Zastava Zpap: QC Problems Still On The Rise!? Inferior Metal? Cracks? M90 M70 M92 M85 2022 Check up

So I was asked to do a 2022 update on Any problems (Not my own rifle being a single example this time) and how they have been being handled since a lot of QC problems have occurred lately .
In this video I will show the most common still and new since the October video. A Cracked receiver being the worst, followed up by a few cracked gas blocks and more. All information was collected by hand in refinish rifles (for furniture refinish) and multiple polls and forums.
Previous Problems overview:
October:
• Zastava Zpap: Quality ...
Previous:
• Serbian ZPAPM70 AK-47 ...
____
You are not "guaranteed" to experience any of these problems shown. Fully inspect any AK before receiving from your FFL
Here are just a few of the problems with Zastava rifles that were documented on reddit. There is a longer list on AKFiles.
M90
General QC issues
/ zastava \_zpap\_quality\_control\_problems\_on\_the\_rise/
Rear Trunnion issue
/ zastava \_m90\_problem\_rear\_trunnion\_appears\_to\_be/
Dust Cover detent issue
/ new \_m90\_dust\_cover\_detent\_button\_is\_stuck/
Magazine issue
/ zastava \_m90\_in\_556\_a\_long\_ish\_review/
More Magazine issues
/ every \_single\_mag\_24\_times\_a\_mag\_brand\_new\_zastava/
Recoil spring issue
/ m90 \_recoil\_spring\_wont\_depress/
M70
Cracked gas block , bolt or other cracks
www.reddit.com...
/ zastava \_zpap\_is\_this\_a\_crack\_or\_purely\_cosmetic\_i/
/ my \_new\_zpap\_m70\_came\_with\_a\_cracked\_gas\_block/
Strange pitting issue
/ solely \_cosmetic/
Canted rear sight issue
/ issues \_with\_new\_zpap\_m70/
Another example
/ new \_zpap\_m70\_rear\_sight\_looks\_askew/
Rivet issue
/ new \_zastava\_m70\_zpap\_rivet\_issue/
Feeding issue
/ gen \_1\_zastava\_pap\_m70\_major\_feeeding\_issues/
Dented Side Rail
/ is \_this\_something\_to\_be\_mad\_about\_new\_zastava\_m70/
Extreme Cant issue
/ contacted \_zastava\_they\_asked\_for\_pics\_of\_the/
Furniture Break After First Use
/ new \_zastava\_wood\_breaks\_first\_range\_trip/
Strange pitting/metallurgy fail
/ is \_this\_safe\_to\_shoot\_bought\_new\_zastava\_zpapm70/
M85
Rivet issue
/ m85 \_just\_as\_gud/
Front sight walking out when fired
/ how \_do\_i\_fix\_the\_sight\_from\_walking\_out\_on\_my\_zpap/
M92
Handguard lever broke off
/ handguard \_lever\_zastava\_m92\_broke\_off/

[@loganwykstra7922]

This is good I'd much rather have consumers loyal to the product and point out defects rather than drones that are loyal to a brand name.

[@StillTheGhost]

I appreciate that . I don't hate zastava just keeping people in the loop. I remember the pap century days... I don't believe the system of let's test "one rifle" other KZbin videos are about.

[@loganwykstra7922]

@@StillTheGhost ya brand loyalty just doesn't make sense it just makes it easier to make a gradually shittier product. That and it's harder to get legit AK types in the US so we kinda just make what we can get. All that being said I am interested in the little shortys 10-12 inch polish wbp mini Jack and the Draco's. Those look sick but I don't know specifics. This comment is to long enjoy your day!

[@StillTheGhost]

I actually wrote a super long comment in reply before . Wbp and RADOM make fine rifles and pistols. Draco is wasr quality (both Romanian cugir) but it does have a bit longer barrel at 12" so more velocity if that matters. The Milled mini jack is built really well as are the regular mini jacks. For the price the zpap92 is still worth it if you pay under 800$ as it's a krinkov style. Arsenal sam7k is also a nice option if you don't mind the shotty finish. I'm looking for a 12" myself so I'm still gonna wait it out since the draco is wayyy overpriced right now.

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

For real my rifle has a 4 thousands over bore and the chamber isn’t finished cut it doesn’t have a shoulder. I could not find ANYTHING from anyone about this. The only reason I found this channel is because I was trying to find out who makes a real m76 rail. Then I noticed these videos and I’m not surprised.

[@richwhippersnapper]

Heavily mass produced to satisfy demand in the US market after the Russian AKs were banned from import. Glad I just now learned about this! I was seriously thinking about buying one, but not now, especially at $1000 a pop! Good informative video! Thanks!

[@R.Tafolla]

I’m a Zastava owner and I’m happy with my rifle. Hasn’t given me any problems. That being said, I’m not blinded by loyalty where I can’t acknowledge other peoples bad experiences and I’m willing to say that they are not the highest quality guns out there. There’s a reason they are at their price point of sub-$1000. But at least they are a step above the VSKA’s, Riley Defense, and PSA’s.

[@alleycatcapone6163]

Are vskas and Riley really that bad right now?

[@StillTheGhost]

Yes , cast trunnions, mushrooming bolts.. list goes on. Not to mention no good warranty. iF you should have a problem with a Zastava they WILL make it right most of the time. A wasr is the lowest I would go and I would stay with imports. Like I said my personal m70 and m92 have been fine. (2020 import) Here is a decent buyers guide that I mostly agree with thinlineweapons.com/wiki/index.php/Soviet_Firearms/Kalashnikov

[@shootermcgavin3157]

I got the new Mlok m70 zpap never shot it hope it's fine :(

[@chadbrattain7985]

@@alleycatcapone6163 yes sir, I have a few ak47s and ak74u in different brands of AK variants and there's a major difference between the quality of a zastava AK-47 and Riley and vska and wasr 10. The Riley is the clunkiest and of them all and are shitty even for the price. Vska and wasr 10 are close to the same in my opinion but I will say that I myself prefer the wasr10 over the vska but that's my opinion. But neither compare to the zastava AK-47 and I have them all in multiple calibers and the smooth receiver that the zastava has is non-existent in the other ones and are very clunky and rattle extremely bad even for a AK-47 that is known for having mag wobble and crude receiver function but surprisingly to me that the zastava is pretty solid and tight and alot better gun for the cost than the other ones. I prefer to have a Norinco SKS sporting rifle that takes the AK mag than the vska or waser 10, or 2 Riley ak47s. But that's just my opinion but I hear many people who know there guns that agree with me on that topic.

[@bluedownC]

@Chad Brattain I wouldn't compare a VSKA to a WASR 10. VSKA is full of cast metal while WASR10 is forged metal. Very different.

[@madmaxd1]

I own a 2013 PAP-M92 when they used to be imported by Century Arms and a 2021 ZPAP85. No defects nor issues found. I'm not worried since brands like SIG and FN have issues as well.

[@yuibot5998]

I hate to hear this, I really like Zastava. I have a bunch of guns made there, however all but one are actual military surplus. I have two M48 Mausers, one 24/47, two of their Tokarev clones, an unissued Yugo M59/66A1 SKS with arsenal logbook, and a shooter Yugo M59/66A1 in excellent shape. All of those are built like tanks and utterly reliable, good shooters. My one commercial Zastava is a NPAP from around 2015 or so. I shaved down the hammer a bit when I heard of the issue with mushrooming on the back of the bolt carrier due to the different shaped "hump" on the US compliant 922r hammers. I took the junk Century Arms wood off it and put a milsurp wood set on it, it looks amazing. I haven't had any issues with it, but I haven't shot it a ton either since I have a SAIGA I paid 299.99 for in 2011 and converted myself.....and as much as I like the NPAP, it just isn't a SAIGA. I hope they get this ironed out. They certainly aren't having any problem selling their guns, they seem to "fly off the shelves" when they are in stock anywhere. But if they keep this up, that's going to change and their brand is going to lose major confidence with the buyers as word gets out. It seems like the MAJORITY (not all) of customer service experiences are handled decently, but you shouldn't have to deal with that. Only in very rare cases and not as widespread as this seems. It is really hard to get any idea of what percentage of these guns are having problems. A large portion of owners probably won't put 2,000 rounds through theirs in the entire time they own it, so who knows how many really have problems waiting to happen. There may be way more with hidden issues that will never show up because they won't be shot much. I love Zastava but there's no excuse for this and they need to fix it ASAP. I know back in the time when NPAPS had a bad batch with issues that the WASRS sold at that time were absolute tanks and seem to have been a better option, but right now I am hearing about issues with WASRS as well. I would still grab a Zastava over a PSA or Century made gun but it shouldn't be a roll of the dice. DO BETTER ZASTAVA!

[@levinlevinallday]

I recently purchased a m90 second hand. It come with a warranty slip and emails with zastava about the top cover having a huge gap to the point of it nearly falling off and the front sight so canted it couldn't be zeroed. They fixed it but I can see where they bashed the front sight with a hammer and dented it. From now on I think I'll stick with Arsenal. Glad I got my saigas and veprs before they were banned. Never a problem.

[@StillTheGhost]

In my last QC video one of the reported problems was them banging a front sight back straight then cold bluing it and blaming him!

[@omardevonlittle3817]

Saigas are wasr quality TBF

[@KB-kw8ni]

@@omardevonlittle3817 nope

[@therideneverends1697]

@@KB-kw8ni They really kind of are and i own one. People hype them up because they are not currently imported but back when they where imported and like 400 bucks they where notorious for iffy QC to the point companies like atlantic marketed themselves as the place to buy from because they looked over the guns for defect before sending them out. dont get me wrong, neat collectable, but they are not anything to write home about quality wise, neither are most AK brands over other brands, youll notice how whats considered high quality directly follows if its been banned for import, norinco was bad until it was banned, saigas where spotty, untill they where banned, WASRs where bad, untill they stopped comeing in for a few years, then they where considered good and got reintroduced for a 400 dollar higher price tag see a trend here?

[@jaredbraswell6343]

Hate to see this as I’m headed to my FFl Monday to pick up my M70. I’ll look it over well but makes me wish I’d had ordered the WPB for $300 mor doll hairs.

[@StillTheGhost]

A lot of problems are reported(posted in various places) then removed. Most fixed by zastava or just returned. Here is the response to the cracked receiver shown in the video by Zastavas rep : imgur.com/a/vrAIQ88

[@10MMRUT]

Can you provide an update?

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

@@StillTheGhostwhere is the Zastava official site? I posted my issues on Reddit they never responded to my comment. Are they even responding to people anymore?????

[@PinChE_LoCo]

Sad to see. I'm a vepr fan boy but was looking into getting a zastava. I hope they fix these issues

[@ed00001]

Well shit. My ZPAP M70 is perfect. Got a ZPAP92 on the way and just gonna keep my fingers crossed.

[@StillTheGhost]

Just sold my 92 and Grabbed a Draco full size.

[@R.Tafolla]

Kalashnikov USA seems to be losing the plot as of late. They seem to be having poor QC with their most recent batches. You should do a video on them next.

[@StillTheGhost]

I will look into it. Never really messed with kusa stuff.

[@jakejames1977]

I just picked up a new Zpap m70 . On inspecting of the rifle I found two issues. 1. The chrome lining in the chamber has three black streaks running down the chamber. 1/8" wide by 3/4" long.Chrome lining worn through . Probably from manufacturing when it was headspaced. 2. The spot welds are weak on right ejection side of rifle . There should be 5 spot welds . I can only see two and there very weak, the other three are there but you really have to look closely. not good penitration I think?. The left side spot welds look good. Have shot 200 rd through it and the rifle is very accurate. The factory did a great job zeroing the rifle. Shoots like a dream! The walnut furniture is beautiful. The rest of the firearm looks excellent. Emailed Zastava, and Zastava wants me to send the rifle back for inspection and or repair I'm kind of hesitant to do that , I don't know. I ordered a no go gauge going to see if it passes. I just don't want to send it to them and then get back hacked repair . What to do???

[@StillTheGhost]

100% Send it back to Zastava if you are unhappy with it. Let them inspect it. Take pictures yourself of everything to compare when you get it back.

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

Bro when can I post publicly my issues because this has me all kinds of mad

[@StillTheGhost]

Everyone can see what you posted

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

@@StillTheGhost it was strange when I first made my comment it wasn’t letting me. I couldn’t subscribe either idk seems to be working fine now.

[@davidbell1619]

With any mass produced item. You get good ones and bad ones. There are always clunkers.

[@kylechupick2232]

I suppose it’s like anything else qc issues cutting corners and cheating out I recently bought a m70 I’m also very new to the ak platform firearms in general but I should purchase some no go go gauges

[@terryspalding3765]

Dont be scared, you can type any manufacturer in followed with "problems" and find plenty of shit that will make you feel the same way... While I'm not dismissing the issues people are having and hope Zastava will take care of all of them. You also gotta keep in mind there are a lot more happy customers than unhappy ones... The main thing is, without these unhappy customers making their issues known and letting us all know. Zastava wouldn't know what to improve upon. So I do think Zastava sees whats going on and will take extra steps to insure QC is catching things that's been being missed. But still, the majority of Zpap owners aren't having these issues. Some of these issues mentioned here arent even issues. People are just picky in our country about little shit like magazine wobble. AK's have magazine wobble sometimes. As long as its not jamming, you're good. lol. You don't think WASR-10's have magazine wobble? Every AK does. As long as it aint SO MUCH wobble that the round isnt making it into the chamber reliably every shot, there is nothing to worry about. Its a AK lol. Haven't had any issues with rust on mine... But I do my part to keep em looking mint. Ill spend a couple hours cleaning AK's every so often. Zastava might not be the BEST AK's you could ever buy. For the MONEY and for being so EASY to find in stock.... They ARE probably the best AK's on the market.. Hands down. Ide take a Zpap over a RAK47 or a PSAKGF3 any day. Hell ide take it over a WASR-10. The only way Ide take an arsenal over it is if you gave it to me lol. WBP ide fuck with, if I could find one in stock when I got the money... But I mean. Bro just dont let these things scare you away. The Zpaps are a solid choice. Reality is theyre gonna have lemons coming out from time to time. Do your part when your checking it out to be thorough. And then jsut take care of the gun. Buy a no go set if it makes you comfortable but I dont have one and I trust my guns. Not one of em has done anything for me to think they are crap.

[@vandidandi]

I had Zastava the 5.56 version , bought it NIB and sold it 2 months later, it was the worst AK i have ever had, wouldn't shoot 5 rounds straight, literally it malfunction every 4-5 rounds.

[@StillTheGhost]

I would pass on the M90 and the M85..

[@flattailbob]

Hmmm. I do believe that Zastava has a recommended breakin of Setting 3 - (Highest Gassed) For use during the first 200 rounds to break the rifle in, and then you can turn the rifle down to setting 2. I just wonder if these recommendations were followed

[@Milkman984]

Send this video to Zastava, so they can see their fuck ups and own it.

[@StillTheGhost]

Yea.. they don't like me much I'm sure for these videos.

[@cesarflores8450]

What would you say about a new M90 serial # 000123 or early production unit. It runs good till it heats up after 60 rds and it gets hot it starts to fte, stovepipe crushes ammo and pushes it all into the receiver. Im sending it back Mon. Its a sexy ass gun but I think Im done with it. Gona trade it most likely and get a PSAK 556. FUCKING SAD AF.

[@StillTheGhost]

The M90 had problems since it came out. Not really a serial number thing. Send it back.

[@omardevonlittle3817]

Still better than Arsenal.

[@StillTheGhost]

Arsenal has the milled AK sector locked tf down though... Not many if any good milled options nowadays.

[@ericsmith6677]

dude arsenal shits on Yugoslavia rifles.

[@KB-kw8ni]

Moron

[@johnny_flixx4598]

Is the Cammo shotgun from your best home defense in ny video still completely legal? I just came across the video, and am looking into buying a shotgun, but NY is ass

[@StillTheGhost]

Yea it's a pump and not over the tube limit. it's legal.

[@johnny_flixx4598]

@@StillTheGhost thanks a lot

[@Mr.Lawton534]

Either i get a zastava m70 or a bpd polish,but man cant find them anywhere

[@StillTheGhost]

AoA has Jack SR's

[@Mr.Lawton534]

@@StillTheGhost i bought it yesterday and 3 Mags along with 480 rounds from double m defence and a jmac laf muzzle brake 😎

[@Mr.Lawton534]

What cleaning/oil sets you use?

[@StillTheGhost]

Ballistol

[@EliteManMonkey]

CUGIR Running laps on all these over rated brands. And now theres no excuse for people to complain about a $900 WASR10 / M10 7.62 / 10/63

[@thevally6127]

Not really bro my romanian Draco had QC issues. Serial number is of a 2021 manufacturing date.

[@EliteManMonkey]

@@thevally6127 And what was the issue? Romanian AKs are rough as hell and aint pretty but you can count on them to run

[@bigchomnk2934]

@@EliteManMonkey mine is excessively over gassed. It kicks way harder than my other aks. Other than that sights are straight, rivets look good

[@StillTheGhost]

Interesting, my M+M has been flawless so far.

[@EliteManMonkey]

@@StillTheGhost M+M has some of the best Romanian imports of all time. You on IG?

[@ericsmith6677]

I owned an Npap it was a grade A pos

[@ShortDawgSavage]

I have a N-pap M70 still going strong 💪😎

[@steveharper5368]

personal experience, commercial zastava is junk, they are the macdonalds of commercial guns.

[@loganwykstra7922]

Darn and I just got one. What about the Draco's? Or the wbp polish jacks? Know anything about those two? Looking for a 10-12 inches

[@StillTheGhost]

Wbp and RADOM make fine rifles and pistols. Draco is wasr quality (both Romanian cugir) but it does have a bit longer barrel at 12" so more velocity if that matters. The Milled mini jack is built really well as are the regular mini jacks. For the price the zpap92 is still worth it if you pay under 800$ as it's a krinkov style. Arsenal sam7k is also a nice option if you don't mind the shotty finish. Im looking for a 12" myself so I'm still gonna wait it out since the draco is wayyy overpriced right now.

[@steveharper5368]

@@StillTheGhost yep i bought the milled mini jack, quality wise it puts the zpap 92 to shame and its more balanced (in weight).

[@SouthernDestinations47]

Anything that cost 900$-1200$ is not junk. It may be junk to you but that’s your own opinion really. They had a bad batch like all things that are manufactured. Century arms firearms are thrown together, look at one closely and tell me if you see anything that’s actually straight

[@Barnes-ml9wg]

Just Buy arsenal or hell I'd buy a wasr over a Zastava

[@thevally6127]

Wasrs right now have QC problems too, bo manufacturer is safe from this. Short staffing affects everything. I just bought a 2021 Draco model and had issues.

[@StillTheGhost]

From century? Yea I got one from M+M and it's been flawless. No QC issues at all.

[@terryspalding3765]

I got three and none of mine have any noticeable issues.. I mean any manufacturer has issues.. even the top dogs like Arsenal have shit slip the cracks from time to time. However im willing to say it is probably less because Arsenal imports guns in a lot less volume than Zastava does. That being said its fair to say they value quality over quantity and that is good... But Zastava just has a higher demand due to price point. People are alot quicker to spend 1000 bucks than 2000. And I mean where it counts most if you ask people like me the Arsenal really isn't even WORTH an extra 1000 bucks especially when you gotta go on a wild goose chase to find one. You can go to just about any gun shop around me aside from the big corporate dick heads like bass pro who refuse to stock AK's and find at least an M70. And I mean out of all my Zastava's the M70 is actually IMO the best one they produce. The M70 is like their big mac meal ya know. I mean, I hate to see people having issues but its gonna happen from time to time. This is why you always inspect before you sign anything lol or pay anything. I mean, AK's are kind of like 1911's where its kind of a piece of art. Theres a ton of em, their all a bit different with their own characteristics theyre not all equal and depending on who built it and how they were feeling that day... I mean you can get issues. Its real gun smithing. Its just a different kind of ballgame VS modern firearm manufacturing and shit. The gas block thing is kind of scary but I guess its just something to watch out for. I mean you inspect your weapon anyway when you maintenance it so. As long as you regularly maintenance it your gonna catch anything like this. And rust? Idk what your talking about? None of mine have issues with rust. But again, I keep my shit wet. Nd every so often I do let it dry a bit. Then I hit itwith a layer of Barricade which I do to ALL my guns. Barricade is a must for firearm owners who own a lot of guns and dont want to blow thru oil all the time. Barricade penetrates the pores in the metal and deoxidizes it. Then it leaves a protective layer (that has a pretty nice smell) on your firearm that can handle heat, and honestly it lasts for a while. It keeps rust and corrosion from forming and it works great. I use it on all exterior surfaces and also my Bolt carrier too. But I dont touch springs with it or the inside of the barrel or anything like that. I use oil for inner stuff and springs and barrel. But im telling you, that barricade gives your guns a classic shine that makes em pop a bit, it has a unique clean gun kind of smell, and its not that expensive and lasts a good bit of time per use. Ive had other brands that rust up way worse than my zastavas, im actually very pleased with how they been holding up. Nd I live in the ohio valley where it is ALWAYS like 50-60% humidity in the air. Its also good on wood. has kept my lower handguards on my M70 looking brand new despite being my fuck around gun. still looks great and it has a lot of shine and pop to it. Just dont over do it, or it can feel sticky. Use a clean rag and spray the rag with the chemical and then wipe the gun down evenly with a thin layer. This SHOULD take care of your problem... And about the finish... I mean you can hate on the blued finish, mines holding up nice so I dont agree for real but, going back to the big dogs like arsenal... They use a painted finish.... Like their guns rust up too if you don't maintain em lol. And honestly I HATE that they use painted finishes. Because a painted finish bubbles and cracks and chipped with use. It reinforces wanting to never shoot it and treat it like a collectors piece and thats just not my style. I want something that can get beat up nd im not worried about hurting the value. So I mean, again it sucks to hear your having issues. But at the same time, alot of people dont have issues with em. As long as you are doing your part in making sure what your buying isnt a lemon, you should be good and have nothing to worry about.