Zastava ZPAPM70
Zastava Arms · Rifle · In Production · 2015
Also known as: ZPAP M70, ZPAPM70 BHP, Zastava PAP M70, Papovka
Overview
The Zastava ZPAPM70 is the semi-automatic, 922(r)-compliant US civilian import version of Zastava Arms' military M70 assault rifle, built at the Kragujevac factory in Serbia on the same tooling that produces Serbian military rifles. Like its military counterpart it uses a distinctive 1.5mm-thick stamped sheet-steel receiver (50% thicker than a standard AKM's 1.0mm receiver) mated to a bulged front trunnion, a combination originally engineered so the rifle could withstand repeated launching of 22mm rifle grenades from its slotted gas block. The ZPAPM70 retains that grenade-launching gas block with its three-position gas valve and a flip-up ladder sight mounted ahead of the front sight post, making it visually unmistakable among AK variants. Chambered in 7.62x39mm and fed from standard 30-round AK-pattern magazines, it pairs a chrome-lined hammer-forged barrel, double-hook trigger, and fixed wood or polymer furniture depending on configuration. Imported into the United States by Zastava Arms USA in Des Plaines, Illinois, it has become Zastava's best-selling export product and one of the most popular factory-built AK variants available to American civilians.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3490 g (123.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 953 mm (37.52") |
| Barrel Length | 415 mm (16.34") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 710 m/s (2329 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2010 J (1482 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Stamped Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Lined Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x39mm · primary — also known as 7.62x39mm Soviet, M43, 7.62 Soviet
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Detachable Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Hammer Notch
- Features: Thick 1 5mm Stamped Receiver, Bulged Front Trunnion, Chrome Lined Barrel, Chrome Lined Chamber, Rotating Bolt, Grenade Launcher Gas Block, Flip Up Grenade Launcher Sight, Three Position Rifle Grenade Gas Valve, Slant Muzzle Brake, Bayonet Lug, Cleaning Rod, Fixed Wood Stock, Handguard With Vented Upper, Double Hook Trigger
Variants
- Zastava M70 — Military Select Fire
- Zastava M70AB2 — Under Folding Stock
- Zastava ZPAPM70 BHP — Bulged Trunnion Milled Trigger Guard
- Zastava M90 — 5 56 Nato Chambering
- Zastava M85 PAP — Pistol Variant 5 56
- Zastava M92 PAP — Pistol Variant 7 62
- Zastava M77 B1 — 7 62 Nato Squad Automatic
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States civilian market · adopted 2015 · as ZPAPM70
Production
Production years: 2015-present
Civilian ZPAPM70 production figures are not publicly disclosed, but the underlying military M70 pattern has seen over four million units produced since 1970. The ZPAPM70 is Zastava's best-selling US export rifle.
Origin
Country of origin: Serbia
Designer: Zastava Arms engineering team
Notes
The ZPAPM70 is sold in several sub-configurations including the BHP (Bulged trunnion, Hammer-forged barrel, Polymer furniture), wood-stocked variants, and the Zastava Arms USA direct-import 'M70 ZPAP' series. The rifle ships 922(r)-compliant with US-made components (typically stock, handguard, pistol grip, trigger group, and a single-stack 30-round magazine). Cyrillic markings from the Serbian factory are retained on the receiver and trunnion. Folding-stock variants such as the ZPAPM70 Sporter and ZPAPM70 Tactical are also offered. The bulged front trunnion distinguishes the 'classic' ZPAPM70 from Zastava's lower-tier N-PAP M70 line, which used a non-bulged trunnion and standard 1.5mm receiver but with fewer grenade-launching features.
Background
The ZPAPM70's most unusual feature is a holdover from its Cold War roots: the three-position gas valve and flip-up ladder sight on the front of the gas block exist solely so the rifle can fling 22mm Yugoslav rifle grenades hundreds of meters downrange. To survive the punishment, Zastava built the M70 with a 1.5mm receiver (50% thicker than a Soviet AKM) and a bulged front trunnion - engineering overkill that made the civilian ZPAPM70 one of the most overbuilt factory AKs ever sold to American shooters.