Zastava M85

Zastava M85
Type	Carbine
Place of origin	Yugoslavia
Production history
Manufacturer	Zastava Arms
Specifications
Weight	3.5 kg (7.72 lb)
Length	800mm with folding stock 540mm without folding stock
Cartridge	5.56×45mm
Action	Gas-actuated (rotating bolt)
Muzzle velocity	700 m/s
Effective firing range	400 m
Feed system	30-round box magazine
Sights	Adjustable iron sights, optional mount required for optical sights

The Zastava M85 is a carbine designed and produced by then Yugoslavian Zastava Arms. It is actually a shortened version of the original rifle, the Zastava M90, which is itself successor to the Zastava M70 assault rifle. The M85 is practically same as the carbine version of the M70, the Zastava M92, the only difference being in caliber, and in this case, the magazine design, as same as with original rifles, the M70 and M90.

Like its original variant, the M90, the M85 was intended to be a new weapon in the arsenal of the Yugoslav People's Army, but the breakup of Yugoslavia disrupted the production, due to what today the weapon is rare and it went almost completely unused by anyone, probably due to lack of Western ammunition in Yugoslavia.

Design and features

In general design, the Zastava M85 is actually a modified hybrid of the Soviet AKMSU and AKS-74U carbines, this time chambered for the Western 5.56×45mm round. It is gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, with selective fire capability. It can be told apart from the originals by different pistol grip and magazine, and also handguard, which is longer, has three cooling vents instead of usual two and is made out of different wood type. Like its original variant, the M85 also features a flash eliminator on the barrel end, but not of a Western type like on the M90, but actually the one from the AKS-74U.

Although has slower overheating due to three cooling vents, the disadvantage of the M85 in contrast to the originals is that the reliability is slightly reduced because of the Western round, whose mechanism is somewhat unsuitable for the AK design.

Derivatives

• Zastava M90 - Original rifle
• Zastava M92 - Near identical variant chambered for the Soviet 7.62×39mm round (carbine version of the Zastava M70 assault rifle)

External links

• Zastava Arms