Zastava M808

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The History of Zastava

The beginnings of Zastava Arms reach back to 1853 when the company presented four cannons and two howitzers in their facilities in Kragujevac, Serbia. The factory was initially named Vojno-Tehnicki Zavod (Military Technical Institute) but was renamed at the end of the 19th century to Military Engineering Works. In 1904 the segment of the company dedicated to the automobile industry was opened which was renamed Zavodi Crvena Zastava ("Red Flag Factories") after World War II.

The arms production facilities were upgraded significantly in the 1860s and in 1880, the first repeating rifle inspired by the Mauser Model 1871 was presented by Kosta Milanovič. The rifle was also known under the name ‘Mauser Koka’. After a signed contract with FN Herstal in 1925, the company gained rights to produce the M24 series bolt-action rifles under their license. In 1928, Zastava started the production of rifles and ammunition in their new factory that was built only a few years prior. Due to enlarged facilities, they started manufacturing the Czechoslovakian 26 mm M 1929 signal pistols and light ZB vz. 26 machine guns under the Zbrojovka Brno license.

During World War II, Zastava facilities were severely damaged but were repaired in 1944 when the city of Kragujevac was liberated. Due to the ongoing war, the factory was repaired in the same year and the production of the 9mm M 1944 B2 submachine gun was launched.

After the War, Zastava M48 was introduced. The structural design of the M48 was based on the Belgian Mauser M24 series – a line of German Mauser Gewehr 98. The production of shotguns and small-bore rifles was launched in 1954 together with the M53 machine gun that evolved from the German MG 42. The derivatives of Soviet weapons can be traced back to Zastava as well. One such example is the PAP M59/66 semi-automatic rifle presented in 1961 which was manufactured as the licensed version of the Soviet SKS.

The M67 model which had been introduced in the following years set the foundations for the development of the Zastava M70 presented in 1970, which was later adopted by the Yugoslavian army. In the 1970s, a heavy machine gun was released which was design-wise much like the NSV machine gun. It was named Zastava M02 Coyote and it could fire over 700 rounds per minute. After a new plant had opened in the 80s, Zastava introduced several new models such as the M88 compact pistol, CZ99 pistol, M84, M86 and M92 machine guns etc.

Although the production was significantly slowed because of the UN sanctions during the Yugoslav wars, Zastava continued its production and signed an agreement with Remington Arms in 2005 which allowed for the export of hunting and sporting rifles to the United States. Consequently, the company was reconstructed in the following years. Despite the escalating debts, their facilities were modernized in 2017. In 2019, the company announced the opening of the Zastava Arms USA branch for import and distribution purposes, with the production of firearms significantly increasing in 2020.

Zastava M808 Rifle Review

Presented in 2007, Zastava M808 is a push-feed, bolt-action rifle based on a Mauser design. It features a rotating bolt with a recessed bolt face, plunger ejector and very wide hook extractor. The barrel is cold-forged from chrome-vanadium steel.

Contrary to the M70 model that has holes on the top of the receiver, the M808 comes with an integrated Picatinny rail for mounting purposes. The safety mechanism is different too - instead of a Mauser flag-type safety or a push lever that can be seen on the M70, the M808 boasts a three-position lever safety on the right upper side of the receiver, next to the bolt shroud. When the safety is pushed to the front position, the bolt is unlocked and the trigger can fire. The middle position puts the safety in the ‘secure’ mode. In this position, the bolt is unlocked but the trigger remains blocked. In the rearmost position, the safety is engaged, blocking the trigger and locking the bolt.

The magazine of M808 is made of polymer material and can be removed by a push-button catch positioned on the right side of the forearm. It has a capacity of five rounds for standard calibers and three rounds for magnum calibers.

The rifle is equipped with a single-set, double-action trigger. Pushing the trigger forward allows for a shorter pull length and lighter pull weight. Monte Carlo and Thumbhole stocks are available, both of which come with a rubber recoil pad.

Zastava M808

Figure 1: Zastava M808, chambered for .243 Win. (Source: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/zastava-arms-rifles/zastava---m808----243-win-.cfm?gun_id=101453135)

Zastava M808 Calibers

The rifle can be chambered for the following calibers:

.22-250 Rem.
.243 Win.
6mm Rem.
.25-06 Rem.
6.5x55 SE
6.5x57
.264 Win. Mag.
.270 Win.
7x57
7mm-08 Rem.
7mm Rem. Mag.
7x64
.308 Win.
.30-06 Spr.
.300 Win. Mag.
8x57 JS
9.3x62
.375 H&H
.458 Win. Mag.

Zastava M808 Variants

The M808 model is available in the following variants:
Zastava M808 Bavarian (high cheek pad)
Zastava M808 Varmint (thumbhole stock)

The receiver of Zastava M808 comes with an integrated Picatinny rail for mounting purposes.

The receiver of Zastava M808

Figure 2: The receiver of Zastava M808, chambered for .243 Win. (Source: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/zastava-arms-rifles/zastava---m808----243-win-.cfm?gun_id=101453135)

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M808

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M808

All the rifles listed in the category below have one-piece scope mounts interchangeable with Zastava M808. Rifles that have the same mounting surface as Zastava M808 are:

Rifles featuring a Picatinny rail for mounting purposes

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M808

All the rifles listed in the category below have two-piece scope mounts interchangeable with Zastava M808.

Rifles featuring a Picatinny rail for mounting purposes

Best Scope Mounts for Zastava M808

Fixed Scope Mounts for Zastava M808

We recommend this fixed mounting solution manufactured in Germany by the company INNOMOUNT. It fits the mounting surface of the Zastava M808 perfectly and comes with a 10-year warranty.

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for Zastava M808

If you are looking for a detachable mounting solution, you might consider purchasing this one-piece repeatable mount made by the German company EAW which comes with a thirty-year warranty.

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the scope mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: info@optics-trade.eu

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