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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.
Not to be confused with the Zastava M85 - an AK-pattern rifle with some of the design features resembling the Soviet AKS-74U - the Zastava M85 Mini Mauser is a controlled feed, bolt action rifle presented by the Zastava company in 1985. The rifle was officially imported to the USA under the Remington 799 designation.
It comes with a cold-forged barrel made of chrome-vanadium steel. The Mauser flag-type safety had been replaced by a modern thumb safety positioned on the right upper side of the receiver which locks the bolt and blocks the trigger mechanism. On the opposite side of the receiver is a standard bolt release lever. For mounting purposes, there are four holes on the receiver, two on the front and two on the rear mounting surface.
The trigger comes pre-set at a pull weight of approximately 2041g (4,5lbs) and can be adjusted. The internal magazine with a hinged floorplate, released by a button at the front of the trigger guard, can hold up to five cartridges. M85 models that are chambered for .22 Hornet come with a detachable magazine. The rifle comes with a single trigger as a standard option; however, double-set triggers are also available. There is a factory-installed hooded ramp sight at the front end of the barrel and a rear sight that is adjustable for windage and elevation. Users can choose between half-stock and full-stock versions.
Figure 1: Zastava M85 Mini Mauser, chambered for 7.62X39mm (Source: https://atlanticfirearms.com/zastava-arms-lk-m85-rifle-7-62x39-l8762pm)
The M85 Mini Mauser rifle is chambered for the following calibers:
.22 Hornet
.222 Rem.
.223 Rem.
.222 Rem. Mag.
.22-250 Rem.
7.62x39
The receiver of the Zastava M85 Mini Mauser comes with four holes for mounting purposes, two on the front, and two on the rear mounting surface. There is no difference in height between the surfaces.
Figure 2: The receiver of Zastava M85 Mini Mauser, chambered for 7.62x39mm (Source: https://calibremag.ca/tag/527/)
A: 16 mm
B: 73 mm
C: 10 mm
BHU: 3 mm
Ø: 6-48
R1: R15.20
R2: R14/30°
All the rifles listed in the category below have one-piece scope mounts interchangeable with Zastava M85 Mini Mauser. For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension. The rifle that shares the same dimensions and mounting surface with Zastava M85 Mini Mauser is:
Remington 799
All the rifles listed in the category below have two-piece mounts interchangeable with Zastava M85 Mini Mauser. To meet interchangeability conditions, two-piece scope 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. The rifle that meets such criteria is:
If you are looking for a fixed mounting solution for your Zastava M85 Mini Mauser, we recommend this reliable two-piece mount produced by the German company MAK that is made of steel and comes with a thirty-year warranty.
Order MAKfix Rings with Bases
Detachable mounts can be easily installed and removed from the rifle which is especially useful for cleaning and maintenance purposes as well as versatility in using multiple optics on a single weapon. We recommend this detachable two-piece pivot mount made by the German company MAK that comes with a thirty-year warranty and is an ideal fit for the Zastava M85 Mini Mauser.
Check out MAKuick Detachable Rings with Bases
This Picatinny rail manufactured by the Bosnian company Optik Arms is made of steel and is a suitable choice for Mauser M85 Mini Mauser. Being one of the most versatile mounting solutions on the market, it will provide the user with numerous mounting possibilities. It comes with a ten-year warranty.
Click here for Optik Arms Picatinny rail
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: [email protected]
