Zastava M57 options

[Pier23]

Gentlefolk,

Recently I got it in my head that a Zastava M57 would be a nice addition because it is cheap, and fires the 7.62x25 ammo my recently-acquired but yet to be fired CZ52 uses.

I now have two options: milsurp through Buds or CheaperThanDirt, with an added on safety which apparently mucks up the action and reliability, OR the newly-manufactured version.

As I know nothing about the Zastava, is this even a pistol worth getting? If I am mucking about with reliability issues with either, then I will pass.

Given my druthers, I would prefer milsurp, since that is the cachet of this piece.

But if the safety works ok with new mfg, and the new mfg is otherwise sound, then I will look at new.

Or, I may give up and go back to collecting CZ52s in need of new barrels...<sigh>

I would appreciate any thoughts, guidance, experience!

Thx!

[Pier23]

Well, folks, after FAR more agonizing than it was worth, I decided on a milsurp Zastava M57 from Classic Firearms.

With luck, I won't get a paperweight!

[potmetal]

I don't own one of these, I had one of the Chinese 9mm models. Mine worked fine, and most of the comments I've seen about  the model 57's has been positive.  I hope yours works well and makes you happy.  Let us know.

[Pier23]

Thx potmetal. Order has been placed, the FFL is ready, should be here in a few more days. Then I am foing to have a CZ52/Zastava M57 comparo.

[Bret]

I think you made the right decision.  I love my M57.  The frame mounted safety on the milsurp version is easy to manipulate and rotates in the "correct" direction like a CZ75 or 1911.  The slide mounted safety on the new version is further away and I believe rotates in the opposite direction.  Go ahead and get an extra magazine or two or three or four...  Because they're longer than regular Totarov magazines, regular Tokarov magazines won't fit.

[nalioth]

Zastava has redesigned the safety system on new production M57s.

It was only a batch that got caught in transit right as the law requiring "every handgun have a manual safety" went into effect that got mangled & screwed up safety installs.


So, if you're buying a new production M57, you shouldn't have any issues.

This same law is responsible for screwing up a load of fine collectible Webley revolvers, too (you ever see a revolver with a transplanted manual safety? You don't want to)

[Pier23]

Hi nalioth,

For good or ill I opted for milsurp, not new production.

I have seen pix of the milsurp safeties, and they are not pleasant. But, that is the option I went with.

I have not played with the milsurps, but I did putter with -but not fire- the new production. I am hoping the milsurps feel more substantial...more...milsurpish.