Zastava USA Unveils New Serbian Under Folder AKs
A few years back, Zastava was simply an arms manufacturer who exported firearms to the US with the help of Century Arms.
The majority of their guns were surplus, but some were new production like the CZ999 handgun. But the most famous of their firearms were the PAP series of Kalashnikov-adjacent firearms.
I say adjacent because while these guns were ostensibly AKs, they differed enough not to have full parts commonality. Chief among the PAPs, were the OPAP and the ZPAP carbines chambered in 7.62x39mm and 5.56mm.
Eventually, Zastava wanted to start making more money and more directly, so they decided to establish Zastava USA and import the guns themselves.
The only problem with the ZPAP under folders that Zastava was bringing in was that they weren’t true under folders. They were standard fixed-stock ZPAP carbines with an adaptor. ‘
It both looks strange, and added more than two inches to the length of pull of the firearm.
Zasatava guns are Yugo pattern, meaning they don’t have full parts compatibility with standard AKMs, but they do have a thicker, more robust receiver. (1.5mm vs 1mm)
New Zastava Guns
This all changed at the very end of 2023, when Zastava USA began importing high-quality PAP-type under folder AKs into the US through Atlantic Firearms. These guns are fantastic and built like tanks.
In the past, I reviewed Zastava guns from Century and found them to be exceptionally well-built. Furthermore, as far as AKs go, they were very accurate and flawlessly reliable. Essentially, if you’re not dead-set on customizing your AK with aftermarket components, these are among the best AKs on the market today.
While I didn’t have a chance to shoot the newest iteration of the ZPAP rifle from Zastava, they seem perfect. They’re the same great Yugo-style underfolders we had arriving back in 2010. Sure, they aren’t $500 anymore, but they’re still solid rifles.Â
For more information, swing by www.zastavaarmsusa.com
Jim is a freelance writer, editor, and videographer for dozens of publications who loves anything and everything guns. While partial to modern military firearms and their civilian counterparts, he holds a special place in his heart for the greatest battle implement ever devised and other WW2 rifles. When he’s not reviewing guns or shooting for fun and competition, Jim can be found hiking and hunting with his wife Kimberly, and their dog Peanut in the South Carolina low country.