Zastava M85
Yugoslavian AK-pattern carbine chambered in 5.56×45mm.
The Zastava M85 is a carbine built by the former Yugoslav company Zastava Arms. It is a compact version of the Zastava M80 rifle, which itself followed the Zastava M70 assault rifle. The M85 is nearly identical to the Zastava M92, the carbine variant of the M70, differing only in its caliber and magazine design. Like the M80, the M85 was developed for the Yugoslav People’s Army, but production was interrupted by the breakup of Yugoslavia. Today, it is mainly made for commercial and export markets.
The M85 is an AK-pattern firearm that borrows design features from the Soviet AKS-74U carbine, but it is chambered for the Western 5.56×45mm round. It operates via gas, is air-cooled, feeds from a magazine, and can fire in semi-automatic or fully automatic modes. It stands out from typical AK rifles due to its unique polymer pistol grip, its 5.56×45mm magazine, and especially its longer "Yugo" handguard, which has three cooling vents instead of the usual two. The muzzle device is a flash hider copied from the AKS-74U. The receiver is stamped from 1.5mm sheet steel, thicker than the 1.0mm steel common in most AK rifles, which adds durability but also weight.
Quick Facts
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Origin
- Yugoslavia/Serbia
- Design Date
- 1985
- Manufacturer
- Zastava Arms
- Cartridge
- 5.56×45mm
- Action
- Gas-operated, rotating bolt
- Feed
- 30-round box magazine
- Velocity
- 700 m/s
- Range
- 400 m
- Weight
- 3.5 kg (7.72 lb)
- Length
- 800mm with folding stock / 540mm without folding stock
- Sights
- Adjustable iron sights, optional mount required for optical sights
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Zastava M85 was intended as a new weapon for the Yugoslav People's Army, but the breakup of Yugoslavia disrupted production. It is currently produced largely for commercial sales and export. The M85 is an AK-pattern rifle incorporating design elements of the Soviet AKS-74U carbine, but chambered for the Western 5.56×45mm round. It can be distinguished from traditional AK family members by its unique polymer pistol grip, 5.56×45mm magazine, and most significantly by its distinctive 'Yugo' handguard, which is longer and has three cooling vents instead of the usual two. The M85 also features a flash-hider muzzle device copied directly from the AKS-74U. The receiver is stamped from 1.5mm sheet steel, thicker than the 1.0mm steel used in most AK-derived rifles, resulting in increased durability at the cost of increased weight.
Reader's Guide
The Zastava M85 represents a notable adaptation of the AK platform to a Western cartridge, reflecting the shifting geopolitical landscape of the former Yugoslavia. Its design closely mirrors the Zastava M92, differing primarily in caliber and magazine, and incorporates elements from the Soviet AKS-74U, such as the flash-hider. The thicker 1.5mm receiver stamping gives the M85 enhanced durability over many other AK-pattern rifles, though at the expense of added weight. Originally developed for the Yugoslav People's Army, the M85's production was interrupted by the breakup of Yugoslavia, and it now serves primarily in commercial and export markets. Its distinctive 'Yugo' handguard with three cooling vents and polymer pistol grip set it apart visually from other AK variants. The M85, along with its parent rifle the M80 and the near-identical M92, forms part of Zastava's line of carbines that blend Eastern European design with Western ammunition standards.
Did You Know?
- The Zastava M85 is a shortened version of the Zastava M80 rifle.
- It is practically identical to the Zastava M92 except for caliber and magazine design.
- The M85 uses a receiver stamped from 1.5mm sheet steel, thicker than the typical 1.0mm AK receiver.
- Its flash-hider is copied directly from the Soviet AKS-74U carbine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zastava M85?
The Zastava M85 is a compact AK-pattern carbine manufactured by Zastava Arms in former Yugoslavia as a shorter variant of their M80 rifle. It was initially designed for the Yugoslav People's Army, though after the country dissolved, production continued primarily for commercial and export buyers.
How does the Zastava M85 differ from the Zastava M92?
The M85 and M92 are essentially the same carbine platform, distinguished mainly by their chambering and the magazines they accept. The M85 fires 5.56×45mm NATO rounds, whereas the M92 is a 7.62×39mm model.
What caliber and action does the Zastava M85 use?
The M85 is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO and operates on a gas-operated, magazine-fed, selective-fire system. Its receiver is formed from 1.5mm stamped sheet steel, and it features a Yugo-pattern handguard with three cooling vents.
Why did Yugoslav military production of the M85 stop?
The dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s eliminated the original military customer base that had driven M85 development. Zastava Arms subsequently redirected production toward civilian, commercial, and international export markets.
What Soviet design influenced the Zastava M85?
The M85's compact carbine configuration was clearly inspired by the Soviet AKS-74U, and its flash-hider is a direct reproduction of the 74U's muzzle device. Beyond that, the overall design follows the standard AK pattern with a stamped receiver and gas-piston operation.
More in Battle Rifles and Carbines, Part 2 1-24
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