1958, the .338 Winchester Magnum is another of the series based on the .458 Winchester necked down. Initially available only in the Winchester Model 70 Alaskan bolt-action rifle, Remington adopted it for the 700 Series bolt action. Some of the European rifle makers also chamber it, as does Ruger for the Model 77 and No. 1 rifles, Mossberg in the Patriot line, Savage in the 110 series, as well as many custom and semi-custom rifles. Browning’s BAR autoloader also chambers it.

General Comments

With proper bullets, the .338 Winchester Magnum shoots almost as flat across 500 yards as similar loads in the various .30-caliber magnums—the difference amounts to only a few inches more drop. Designed to handle the heaviest North American big game, the .338 has also done well in Africa on the larger varieties of plains game.

Although slightly less powerful than the .375 H&H Magnum, the .338 is better suited for North American hunting conditions and game. It’s a well-balanced cartridge for anything from elk through moose and grizzly bear, under almost any situation. It could also serve very well for deer or antelope, even though it’s overly powerful for this class.

Like the .300 Win. Mag., the .338 Winchester would make an excellent one-gun cartridge for the worldwide hunter who has to travel light—though the .338 is automatically barred in some African countries in which the .375 is the minimum caliber. The .338 continues to enjoy well-deserved popularity. Winchester, Remington, Federal and other makers load this ammunition commercially.

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Cartridges of the World, 16th Edition.

Raise Your Ammo IQ:

Beyond The 6.5 Creedmoor: The Other 6.5 Cartridges
The Lonesome Story Of The Long-Lost 8mm
Why The .300 H&H Magnum Still Endures
.350 Legend Vs .450 Bushmaster: Does One Win Out For Hunting?

Zastava ZPAP92: The Serbian Krinkov

Adam Borisenko

May 25, 2021

The ZPAP92 is Zastava’s semi-auto export pistol version of their M92 military carbine. This AK pistol has the same quality and firepower as their full-sized ZPAP in a package that’s half the size.

What Is A ZPAP92?

Semi-Auto AK Pistol In 7.62x39mm
Made In Serbia
Based On Zastava M92
Krinkov-Style Rear Sight
Hinged Top Cover
Versatile Rear Trunnion Accessory Options

Zastava’s M70 series of AK rifles have been extremely popular with both military users and civilian sports shooters for decades. Now based in Serbia, Zastava’s newest generation of semi-auto AKs are known as ZPAPs and are some of the nicest and well-built options on the American market. If you’d like to learn more about the history of Zastava Arms, our previous article goes more in-depth.

The M92

Yugoslavia’s AK designs are so distinct because they were built from the ground up. While Warsaw Pact members like Romania had help from the Soviets to develop their own AKM copies, the Yugoslavians’ unique political independence meant that they were on their own when it came to designing their small arms. They succeeded when they reverse-engineered the AK into their M70 rifle, giving birth to a whole new family of Kalashnikovs.

For the same reasons, Yugoslavia also had to design their own DMR and PDW if they wanted weapons in the same vein as the Soviet SVD or AKS-74U. Their homegrown answer to the SVD was the M76, and their take on the famous Krinkov was the M92.

Technically the M85 carbine came first, but it is identical in every way to the M92 besides being chambered for 5.56. The M92 being chambered for the more prolific 7.62×39 cartridge allowed it to see more success than the M85. With its 10-inch barrel and underfolding stock, the M92 was a popular choice for vehicle crewmen and special forces alike. The M92 has seen military service from the Balkans to Africa to the Middle East.

Zastava M92 military carbine. Photo: Wikipedia

ZPAP92

While the ZPAP92 is based on the M92 in concept, as far as technical details go it is more similar to the full-sized ZPAPs, and that’s a good thing. The military M92’s receiver does not feature the bulged RPK-style front trunnion that the contemporarily produced M70 and ZPAP rifles do. The ZPAP92 has all the same qualities that consumers have come to expect from Zastava AKs, like the strengthened receiver and front trunnion, blued metal finish, and chrome-lined barrel.

Like the ZPAP M70 rifle, the ZPAP92 takes Yugo pattern 3-vent hole handguards and standard AK pistol grips. The barrel is threaded for 26×1.5 LH pitch and comes with a thread protector. This is not the standard AKM 14×1 LH pitch, but there are still plenty of muzzle device options out there that fit it. Note that the ZPAP92’s thread protector comes welded on the gun for legal importation, but once in your possession the weld can be easily and legally ground off.

When it comes to mounting optics, there are options for the ZPAP92 but they are different than for the ZPAP M70. This is because, unlike the M70, the ZPAP92 does not have a scope rail on the side of the receiver. There are pros and cons to this fact. One benefit of not having a scope rail is that it will not interfere with a left-side folding stock or brace. A downside, obviously, is that the quickest and easiest way to mount an optic to an AK is no longer an option.

Another feature found on the ZPAP92 provides for a different mounting option, however. The AKS-74U inspired hinged dust cover provides a solid lockup between the cover and the receiver. This is necessary for retaining zero because the Krinkov-style rear iron sights have been moved back onto the dust cover, unlike standard AKs which have loose dust covers that make mounting any sight on them a bad idea. The zero-retaining hinge mechanism can facilitate aftermarket Yugo pattern dust covers which have Picatinny rails mounted on top, providing space for solidly mounting a modern optic.

If you plan on effectively utilizing your ZPAP92’s sights, whether they be iron or glass, you will need something to stabilize the gun. This can be accomplished with either a pistol brace, sling, or stock if you go the SBR route. Attaching a sling or pistol brace are the easiest options for this, both physically and legally. The ZPAP92’s rear trunnion has been pre-drilled to accommodate three types of mounting accessories sold by Zastava: a sling loop, a 1913 rail adaptor, or a buffer tube adaptor. These allow for the attachment of either a sling or most common pistol braces with the appropriate mounting hardware.

ZPAP92 Pre-drilled rear trunnion and mounting options.

While most people who buy AK pistols may do so for the fun or cool factor, with light modification they can become very functional little guns. Of the currently imported AK pistols, ZPAP92s are a very well-made option, but keep in mind that they take proprietary Yugo pattern parts and the thicker receiver results in a gun that’s stronger but also heavier than an AKM pattern AK pistol. For those looking for their next truck or backpack gun that’s reliable and built like a tank, the Zastava ZPAP92 is worth considering.

For more info on Zastava Arms, please visit zastavaarmsusa.com.

ACRO P-2: Aimpoint’s Always-Ready Red Dot

Elwood Shelton

May 25, 2021

With an insane amount of run time between battery changes, the ACRO P-2 gives shooters peace of mind the red dot is ready when they are.

How The Next-Gen ACRO Is Enhanced:

CR2032 battery offers 50,000 hours of run time.
Ultra efficient LED emitter sips energy, while producing a crips 3.5 MOA red dot.
Controls moved to avoid errant adjustment.
Same rock-solid construction used in the P-1.

What’s every shooter’s concern with a red dot? While there might be a multitude of answers, one voiced by most is: Will the dang thing work when I need it to?

Unless you’re buying off Alibaba, generally this isn’t a concern over the quality of the device, but how quickly it sucks power. It’s difficult to tick off 10,000 or 15,000 hours of run time in your head and gauge how much juice a battery has remaining. Then again, you almost don’t have to with the new Aimpoint ACRO P-2.

Battery changes, yeah, they’re still part of the deal with the company’s next-generation Advanced Combat Reflex Optic (ACRO for short). But the company has made them a blue-moon occurrence with the device offering up 50,000 hours of run time on a single CR2032 battery. For those who don’t count their lives in 60-minute increments that’s 5.7 years. Thank those Swedish engineers for the upgrade, opting for the high-capacity battery, thus giving you a touch more coin for ammo, not to mention peace of mind.

ACRO Fighting Fit

Improving battery life plays in well to the overall ethos of the ACRO P-2. From the beginning, the red dot helped defined rock-solid emitter systems—the type you’d bet your life on. Where hand wringing comes in on this style of sight is debris, dust or moisture interrupting the projection of the red dot onto the window. Aimpoint figured the answer was easy as hopscotch, just enclose the dang thing then all the crud from the field stays, well … in the field. At the same tick, shooters reap the spoils, one of the lightest systems out there, one with a minimal footprint to boot. Aimpoint isn’t alone in employing the concept, the Holosun HE509T and Sig Sauer Romeo2 also follow the same formula

Aimpoint didn’t muck with its winning formula in the creation of the ACRO P-2. In fact, the sight follows much of the same layout as its older sibling. Nice, given the battery compartment is on the side, so you can swap it out without taking the optic off and losing your zero. But they did tinker around with a bit more than the battery. Also getting an upgrade is the LED emitter, which is higher efficiency, but produces a 3.5 MOA dot equally as sharp as the P-1.

Brass Tacks Of The ACRO P-2

Of other notables, the only drastic interface change on the P-2 is Aimpoint moving the brightness controls nearer the battery case. The idea is to protect the settings from fat fingers and other errant adjustments. From there, the new ACRO is fairly familiar to those who know the P-1. This includes a sealed high-strength aluminum case, flat panes of glass on both ends, 10 brightness settings (4 night vision, 6 daylight) and a variety of mounting options making it compatible with a wide swath of firearms. The 1x, parallax-free optic also adds next to nothing to a firearm, weighing all of 2.1 ounces and measuring in at 1.9x 1.3 x 1.2 inches—fit for rifle, pistol or shotgun.

As far as price, it is an Aimpoint, so the $599 MSRP should come as a shock to anyone. But even in the face of a bevy of less-expensive, enhanced red dots hitting the market in recent months, the uncompromising shooter most likely will still find the ACRO P-2 a value.

For more information on the ACRO P-2, please visit aimpoint.com.

Zero In On Aiming Solutions:

Best Concealed Carry Optics: Red Dot, Green Dot Or Iron Sights?
7 Out-Of-Sight Optics For Every Range And Budget
Red Dot Optics And MOA
Gear: Lighting It Up With A Laser Sight

Swampfox Liberator II: Second Generation Improvements

Adam Borisenko

May 24, 2021

Up-and-coming American optics manufacturer Swampfox recently introduced their second-generation Liberator red-dot: the Liberator II. For rifles, pistols or shotguns, the Liberator II is an affordable way to bring your gun to the next level.

Liberator II Overview:

Improved Raw Battery Life
New Shake N’ Wake Sleep Feature
Crisper Dot
Two Included Mounts
Shock Proof
Waterproof

Swampfox is a relatively new American optics company that focuses on providing quality sighting solutions at an affordable price. As their red dot-sights grow in popularity, they continued to refine their designs to bring improvements over the original models. This started with their pistol optics when they introduced second-generation versions. Now, their Liberator sight is getting the same treatment.

Liberator II on low profile mount.

Bigger Battery

The Liberator II boasts a much longer battery life than the original Liberator. Swampfox accomplished this by not only raising the raw battery life from 3,000 to 10,000 hours, but by implementing their new Shake N’ Wake technology. While the first Liberator had an auto-off feature that activated after 4 hours, a press of the button was required to wake it up again. The Liberator II now goes to sleep after only four minutes of inactivity, and automatically turns on again after sensing motion. When it eventually comes time to replace the Liberator II’s battery, the convenient placement of the battery compartment on the side of the optic means it can be done while still mounted to the gun. In turn, you don’t lose your zero.

Better Emitter

Swampfox managed to kill two birds with one stone when they improved the Liberator’s emitter. Not only does its higher efficiency raise the optic’s battery life by a factor of three, but also produces a cleaner, crisper red dot for accurate shots up to 200 yards. The 2 MOA dot has ten levels of brightness adjustment, controlled by buttons on the side of the optic. There are eight brightness settings for daylight levels, and two for use with night vision.

With the improved emitter, there are also fewer options for the optic. The Liberator I was available with either a green or a red circle dot reticle. The Liberator II is only available in red, and the reticle is now only a dot rather than a circle dot. This is presumably due to limitations with the new emitter, so it is not known if Swampfox will eventually release a green dot version of the Liberator II.

Liberator II Reticle, only available in red.

Mounting Options

The Liberator II, like the original, comes with two mounts right out of the box. One high, and one low. Attached using Picatinny rail, the high mount is ideal for AR-15s that need the extra height to achieve co-witness with the iron sights. The low mount brings the red dot much closer to the bore height, making it perfect for pistols, shotguns, or rifles with a dropped stock. With these mounting options, the Liberator II is a perfect fit for home-defense, hunting, or competition setups.

Liberator II on High Mount — Liberator II on high mount.

Beat It Up And Get It Wet

Because Swampfox designed the Liberator with such a variety of applications in mind, it certainly needed to handle a variety of abuses as well. It’s one thing to design an optic that can withstand the shock imparted by 5.56 recoil, but .308 and 12 gauge are entirely different animals. Swampfox not only guarantees that the Liberator II can handle the increased forces from higher caliber shooting, but they guarantee it for 50,000 rounds.

It is also fully waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes in addition to being fog and scratch-resistant. While these claims are impressive, a true torture test would help to reveal their veracity. I’m curious if the Liberator II can live up to its waterproof rating after suffering from thousands of rounds fired and sustained abuse in the field. I used to have a waterproof watch and found out the hard way that banging it around for a few months made it considerably less waterproof.

With the Liberator II’s MSRP set at $189.99, Swampfox continues to provide quality optics options for shooters on a budget.

For more information on Swampfox Optics, please visit swampfoxoptics.com.

Zero In On Aiming Solutions:

Best Concealed Carry Optics: Red Dot, Green Dot Or Iron Sights?
7 Out-Of-Sight Optics For Every Range And Budget
Red Dot Optics And MOA
Gear: Lighting It Up With A Laser Sight

Concealed Carry: What About Your Wife?

Richard A. Mann

May 24, 2021

Love your wife? Then let her take her own journey buying a concealed carry handgun and getting trained up on it. You'll both be happier.

Why A Defensive Handgun And Training Are Your Wife's Business:

Being mentally ready for the responsibility of owning a firearm is purely in her court.
She needs to find a firearm that fits her and she's comfortable shootings.
It's more likely a trained professional instructor will provide a positive experience for her first live fire.
You won't strain the complicated interpersonal relationship with your significant other.

Without any intention of sounding like a chauvinistic jerk, What about your wife?

Yes, I know there are women who read Gun Digest, and the question could equally be, What about your husband? However, most Gun Digest readers are men, and a lot of them are married. And, they might be facing a common problem that many gun-toting men experience: how to get their wives to carry a gun to protect themselves.

A woman will be happier carrying a gutn when she controls the process of selecting it and learning how to shoot it.

Too often, attempts to sort this out include the man buying a gun for his wife and then attempting to teach his wife how to shoot it. While this bit of advice might qualify as a fit for the “Hillbilly Wisdom” section of this column, I’ll share it here: There are several things men should never try to do with their wives. Those include hanging wallpaper, picking out paint for the house, changing the oil in your truck … and trying to teach them to shoot.

This is partly because the very complicated interpersonal relationship dynamic between a husband and a wife can be fragile—even in the best relationships. Most men are programmed to be in charge, and when the task is challenging, such as hanging wallpaper or trying to teach someone to shoot, this “in-charge” attitude becomes offensive and a barrier to learning. It’s also partly because few men (read, humans) are actually good at teaching/instructing anything. Just as being an engineer requires a specific skillset, so does being a good teacher.

If you further complicate this process by handing a woman a handgun that doesn’t fit her hand or that she’s not comfortable with, you’ll create a situation that, at best, will end up with no one getting shot and, at worst, a divorce.

More Gun Info For The Ladies:

Best CCW Guns For Women
Concealed Carry 101: Holsters for Women
Tips For Selecting The Best Semi-Automatic Handgun For Women
The Gun Purse And Othe Holster Alternatives For Women
Concealed Carry for Women: Don’t Overthink Concealability

Gun Selection: Lady's Choice

You can pick out sexy underwear for your wife, but you do this for your benefit. She might also wear that sexy negligée, but not because she thinks it’s the most comfortable garment she’s ever had on her body.

So, don’t pick out a gun for your wife. Sure, you can help in the process, but the final decision—the ultimate decision—should be hers. It’s better for her to realize she picked out the wrong gun than it is for her to attempt to please you by trying to make the wrong gun that you picked out work for her.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, there’s no such thing as a “lady’s gun.” There are guns that fit small-sized hands, medium-sized hands and big hands. There are guns with very little recoil, moderate recoil and heavy recoil, just as there are guns with good triggers and bad triggers. There are also guns that seem complicated to operate and those that seem simple. You wouldn’t want your wife picking out a gun for you, and you shouldn’t attempt to pick one out for her.

Training: Turn To The Pros

When it comes to training, you’d be best-served to find a reputable and qualified instructor who can teach your wife. Yeah, I know, it seems as if it ought to be your job. But, here’s the thing: If your wife isn’t already a shooter, that first exposure to gunfire is very important; it needs to result in a positive experience. If it doesn’t, all might be lost. It’s best to risk that experience to a professional.

To help your significant other learn how to shoot a defensive handgun, your best option is to find her some qualified instruction. You’ll both be happier for it!

Oh, but, “I’m a trained firearms instructor,” you might say. Hey—good for you.

The problem here is that if you, as a professional, attempt to teach your wife, not only are you going to have to deal with that very complicated interpersonal relationship dynamic of being married, your stature as an experienced firearms instructor will add additional stresses to the educational process. It’s one thing when couples learn together; it’s another thing entirely when one—who’s a professional—teaches the other.

I learned this the hard way.

Throughout the 13 years I worked in law enforcement, I tried to get my wife to carry a handgun for protection and learn to shoot. It didn’t happen until a friend of hers convinced her to give it a try. They went to Gunsite Academy together. While there, my wife experienced high-quality instruction from someone other than me. She now carries a gun every day. She also knows how to use it, and it’s the gun she wants to carry.

So, what about your wife? She needs encouragement and support. With that, she’ll find a gun that fits her, as well as someone qualified to teach her how to use it. Afterward, you can go to the range together … and she might even out-shoot you. More importantly, somewhere, someday, she might even save your life!

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the August 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Zastava ZPAP: Zero Compromises

Adam Borisenko

May 21, 2021

Zastava has undoubtedly dominated the American AK market this past year, but is that because of their superior quality? Or was it simply because their ZPAP rifles were the most consistently available?

ZPAP Quick Facts:

7.62x39mm Semi-Automatic AK Style Rifle
Based On Yugoslavian M70
Made In Serbia By Zastava
Yugo Pattern Furniture
Yugo Pattern Scope Rail
Blued Metal Finish
Chrome Lined Barrel
Available With Wood Or Synthetic Furniture

The ZPAP M70

The Yugoslavian pattern AK, or M70, has gone through a series of developments both as a military service rifle and civilian sporting rifle to become what it is today. Our previous article on Zastava explains these improvements more in-depth if you want to dig deeper. But the pertinent information is that the current generation of Zastava AKs, the ZPAP, are the best the company has produced.

Zastava ZPAP with dark walnut furniture.

Made with a bulged RPK-style front trunnion, a 1.5mm thick stamped steel receiver, and a chrome-lined barrel, the ZPAP eliminates any past issues of the PAP rifles. With the availability of new production imported AKs reduced to Cugir, WBP Fox, and Zastava, the Serbian arms plant seems to have found a good balance of price and features for the American consumer. Zastava’s AKs have a nicer fit and finish than their Cugir counterparts and are cheaper and more abundant than the Polish Fox rifles to boot. For those looking for an AK that’s as pretty as it is functional, ZPAPs are an excellent choice.

ZPAP Customization

Something worth keeping in mind is the fact that the ZPAP's only compatible furniture component with AKM pattern guns is the pistol grip. While some people may have no problem leaving the rifle in a stock configuration or customizing it with surplus Yugoslavian accessories, those who wish to customize their gun beyond that may experience some difficulty doing so.

As a result of the ZPAP's growing popularity, the aftermarket options have also been expanded. Despite this, AK parts for Yugo pattern guns simply aren’t as common or available as those for AKM pattern ones. A WASR or WBP Fox can accept a far wider variety of furniture—both surplus and aftermarket—than the ZPAPs. If you intend to trick out your AK into a tactical abomination of rails and gadgets, an AKM pattern gun will give you a much easier time.

Considering that the wood furniture model is made from appealing and durable dark walnut, and the polymer version is reportedly very ergonomic and comfortable, it's possible that the ZPAP can fill all your needs right out of the box.

The polymer model’s furniture includes several modern features that may make upgrades unnecessary. The handguard and stock should be very durable considering they are constructed using materials like rubber-coated fiberglass, carbon fiber, and glass-reinforced polymer. Other polymer furniture sets like Magpul’s Zhukov line have been reported to not always survive being mortared on the ground, especially in cold temperatures. While I have not tested the new polymer Zastava furniture, it seems better constructed than most other options on the market, especially for a Yugo pattern gun.

Additionally, the polymer ZPAP’s handguard has three optional segments of Picatinny rail that can be attached for mounting accessories. The stock is adjustable for both length of pull and for the height of the cheek riser. The stock also has four QD sling swivel inserts built into it and comes with a removable recoil mitigating butt pad.

ZPAP polymer handguard with removable picatinny rails. — ZPAP polymer handguard with removable Picatinny rails.

Mounting Glass

Another proprietary feature of the ZPAP is its Yugoslavian pattern scope rail mounted on the left side of the receiver. Like the furniture options, optics and mounts with a Yugo-style rail are less common than their Russian equivalent. While Russian and Belarussian-made military optics can still be purchased for AKs with a standard-spec rail, compatible Yugoslavian optics like the M76 ZRAK scope are rare and expensive. If you want a more functional optic, however, companies like RS Regulate make Yugo-pattern mounts with a Picatinny rail that facilitate the mounting of more modern options.

ZPAP polymer stock stock and Yugo style scope rail. — ZPAP polymer stock and Yugo style scope rail.

The Zastava ZPAP may have some eccentricities due to its Yugoslavian origin, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less of a Kalashnikov. If the non-standard furniture and scope rail don’t bother you, ZPAPs are currently one of the nicest new AKs money can buy. Currently priced in between Cugir WASRs and WBP Foxes, ZPAPs have seen quite a lot of recent success in America. They’re undeniably high-quality rifles, but if the price of WASRs continues to drop to more normal levels, ZPAPs may see a dip in sales unless they follow suit. Until then, ZPAPs continue to be a great option for AK buyers.

For more information on Zastava Arms, please visit zastavaarmsusa.com.

GX4: Taurus Enters The Double-Stack Micro 9mm Game

Adam Borisenko

May 21, 2021

Taurus’s new GX4 is the latest pistol in a recent trend of micro-compact double-stack 9mm pistols intended for concealed carry.

GX4 Features:

Its internal steel frame gives the polymer pistol more rigidity, improving its accuracy potential.
Controls are contoured and recessed helping ensure a smooth draw.
The trigger is a big improvement over previous Tauruses, much snappier and smoother.

The 9mm has become the de facto cartridge for concealed carry pistols. Anything smaller has been deemed too anemic for proper self-defense, and anything larger is difficult to make concealable. Modern manufacturing improvements have allowed companies to finally start making auto-pistols as small as a .380 but with the same stopping power as a typical full-sized duty gun. Magazine capacity has also seen major improvements with the development of double-stack mags only slightly larger than single-stacks of previous generation CCW guns.

Taurus is tackling this market with the new GX4. The gun ships with two flush-fitting 11-round magazines. Taurus also makes extended 13-rounders as well as an 11-rounder with a pinky extension floor plate, both provide the shooter with a more solid grip on the pistol. In both cases, it puts the pistol in the running against other popular options in this class of handgun, with Taurus offering a price advantage.

Glockish

Like many modern handguns, the Taurus GX4’s design takes inspiration from the Glock. It is striker-fired and utilizes a familiar trigger safety. It has no external controls besides a slide stop lever and magazine release button. Like a Glock it has a polymer frame, but it also has an internal steel frame to minimize flexing and provide better engagement with the slide.

Thought was put into the design to tailor the GX4 towards concealed carry. The controls and profile of the gun have been contoured and recessed to ensure a snag-free draw from a waistband. At the same time, aggressive stippling and texturing has been added to the grip, which features swappable backstraps. The stippling provides the shooter with more control over the small GX4, which has snappy recoil like all micro 9mm pistols do.

The trigger is another major area of improvement over older Taurus triggers, which were typically mushy with a very long take-up. The new trigger is reportedly much nicer with a clean break and short reset. Serrations on its flat face also help the shooter maintain control and proper grip angle while firing.

The market can only handle so many pistols of this style. As more companies release their own versions of the micro-compact double-stack 9mm carry gun we will eventually see which survive into the future and which will fall into obscurity. As it stands Sig and Springfield are winning this fight, but companies like Ruger and now Taurus are challenging their position with similarly styled, more affordable options.

The Taurus GX4 has a 3.06 inch barrel and weighs 18.5 ounces unloaded. The MSRP is $392.42.

For more information on the Taurus GX4, please visit taurususa.com.

More Taurus Handguns

Taurus G3 9mm Pistol
The G3c : Carry-Ready 9mm From Taurus
The Taurus 1911 Commander in 9mm
The .460 S&W Taurus Raging Hunter

The Cugir WASR-10: Function Over Form

Adam Borisenko

May 20, 2021

WASR rifles are workhorses and a longstanding fixture of the American AK market. Built tough enough to take a beating and ask for seconds, these Romanian AKMs are still highly sought after despite the availability of shinier, prettier Kalashnikovs.

What Sets The Romanian WASR Apart From Other AKs?

Built With Original Soviet Manufacturing Methods
80,000-100,000 Round Lifespan On Full-Auto
Chrome-Lined Barrel
Standard AKM Pattern Design
Several Available Variants

Romanian-made AKs have been coming into the U.S. from the state-owned arms factory Cugir since the 1990s. While the cost of AKs has exploded this past year, for most of the WASR's importation history the rifle has been one of the most affordable and quality AKs you could buy. Comparatively, WASRs are still typically cheaper than Zastavas or WBP Foxes.

While Cugir’s pistol version of the WASR, the Draco, has been very difficult to find for some time, there seems to be a steady stream of WASRs.

Made To Be A Worker, Not A Looker

WASRs are excellent rifles, but they’re not for everybody. Depending on what you want out of your AK, a Cugir gun may or may not fit.

These are military rifles, and they feel like it. Rugged and solid in construction, WASRs long for use. The bluing found on Zastavas will look much nicer for your social media posts. But the Parkerization on WASRs will stand up to your abuse.

While Zastavas and WBP Foxes come with handsome wood, the furniture on a WASRs was meant for replacement. Whether your version includes blonde balsa or cheap black plastic, they are as fragile as they are ugly. Upgrading the furniture is priority No. 1 on any new WASR, but there is plenty of military surplus wood or quality aftermarket parts to address this shortcoming.

Finding furniture for a WASR is much easier than for a Zastava, due to the fact that it is a standard AKM pattern. This means that furniture designed to fit the original stamped Russian AKM design should fit the rifle, regardless of country of origin. My WASR has a mix of Romanian and Russian wood installed on it. As for installation, swapping furniture is a breeze for any skill level.

Other features of the WASR that are desirable are its scope rail and threaded muzzle. Mounted on the side of the receiver, the scope rail is the standard Russian style that has a plethora of optic mounting options both original and aftermarket. There are original Russian PSO magnified scopes and BelOMO Belarussian red dots as well as aftermarket mounts that provide Picatinny rails atop the receiver.

The muzzle is also threaded for the AK-standard 14×1 LH pitch. This allows for the largest compatibility of 7.62 muzzle devices. Whether that is the included regular slant-brake, something fancier, or even a Wolverine PBS-1 suppressor, it can be mounted to your WASR with ease.

In fact, essentially every element of the WASR is built to standard AKM spec, outside one small detail. Standard AKMs have a distinctive dimple on the side of the receiver above the magazine well, and even older WASR variants like the SAR-1 featured it. Newer WASRs lack this dimple, but there is a good reason for it. As explained in a previous article on Cugir and the Draco, due to importation laws AKs are brought into the United States with single-stack magazine wells. They are opened up stateside by the importer, in this case, Century Arms. According to AK YouTuber Rob Ski, who has spoken to workers at the Cugir plant, leaving the dimples off simply makes it easier for the Century employees to file off the necessary metal within the magwell. Cugir compensates for this by welding a reinforcement bar inside the receiver, so strength is not compromised. Considering this portion of the importation process had some past quality control issues, if this change makes it easier for Century to restore the rifles to their proper configuration, it seems worth it.

WASR-10 with Belarussian optic. Notice the missing receiver dimple. Photo: Wikipedia

Built Cugir-Tough

Besides the select-fire feature, WASRs are essentially indistinguishable from their military counterparts. In fact, semi-auto WASRs have actually seen military service, under the United States of America no less. In the early 2000s the U.S. Army needed 7.62×39 AKs to supplement certain forces in the Middle East and Africa, so they procured a number of WASRs. Used by contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, some of these rifles were even sold as surplus stateside a few years back.

The popular rental-gun range Battlefield Las Vegas has some of the best data on AK lifespans in the world simply due to how many people visit them each year. Their WASRs, which they have converted to full-auto, have had more rounds put through them than possibly any other WASRs on Earth. Battlefield Las Vegas claims, they have never shot out a WASR’s chrome-lined barrel, and the rifles they have killed were due to cracked trunnions. This is typical for stamped AKMs after 80,000-100,00 rounds. Even after reaching the failure point, all it takes is a front trunnion and barrel swap to put a WASR back into commission. With this kind of longevity, it's safe to say that most WASRs will outlast their owners.

Ugandan Security Forces in Iraq holding WASR AKs, standing with US contractor — Ugandan Security Forces in Iraq holding WASR AKs, standing with an American. Photo: Atlantic Firearms

Variants

There are a few WASR variants currently imported by Century. We already discussed the standard AKM-pattern model that comes with either wood or plastic furniture. This is the most common variant, called the WASR-10. Here is a brief overview of three other variants:

WASR-10 UF: The under-folder model, the rifle is exactly the same as a standard WASR besides the rear trunnion and stock. AKs require a special rear trunnion to accommodate an under-folder stock, making it much easier to buy one built at a factory rather than converting a fixed-stock trunnion model yourself. These are less common but make for a good choice if you value compactness. Keep in mind the lack of a cheek rest on the under-folder stock makes it uncomfortable to shoot.

RH10: These are one of the more common variants, and again are the same as WASRs in every detail besides one: the gas block. The RH10 features a combination front sight block and gas tube, unlike standard WASRs where they are separate. The difference is mostly aesthetic and does not affect the rifle’s function, but the combo gas block makes it far easier to chop the barrel and convert it to an SBR if you so desire.

WASR Paratrooper: The paratrooper model has a combination front sight and gas block similar to the RH10, but it is one inch shorter. This is because the paratrooper model is actually based on the Romanian PM md.90 short rifle, or Draco configuration. These are imported with a barrel over 16” purely for legal reasons. The paratrooper model also has a standard rear trunnion but comes with a Romanian push-button wire folder stock instead of the normal fixed-stock. These models are not as common as the RH10 but are even better for converting to an SBR due to the shorter gas block and included folding stock.

WASR 2s and WASR 3s

Quite a few years ago, Romanian AKs were available in three calibers: 7.62×39, 5.45×39, and 5.56×45. These were known as the SAR or WASR 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Cugir still has the manufacturing capabilities to produce these calibers, as they still build them for military contracts across the globe, as well as for their own armed forces. While AKs chambered in the other two calibers will never be as popular as the original 7.62 version in America, 5.45 has been gaining a following here as of late and 5.56 is more common for American shooters to have already stockpiled. Why have they not been imported for so long? Zastava and WBP Fox have no history producing 5.45 guns, so Cugir remains our last hope for newly produced, foreign-made AK-74 style rifles. Hopefully, Century will eventually place another order for WASR 2s to provide more competition within the American 74 market which is currently dominated by the sub-par rifles of Palmetto State Armory.

Romanian AKs of any variant or caliber are excellent, military-grade Kalashnikovs. For those seeking a real workhorse AK that will make it through the apocalypse, you can’t go wrong with a WASR.

For more information on WASRs, please visit centuryarms.com.

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Trijicon RMR: The Ideal Hunting Aiming Solution?

Philip Massaro

May 20, 2021

Somewhere between open sight and riflescope, the Trijicon RMR finds the perfect middle ground.

Since the invention of the firearm, man has tried his best to develop a system for aiming the gun easily and accurately. There are a number of solutions, though none of them are absolutely perfect.

A Trijicon RMR atop a Heym Model 89B in .450-400 3-inch Nitro Express. The little red dot extends the effective range of the double rifle.

The simplest designs evolved into the two-piece iron sights we’re all so familiar with. While that system certainly has a ton of applications, it’s handicapped by the user’s ability to focus both the target and the sights. As humans age, our eyes lose the ability to focus on tiny objects, especially up close. It will happen.

On a defensive handgun, the mantra of “front sight-focus” is a glaring example of the obstacles encountered when using iron sights. Because of the difficulty of quickly focusing on both the target and the front sight, shooters train to use a grip and stance that best allows the sights to be aligned under stress.

A rifle, under most circumstances, must be much more carefully aimed. Using a peep sight at the rear of a rifle will increase the sighting radius and also allow the eye to naturally center the front sight in the circle, removing one part of the iron-sight equation. Still, we’re married to the diameter of the front bead on a rifle, and sometimes that bead can be as much as 10 or more MOA. That’ll cover a pie plate at 100 yards and a garbage can lid at 200 yards, and while the famous 6 o’clock hold gives some relief, there’s still a bunch of your target covered up when the distances get longer.

A good low-power riflescope, like the 2.5x Leupold on the author’s .404 Jeffery, offers the ability to make longer shots while keeping the reticle and target on the same focal plane … but it gives tunnel vision when things get close.

A telescopic sight—our common riflescope—has certainly come a long way in recent years. The scope does some wonderful things, including magnifying the target and putting the reticle and target on the same focal plane. In certain instances, however, the tunnel vision of even the lowest power scopes can be a hindrance, especially on dangerous game at close quarters.

The debate has long raged among both dangerous game hunters and professional hunters between low-powered scopes and iron sights. While the scope solves the focus issue, it can affect the balance of a quick-pointing dangerous game rifle. I was looking for a solution somewhere in the middle … providing the balance and lightning-fast target acquisition of an iron-sighted rifle, yet with the single-focal plane of the scope—without the tunnel vision.

Here’s news for ya: Reflex sights aren’t just for pistols.

Front left view of the RMR, showing the coated front lens and soft button to increase intensity.

My particular favorite is the Trijicon RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) sight. I’ll also shamelessly get this out of the way upfront: When Trijicon includes the word “rugged” in the product name, they mean it.

Trijicon RMR Down Under

I found myself halfway around the globe, in a truly remote part of Australia’s Northern Territory, with Heym USA’s Chris Sells and professional hunter Graham Williams, with a fantastic Heym Model 89B double rifle in .470 Nitro Express over my shoulder. We were hunting Asiatic water buffalo, a species introduced to the Australian continent in the early 19th century and classified as invasive.

The .470, while equipped with good iron sights, wore a Trijicon RM09 with a 1-MOA red-dot and was sighted to be dead-on at 100 yards. Water buffalo are where they are, and while they’re not as switched-on as Cape buffalo—probably due to a lack of predators—they’re huge animals, with a big bull weighing in over a ton. The terrain in that part of Australia ranges from brushy thickets to open meadows and gully ridden lowlands, and buffalo were everywhere.

The windage and elevation adjustments, and soft button to decrease the dot’s intensity.

We’d spotted what would become my bull while skirting the edge of a small drainage; they were lying down about a quarter-mile up the slope, thinking about whatever buffalo think about. Graham and I made a plan to use what little cover we had to get within range of this handsome buffalo. Our plan worked—perhaps a little too well.

We ducked behind a slight hump in the topography, and working from tree to tree, we used the wind perfectly to get within 50 yards of the bull. Thinking we’d pull up and take the shot, I was a bit astounded when Graham motioned for me to follow, getting even closer. At a mere 17 paces, the bull became aware of us and gained his feet when Graham gave the order to shoot.

The double came to shoulder fluidly, and with both eyes open, I put the red dot just behind his shoulder as he whirled. The right barrel slowed him, and the left barrel saw him pause to gather strength; two more 500-grain North Fork solids sealed the deal. The rifle behaved much like a shotgun, with the Trijicon unit requiring very little thought—it worked naturally, the shots going exactly where the dot indicated.

The Ruggedized Miniature Reflex sight (RMR) can also be a handy choice for a lethal turkey gun.

Two days later, I’d hand the Heym double over to Chris, and he’d use that same rig to take an equally impressive bull at over 125 yards, giving a clinic on how to shoot a double rifle. His bull took the first shot just below the point of the shoulder, and he delivered a second about 4 inches away from the first while the bull was running. The grinning Chris was the first to admit he might not have made those shots in the same manner with the traditional iron sights on the rifle.

Little Details

The Trijicon RMR has been updated to what they call the Type 2, which has a beefier electronics system and weighs a mere 1.2 ounces, making it perfect for maintaining the balance of any firearm.

You’ll need a mounting solution for whatever gun you’re pairing it with. In the case of the Heym 89B, there’s an aluminum adapter that mounts to the rib and is held in place with a thumbwheel. Trijicon has models that mount to a Picatinny rail and other popular systems, and the footprint of the Type 2 is identical to the original. At just under 2 inches long and an inch high and wide, it doesn’t obscure the shooter’s view and is mounted low enough to the bore that cheek weld isn’t lost.

Trijicon’s RMR works equally well on a handgun, alleviating focal issues.

Three choices of dot sizes are available: 1 MOA, 3.25 MOA and 6 MOA. Quite obviously the larger the dot, the faster it can be acquired, and the 3.25 and 6 MOA dots make perfect sense for any close-quarters firearm. The 1 MOA model is a perfect choice for a hunting rifle. Covering just 1 inch at 100 yards, this sight is ideal for the rifleman who likes the visual freedom of iron sights yet prefers the single-focal plane view. Shots can be placed as precisely as the shooter can hold the rifle, and even when looking into the sunrise or sunset, the dot is bold and visible.

The dot of the RM09 I used and tested was adjustable for intensity with soft-touch buttons. Hold both buttons down to power off the unit. The adjustments are 1 MOA, with graduations on the dial, and clicks for each increment. When I was doing the load development for my Heym .470 double, the Trijicon was quickly zeroed and the adjustments I needed were as accurate as I could ask for. Having the RMR on board for the load development work saved ammunition and my shoulder—I knew the shots were placed properly.

The RMR’s lens is fully coated for minimal color shift in the window, and I experienced no issues when using the unit in bright sun, nor when holding on a black buffalo’s shoulder in the dappled sunlight. Trijicon indicates that the unit is waterproof to 20m depth. A single CR2032 lithium battery runs the unit; if you leave it untouched for 16½ hours, the illumination level automatically goes back to ambient lighting conditions. I wish I could tell you how long the battery lasts, but I haven’t yet reached the end of this battery’s life. The battery contacts have been designed to work in the most inclement conditions, and I’ve never experienced any loss of power, with either the original model or the Type 2.

The Trijicon RMR might not have the classic look on a double rifle, but at less than 2 ounces, it doesn’t upset the rifle’s balance and handling like a scope will.

Trijicon offers a limited lifetime warranty, stating that the electronics are warrantied for 5 years from date of manufacture. Having used this sight in Australia, Mozambique and here in the States—on rifles with serious recoil—I can say that the RMR is rock solid. While the slamming action of a 1911 can be tortuous on any piece of electronics, I’d wager it pales in comparison to a pair of rapid shots from a .470 Nitro Express, with each shot generating over 5,000 ft-lb of energy.

In addition to black, the RMR is available in a dark flat earth Cerakote finish and a sniper gray Cerakote finish. Depending on options, the list price runs between $699 and $749, with street prices running between $550 and $650, not counting the necessary mounting adapter.

While there are those who might feel that even the tiny Trijicon sight will befoul the classic lines of a fine double rifle or sleek lever gun, the increase in accuracy ought to sway that opinion. Plus, the RMR is quickly removed from nearly any mounting situation, easily restoring the gun’s silhouette. Should you have the opportunity to try a rifle with an RMR on top of it, I’d wager you’ll become a fan.

For more information on the Trijicon RMR, please visit trijicon.com.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the November 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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