A Brief History Of The AK-47
The original AK-47 was developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the mid-to-late 1940s for the Soviet Union. Built around the 7.62x39 cartridge, it initially utilized a two-piece receiver with a non-reciprocating charging handle and a gas system oriented above the barrel.
Kalashnikov's design philosophy was deceptively simple, integrating elements of successful firearms from years prior and iterating on those features to create a platform that was incredibly reliable yet easy to maintain. The result is the AK-47 we know and love today, with its improved single-piece receiver and reciprocating charging handle.
Pioneer Arms Forged Series AK-47 Sporter Rifle, Laminated Wood Stock, 7.62x39, Semi-Auto, 30rd, Polish Mfg, POL-AK-S-FT-W
After rigorous testing, the AK-47 was officially adopted in 1949 and was issued to Soviet troops over the next several years. Manufacturing at scale proved difficult, however, and production nearly stalled until the AK-47's milled receiver was replaced with a stamped sheet metal receiver.
An upgraded variant of the AK-47 (known as the AKM) combined this sheet metal receiver with the now-iconic 45-degree muzzle brake found on most modern AK-platform rifles. This configuration became incredibly popular with militaries around the world, who prized the AK-47 / AKM's rugged reliability and straightforward manual of arms.
Enter Yugoslavia & The Zastava M70
In the 1960s, the Yugoslav People's Army began searching for a new standard infantry rifle. The AK-47 was a top contender, but due to political differences between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia at the time, Zastava began development of their own unlicensed variant which would ultimately become the Zastava M70.
Reverse engineering the Soviet AK-47 resulted in several changes to the overall design, some born of necessity throughout the manufacturing process and others crucial improvements to meet the needs of Yugoslavia's troops in the field.
A Better Way To Make An AK?
The Yugo-pattern AK-47 was built to fire rifle grenades without requiring modification, and consequently the M70 features a thicker receiver with an enhanced latch on the dust cover. Additionally, the M70 incorporates a folding grenade sight bracket which doubles as a gas shutoff to mitigate wear on the bolt when firing grenades.
In another substantial departure from Kalashnikov's original design, the Zastava M70's receiver is almost completely flat on the left side - mainly due to the fact that these Yugo AKs do not have a last round bolt hold open lever. This is why Yugo AKs use different optic mounting systems than standard ComBloc AKs.
To address the lack of a last round bolt hold open lever, Yugo AK mags have special bolt-hold-open followers that allow the bolt to lock back after the last round is fired. Using these mags in a Yugo-pattern AK rifle or pistol means there is no loss in functionality compared to a standard ComBloc AK-47.
AK-47 30 Round Mag New, Steel, Made in Croatia W / Bolt Hold Open Followers
Later versions replaced the standard barrel trunnion with a bulged RPK-style trunnion, a feature retained by M70 rifles and pistols in today's market. Altogether, these refinements allowed the M70 to meet the needs of the Yugoslav People's Army (and eventually the country of Serbia, where Zastava is based) while producing an AK variant that is every bit as reliable as the original.
Yugo AK Vs. ComBloc AK, Which Is Best?
When shopping for an AK-47, many shooters start by choosing between a standard AK and a Yugo-pattern AK. This choice informs which models are readily available, which optics and furniture are compatible, and can even impact which magazines function best in the firearm.
Civilian gun owners seldom encounter scenarios that call for rifle grenades, so a regular ComBloc AK-47 is suitable for most shooters. However, for those who appreciate the history - down to all the small idiosyncrasies - the Yugo AK is well worth purchasing today. Both rifles can be had in standard, side folding, and underfolder configurations as well.
Ultimately, we think both ComBloc and Yugo AKs are great, thus the choice between the two is largely a matter of personal preference. That said, the Zastava M70 line will always hold a special place in our hearts due to its unique design and storied development process.
Discover The Incredible AK-47 Platform
If you're looking for a tried-and-true rifle or pistol, you can't go wrong with an AK-47. It's the most popular small arms platform in the world for a reason, and even the most basic entry-level model will withstand just about anything you can throw at it.
For even more information about the AK-47 and its history, watch our deep dive with Matt!
Loading...