Knowledgeable of Zastava M88A?

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bricz75

New member
I'm considering the Zastava M88A. In the reviews at say Buds online, there seems to be more critical reviews of it compared to many other models. I've read Century Arms (who imports this model from Serbia) has awful customer service. I'm thinking if I acquired the M88A and had issues with it, I'd bring it to a gunsmith to be taken care of, rather than go through headaches with the importer.

If I had either a reliability or accuracy issue with it, what would it probably be and how much would it cost to fix?
 
Don't worry.

The Fedor Tokarev design is quite reliable and fundamental in nature. This pistol has been in service for 83 years, but chambered in 7.62 X 25. (Another high-pressure round). I owned one of these pistols and it should serve you well. I sold it because of hard times. It does have a "miltary type" trigger but nothing that will create problems with accuracy.

You must remeber that the pistol has fixed sights and are regulated to FMJ ammunition of the same type. The rear sight is "drift ur adjustable" as manufactured. Replacing them with adustable sights, is only as preactical as your budget/needs dictate.

Enjoy your new pistol.
 
Several years ago I purchased two 88s from Sarco. These were original police issue guns with wood grips and a ZCZ medallion inlaid into the grips. I have always said that they are the perfect size for a 9mm, and are de facto "Tokarev Commanders."

BTW: Norinco 213 Tokarev 9mm mags fit the Zastava, but you lose the finger rest.
 
I have the Zastava M70A, and have shot a couple-hundred rounds in a friend's Zastava M88A. The M88A is basically a compact version on the M70A. Mine had the front sight off center as delivered, and I had to drift it over to get point of aim & point of impact aligned. The clip that holds the take-down/slide release in place also bent & I replaced it. If you've searched this & other forums you've seen that sights are a recurring problem, but are something that can be fixed without great cost.

As far as accuracy & reliability, I would repeat the first response - don't worry about it. The TT33 design was for military use and it served for 15+ years for the Soviet Union and is apparently still in use by some far eastern countries today. These two Zasatva versions of the TT33 design are just as robust, & I've found their safety to be well executed. With my meaty hands, I get a little bit of hammer bite from the M88A. IMHO they are good value handguns. They may need a little tinkering to get the rough issues smoothed out, though.
 
I don't know what happened, but EAA was formerly handling the sale of those. Somehow, Century got involved in it, and now EAA no longer shows it on their website.

Anyway, I like the two I got from Sarco and have no problems with either of them.
 
The M70A is a better handgun than the M88A unless you need a smaller gun. The M70A is better for:

a) soaking up recoil,

b) the longer barrel provides higher velocity,

c) and the longer sighting plane provides better accuracy.

It's not a "coolness factor" it is just factual.
 
Comments by OP

The Fedor Tokarev design is quite reliable and fundamental in nature. This pistol has been in service for 83 years, but chambered in 7.62 X 25. (Another high-pressure round). I owned one of these pistols and it should serve you well. I sold it because of hard times. It does have a "miltary type" trigger but nothing that will create problems with accuracy.
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The reputation for reliability came using the 7.62 cartridge which is a bottleneck one. I don't know how much the straight-edged 9mm changes things. One fellow on a forum has the full size M70A. It has not run well out of the box. I don't know what the latest is on his.

Regarding the trigger, another fellow on a forum had a 'smith get the pull weight down and smooth it out.


Several years ago I purchased two 88s from Sarco. These were original police issue guns with wood grips and a ZCZ medallion inlaid into the grips. I have always said that they are the perfect size for a 9mm, and are de facto "Tokarev Commanders."

BTW: Norinco 213 Tokarev 9mm mags fit the Zastava, but you lose the finger rest.
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Interesting Sarco sold the 88s. IIRC, the older 88's didn't have the external safety the newer ones have. Also, IIRC, they were available in .40 as well.

De facto "Tokarev Commander" sounds like an excellent and descriptive term for the M88A. Yes, perfect size for a single-stack 9mm.

Thanks for the info about the Norinco mags.


The TT33 design was for military use and it served for 15+ years for the Soviet Union and is apparently still in use by some far eastern countries today.
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Yes, still in use in the east.

Off Topic: I wish we could buy new Norinco pistols.


I don't know what happened, but EAA was formerly handling the sale of those. Somehow, Century got involved in it, and now EAA no longer shows it on their website.
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EEA's reputation for customer service may be even worse than Century Arms.


The M70A is a better handgun than the M88A unless you need a smaller gun.
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Though if there is something about the M88A in the design that is good for the 9mm cartridge that the M70A doesn't have...Possible example in another design: S&W M&P's have a better history in .40 than 9mm. They were created with the .40 in mind.

Thanks for the responses, all.
 
FWIW I have a Chinese Tokarev in 9mm. I got it used and it looked like many thousands of rounds had been put through it. It has functioned flawlessly for me. I was not surprised. All of the Russian/Soviet designed firearms I have owned have been reliable. I have heard that they couldn't make cars and many other consumer goods worth squat, but their firearms seem to be top notch.
 
I wish I had my M70A once again. (I would have a custom 6" barrel made for it). Talk about accurate and fun, reliable was the word for it.
 
CAI repaired my imported pistol for free. When it was returned to me, there was a repair invoice where they sent it out to a gunsmith to be fixed. CAI's customer service was good to me.
 
I wish I had my M70A once again. (I would have a custom 6" barrel made for it). Talk about accurate and fun, reliable was the word for it.
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I've seen them online for $260 or so. Some time ago I saw them for $200.
 
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