Are Zastava Imports to the U.S. on ice?
My NFA-registered Zastava M85 NP SBR in 5.56. The definition of a sweet shooter that is still very effective with 77-grain loads out to 200 yards. However, it is a flame thrower, especially at night. The stock is a USMG Galil style side folder, grip by Hogue, mag by Magpul (customized by moi), and sling by an old CCCP contractor. With the stock folded, the whole thing stows in a 21-inch space while still having a 10-inch barrel.
A thunderclap went through the AK community this week as rumors spread that the Serbian government was planning to halt exports of firearms and ammunition from the Balkan country.
To be sure, there is some smoke to that fire, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reacting to the ongoing crisis with neighboring Kosovo and Metohija in a 30-minute public address on July 6 by calling for an emergency session of the UN Security Council and for all sides to consider de-escalation. As reported by English-language local news sites, Vucic further stressed that a potential decision to suspend overseas exports of arms and ammunition will soon be made, citing vital national interest.
“Serbia is not preparing for waging a war, but has done everything to de-escalate conflicts,” said Vucic, as reported by Belgrade-based Radio B92. “Everything must be prepared in case of aggression against the Republic of Serbia.”
According to the most recent statistics by federal regulators, American importers brought in 46,799 firearms from Serbia in 2020, including 24,096 handguns and 22,703 rifles.
This represents the 14th highest country in terms of total firearms imported, falling just behind Israel (56,893 firearms) and Spain (58,981).
Chief among Serbia’s firearms manufacturers is Zastava Arms, the historic government-owned gun and field artillery concern located in Kragujevac, about 90 miles from Belgrade.
Zastava specializes in PAP series Kalashnikov variants and is one of the chief makers of European-made AKs on the American market. For reference, Romanian-made ROMARM/CUGIR AKs imported by Century under the Draco banner and Bulgarian-made Arsenal brands trail Zastava significantly in terms of quantity imported. Total firearm imports from Romania in 2020 amounted to 38,056 firearms, while those from Bulgaria numbered 20,671.
Long tied to importers such as Century Arms to bring their products into the U.S., Zastava formed an Illinois-based American subsidiary in 2019 and I was there to report on it.
Zastava USA issued a statement via social media this week regarding the reports of a looming export ban, stressing that everything was still undecided, and it was still business as usual for the time being.
“Please be assured that as of now, we are continuing to receive shipments as usual,” Zastava USA said on July 10. “While we understand the concerns surrounding this situation, we sincerely hope that the security situation in the region will be resolved peacefully. We believe that peace is in the best interest of all people in the Balkans, and we remain committed to supporting our customers and the community in any way we can.”
So, as of 0700 CST on 13 July 2023, the Serbian president hasn’t yet banned weapons export. Things still need to go through a legal process to make it happen. Further, as chances are that Zastava USA has a stockpile of guns and parts already waiting here in the States to clear Customs impound that are unlikely unable to be retrograded back “home,” even if Belgrade lowers the boom, what is currently in the pipeline will probably last for another year or so, which will (possibly) outlast the crisis, so don’t go panic buying.
With that being said, don’t go selling either…an AK in the hand is worth two in the bush so to speak.
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