Zastava M808

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

Filters

Sort

In stock

Hawke 9-11mm Match Mounts, 25.4mm (1 inch), medium

$31.00

Add to compare

In stock

Hawke 9-11mm Match Mounts, 25.4mm (1 inch), high

$31.00

Add to compare

Hawke 9-11mm Match Mounts, 25.4mm (1 inch), low

$31.00

Add to compare

Filters

Sort

Airguns or pellet guns (the name comes from projectiles they shoot – pellets) are popular among all generations of people with a variety of different interests.

They are used for

plinking,
hunting,
sport competitions etc.

All these activities demand variety of different airguns. A lot of these applications do not require a rifle scope for using an air gun, but some of them do – especially hunting or long range shooting.

Hawke 9-11mm Match Mounts, 30mm, high

General Features of Airgun Scope Mounts

It is common to almost all airguns that they have 11 mm dovetail on the receiver. This dovetail is full length and it is used for mounting a rifle scope or diopter. Such dovetails are basically the same as on the rimfire rifles (.22 calibre). It is important to know that they share the same mounting platform and this is why we can found airgun scope mounts also on rimfire rifles and normally, similar scopes are used on both types of rifles.

When thinking of mounting a rifle scope on the airgun, we have to consider that spring powered airguns have strong recoil in both directions. This is why the robustness and rigidness of the mounts is extremely important (especially with spring powered airguns). This problem is not the case with rimfire rifles, where recoil is very mild.

Mostly, these mounts are made from aluminium and can also have a screw that serves as recoil stopper. The screw can be placed vertically, but with the two part design scope mounts, screw can be placed horizontally. Although, majority of airgun scope mounts comes without recoil notches. There are two options available for mounting the scope on the airgun monoblock scope mount: 25.4 mm (1’’) or 30 mm rings. Other dimensions can also be found, however - they are extremely rare.

Normally, airgun mounts are affordable and in most cases fixed. Detachable airgun scope mounts are usually very rare. However, the most affordable airgun mounts are also the ones from the lowest quality (although, sufficient) and high quality mounts can be expensive, too.

Adjustable inclination on the rifle scope mounts is advisable, usable and a lot of times needed (because of the imperfections of different parts – rifle, mount, rings and dovetail). Some of the mounts also have recoil buffer available. There are also available shock absorbing recoil buffers that can be bought separately and installed behind the scope mount and help to absorb recoil.

BKL 0.6" Long Dovetail Rings, 30 mm

BKL 0.6" Long Dovetail Rings, 30 mm

Monoblock Scope Mounts for Airguns

Monoblock scope mounts for airguns are definitely more reliable than two piece scope mounts. This is normally because they can handle recoil much better. They are robust, rigid, hard and they offer great clamping surface for the dovetail. However, with monoblock scope mounts, setting the proper eye relief might be an issue in some cases. Also, monoblock mounts are almost always more expensive than similar two piece mounts. Clamping surface on the rail which is connected to the rings in one piece is usually higher than it can be with comparable two piece mounts. This might also be an disadvantage, worth mentioning.

One Part and Two Part Design of Airgun Scope Mounts

When we are talking about two piece solutions of airgun mounts, we should not forget to mention some of the differences between one part and two part design of these mounts. One part design is easier to produce, therefore these mounts are cheaper as a rule. Versatility with one part design of scope mounts is normally poor. More options of mounting a scope are normally available with two part design scope mounts. It is good to know that airgun scope mounts for rifle scopes with rail systems are not usual (actually, they are rare). If they are available, they are normally available with two part design of scope mounts. Example for such mount could be Recknagel’s tip off mount for 11 mm dovetail on the bottom and with Zeiss rail option (ZM/VM) on the top. They also offer a LM rail version of these mounts.

Zastava M808

The History of Zastava