Brandon and Matt from Classic Firearms introduce the Zastava M77 as a .308 Winchester / 7.62x51 designated marksman rifle tailored for the U.S. market. They position it as an AK-pattern rifle optimized for magnified optics and extended-range shooting. The hosts outline key specs: a 19.7-inch barrel, overall length of about 40.5 inches in this configuration, and a 1:10 twist rate suited to common .308 bullet weights. The rifle uses a 1.5mm thick stamped receiver with a bulged front trunnion for added strength to handle 7.62x51 pressures. An adjustable gas system with three settings is highlighted as a major feature, allowing tuning for different loads or suppressed use. The M77 includes a side-mounted optics rail and an aluminum optics mount in the DMR package, making it ready for scopes out of the box. They also note the skeletonized hardwood stock, hardwood pistol grip and handguard, long flash hider, and that the package ships with a 20-round magazine plus an additional lower-capacity mag ideal for prone or bench shooting.
The video shifts to the front of the Zastava M77, focusing on the sighting system and gas block. The front sight tower is described as a traditional AK-style unit, but with a windage-adjustable barrel component and an elevation-adjustable front post. The hosts emphasize that these adjustments are primarily for initial zeroing rather than something shooters constantly change in the field. Just behind the front sight sits a 45-degree adjustable gas block with three clearly defined settings, allowing the shooter to tune the rifle for different ammunition or conditions. A fixed, non-rotating front sling attachment point is integrated near the gas block. The hardwood upper and lower handguards are shown, matching the wood stock and grip. Moving rearward, the rear sight is a classic AK open V-notch with a sliding elevation ramp, and the hosts compare the feel and sight picture to pistol-style open sights versus AR-style peep sights. They reiterate the robust bulged front trunnion with magazine-stabilizing dimples and the riveted stamped receiver, then point out the standard AK safety lever that includes a cutout to hold the bolt open for range safety checks.
Attention turns to the M77’s controls and magazine setup. The AK-style safety lever is revisited, with emphasis on the bolt hold-open cutout that allows the shooter to manually lock the bolt to the rear for showing clear. The hosts explain how some Serbian magazines use a specially shaped follower to hold the bolt open on empty, but note that the included magazines do not have this feature. They compare the aesthetics and practicality of shorter .308/7.62x51 magazines versus full 20-rounders, pointing out that a tall magazine can contact the ground when shooting prone or off a bipod, making shorter mags attractive for DMR-style use. The magazine release is praised for being unusually smooth right out of the box, aiding quick and positive mag changes. Discussion moves to the AK trigger, which they describe as having noticeable take-up followed by a defined wall and a crisp break, giving it a feel similar to a two-stage trigger. Using a trigger pull gauge, they begin measuring the pull weight and find it consistently around 3.6 pounds, which is notably light for an AK-pattern rifle chambered in .308.
The hosts continue testing the Zastava M77’s trigger, taking multiple readings with the gauge. Results cluster between about 3.4 and 3.7 pounds, confirming a light, consistent pull that they consider excellent for a .308 Win AK intended for precision and designated marksman roles. They stress how this quality trigger helps shooters take advantage of the cartridge’s range potential. The hardwood pistol grip is examined, with comments that its texture and shape are serviceable, though some shooters may prefer a modern plastic AK grip for ergonomics. A key durability feature is then highlighted: Zastava’s rear receiver locking mechanism for the recoil spring and dust cover. This system positively locks the dust cover in place, preventing it from flexing or popping off under the heavier recoil of 7.62x51, and must be disengaged during disassembly. The skeletonized hardwood stock is shown in detail, including its asymmetrical cutouts, rear sling swivel, and a firm rubber butt plate designed to help manage recoil. The hosts estimate the rifle’s weight and introduce a FedEx shipping scale to verify their impressions on camera.
Using the FedEx shipping scale, the presenters place the bare Zastava M77 on the platform and read off a weight of about 8.49 pounds. They remark that the rifle feels lighter than the number suggests, leading into a discussion of balance and weight distribution. More mass toward the rear or centered between the shooter’s hands makes a rifle feel easier to hold and transition, whereas a muzzle-heavy setup feels more fatiguing even at the same total weight. Next, they install the included side-mounted optics rail onto the receiver’s side rail interface and re-weigh the rifle. With the aluminum mount attached, the weight comes in around 8.89 pounds. The hosts compare this favorably to heavier long-range rifles like the Azrael, noting that the M77 remains relatively light for a .308 DMR platform. They describe the optics mount as aluminum to save weight while still being durable, and emphasize that it is designed to maintain a repeatable zero despite being quick-detach and easy to remove for cleaning or transport.
Focus returns to the optics solution on the Zastava M77. The quick-detach side rail mount is shown locking onto the rifle’s side rail with a mechanical stop that ensures consistent positioning each time it is reattached, supporting a repeatable zero. The hosts contrast this with less stable AK optics solutions such as railed dust covers or railed gas tubes, which can shift or be affected by heat, potentially disturbing zero. A notable feature of the mount is a trough cut down the center of the Picatinny section, allowing the shooter to see and align the factory iron sights underneath a mounted optic, offering a form of co-witness or at least backup sight capability. They then measure the rifle’s overall length at roughly 41.5 inches. Height is measured at about 7.75 inches with the optics rail installed and around 7 inches without it, with the front sight tower already sitting relatively high. The hosts note that longer magazines will extend further downward, increasing the rifle’s overall profile when loaded, which can matter for storage, transport, and shooting from low rests.
In the closing portion, the discussion centers on caliber performance. The hosts contrast 7.62x39 and 5.56 NATO, acknowledging each has its place but highlighting the significant step up in energy and effective range when moving to 7.62x51 / .308 Winchester in a platform like the Zastava M77. They frame the M77 as a way to get traditional AK ergonomics and reliability while tapping into the extended reach and terminal performance of .308, making it suitable for designated marksman roles, hunting, or general-purpose long-range shooting. Viewers who already own the Zastava M77 in .308, whether in the wood-stock DMR configuration or polymer variants, are invited to share their experiences in the comments. The hosts specifically ask for feedback on reliability, accuracy, and preferred rail or optic setups to help prospective buyers researching the rifle. The video concludes with a friendly sign-off, including well-wishes for safety and a lighthearted correction of their usual Classic Firearms closing line.
Loading...