Zastava M85
The Zastava M85 is a Serbian AK-style pistol chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, built to the same quality standards as Zastava’s acclaimed ZPAP rifle series. It features a cold-hammer-forged barrel, properly heat-treated bolt and bolt carrier, and the robust construction that distinguishes Zastava AK-pattern products from less carefully built alternatives. The M85 gives AK-platform shooters the option to run 5.56 NATO/.223 ammunition in a short-barreled AK configuration, expanding both ammunition options and platform versatility.
Read our full Zastava M85 Buying Guide ↓
Platform Overview
The M85 is built on a standard AK-pattern receiver with the gas system and bolt carrier group scaled for 5.56x45mm NATO. Barrel length is typically 10 inches, classifying it as a pistol for federal purposes. The short barrel and AK-pattern controls make it a compact, capable platform for close-range use. Zastava’s cold-hammer-forged barrel provides superior wear resistance compared to button-rifled alternatives, and the military-specification heat treatment on bolt and carrier ensures long-term reliability under sustained firing.
M85 vs. M92
The Zastava M85 chambers 5.56 NATO while the M92 chambers 7.62x39mm. The M85 in 5.56 offers lower ammunition cost, higher velocity from the same barrel length, and wider ammunition variety including premium defensive and hunting loads. The M92 in 7.62x39 provides the traditional AK cartridge with a heavier bullet and more energy at moderate distances. Both are built to identical Zastava quality standards with the same construction methods. The choice comes down to ammunition preference and whether you want 5.56 or 7.62 performance.
Construction Quality
Zastava’s reputation rests on building AK-pattern products to proper military specifications. The M85 benefits from the same cold-hammer-forged barrel and properly treated bolt carrier group as the full-size ZPAP M70. This matters for long-term reliability—improperly heat-treated AK bolts and carriers can wear or crack under sustained firing, a failure mode that Zastava’s military-specification manufacturing eliminates. For an AK-platform pistol intended for serious use, the M85 represents the quality tier that knowledgeable AK buyers seek.
Suppressor and Brace Use
The M85 is a natural candidate for pistol brace use and suppressor mounting given its short configuration and AK-pattern design. Thread pitch varies by model—confirm the barrel thread pitch before purchasing a suppressor or thread adapter. Pistol brace options for AK-pattern pistols are widely available from SB Tactical and other manufacturers. Ensure your configuration complies with current federal and state regulations before modification or suppressor attachment.
Related Pages
Browse our Zastava brand page for the full Zastava lineup, or see our AK-47 pistols page for other AK-style pistol options. See our .223/5.56 ammo page for ammunition to pair with your M85.