Zastava M59/66 (PAP)

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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 M59/66 PAP SKS Rifle Review

The Zastava PAP SKS is a semi-automatic rifle that was manufactured by Zastava Arms in Yugoslavia, following the acquisition of a license to produce the Soviet SKS in 1959. The production began as part of a broader trend where several Soviet allies, including Yugoslavia, China, North Korea, and East Germany, obtained rights to the SKS design.

The original SKS design was created in 1945, around the time World War II ended. Production of what would later be known as the Zastava PAP or M59 and M59/66 PAP models started initially at the Preduzeće facility, a successor to the Yugoslav Military Technical Institute, with limited production commencing in 1961 and serialized mass production starting in 1964.

The first models produced in Kragujevac, designated as M59, resembled late Soviet-style carbines but did not have chrome-lined barrels. In 1966, the M59 was upgraded to the M59/66, featuring an integrated grenade launcher spigot for 22 mm rifle grenades and a gas shutdown for enhanced cycling. These rifles included a built-in spigot at the barrel front for firing grenades and a mechanism to halt semi-automatic action during grenade firing. They were also equipped with a Yugoslavian-made bayonet, chambered for the 7.62x39 caliber, and had a 10-round internal box magazine with a curved steel floorplate. Due to the popular design, various aftermarket magazine extensions can be found even nowadays. PAP rifles operate using gas and a tilting bolt, with a bolt handle on the right side and a safety lever above the trigger guard.

All versions had front post sight and rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation. In its final production years, the M59/66 was made with either painted phosphorous night sights or flip-up tritium sights, and this version was designated as the M59/66 A1. The rifles came with wooden stocks, some fitted with sling swivels and hard rubber recoil pads towards the end of production.

Over the years, Zastava produced more than 250,000 of these rifles, which were used by the Yugoslav military, replacing the bolt-action M48 models.

Zastava PAP SKS Model 59/66, chambered for 7.62x39

Figure 1: Zastava PAP SKS Model 59/66, chambered for 7.62x39 (Source: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/sks-rifles/yugo-zastava---model-59-66-pap---7-62x39-mm.cfm?gun_id=102305817)

Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS Calibers

The rifle can be chambered for the following calibers:

7.62x39

Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS Variants

The rifle is available in the following variants:

Zastava M59/66A1
Zastava M59/66A1 PROTOKOL
Zastava M59/66 Civilian

The receivers of Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS do not come with top-drilled and tapped holes for scope mounting purposes. To install an optic, holes should be drilled on the side of the receiver and a side scope mount used.

The receiver of Zastava PAP SKS Model 59/66, chambered for 7.62x39

Figure 2: The receiver of Zastava PAP SKS Model 59/66, chambered for 7.62x39 (Source: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/sks-rifles/yugo-zastava---model-59-66-pap---7-62x39-mm.cfm?gun_id=102305817)

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension.

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

To meet interchangeability conditions, two-piece mounts must match in all dimensions except the B distance. B distance can vary because two-piece mounts can be installed and adjusted closer or further apart.

Please note that the Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS receivers do not come with pre-drilled and tapped holes for scope mounting. To install an optic, it is necessary to drill holes in the side of the receiver and use a side scope mount.

Unfortunately, we were unable to find the exact dimensions of the Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS mounting surface, thus we are unable to provide you with a list of interchangeable scope mounts. Should you happen to own this rifle and would be willing to share with us more information regarding interchangeability, we kindly ask you to contact us at info@optics-trade.eu

Thank you for your help!

Best Scope Mounts for Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Fixed Scope Mounts for Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

If you are looking to add an optic to your Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS, you might want to consider this fixed scope mount with 30 mm rings, manufactured by the Croatian company Rusan. The mount comes with a 10-year warranty and is made of the highest-quality steel.

Picatinny Rails for Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Rusan also makes a Picatinny rail, should you want to broaden your scope-mounting options. Like the fixed mount with rings, the Picatinny is backed by 10 years of 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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Zastava M59/66 (PAP)

Sub Categories

The History of Zastava

Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS Rifle Review

Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS Calibers

Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS Variants

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Best Scope Mounts for Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Fixed Scope Mounts for Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Picatinny Rails for Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

Rusan Side mount, PAP - SKS, picatinny rail, steel

Rusan Side mount for PAP/SKS, steel - rings 30 mm

Rusan Side mount for PAP/SKS, steel - rings 26 mm

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Zastava M59/66 (PAP)

Sub Categories

The History of Zastava

Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS Rifle Review

Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS Calibers

Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS Variants

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Best Scope Mounts for Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Fixed Scope Mounts for Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Picatinny Rails for Zastava M59/66 PAP SKS

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

Rusan Side mount, PAP - SKS, picatinny rail, steel

Rusan Side mount for PAP/SKS, steel - rings 30 mm

Rusan Side mount for PAP/SKS, steel - rings 26 mm

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