In these days of the declining dollar it is hard to find a bargain but in the recent flyer from Century Arms I came across the Zastava side by sides. I've gotten some real stinkers in the past and so was a bit hesitant but figured at the price they were asking if the gun was just safe to fire I could cut it down to a 20" coach gun and palm it off on a Cowboy.
When the gun arrived I was rather pleasantly surprised and after a good degreasing in a pail of paint thinner I was even more pleased. No cutting of this one, it is a fine upland bird gun as is. They had 12 and 16 gauge guns but I chose the 16 because it was nearly a pound lighter and forty bucks cheaper. Mine scales 6 5/8 pounds and cost me $147.85 delivered, that's shipping and all. Now I am an FFL holder so if you order one through your local dealer do not begrudge him a fair commission, it will still be a bargain. These days the El Cheapo Stevens 311 is going for twice as much and isn't half the gun.
The Zastava is made in the former Yugoslavia and bears the stamp of Century Arms International. The bottom of the receiver is deeply stamped "C.I.A. Georgia, Vt." and a second line reads "Zastava Serbia M75 16 GA". Since Century imports military hardware I don't know how these sporting guns came into their inventory. Perhaps border guards, security guards, police or forest rangers? Confiscated civilian guns?
Any how, it was described as "good" condition and I think that is fair. The gun has been reblued at some point and has picked up a bit of rust since then. The wood is scratched, dented and oil stained but sound. The double underlugs and top bite lock up like a vault and the bores are spotless and mirror bright. I don't care much for the forend shape, rather boxy, but it is well secured with a proper latch. Under the forend the barrels are stamped "POLA CHOKE" on the right and "PUN CHOKE" left. I have no idea what those words mean nor even what language it might be but measurement reveals .026" constriction in the right tube and .036" left, which corresponds to the standard modified and full chokes in the 27 1/2" barrels. The sling swivels and raised cheek piece are nice European touches.
The 16 gauge may be an odd bird these days but for upland hunting a 16 will do all I need, besides, it was lighter and cheaper. The ammo is not so common as is 12 and 20 gauge but still one can find anything they may need, albeit with a bit of searching. I picked up one box each of Federal one ounce loads in number 6 and 7 1/2 shot, one box of Fiocchi 1 1/8 ounce number 6 and two five packs of Federal slugs and two of Federal buck. I haven't had a chance to pattern any loads but those shiny bores and tight chokes promise some useful shooting even on distant pheasant.
If, like me, you admire the plain jane working side by side double trigger double gun I think you'll agree the Zastava is a real bargain. Get the 16, it's lighter and cheaper.
