The hosts step out of the studio and into the warehouse to open a surplus crate of Zastava M83 revolvers. They describe it as a return to classic surplus crate openings, with this lot consisting of M83 .357 Magnum revolvers. The guns are all-steel, six-shot revolvers originally produced in the former Yugoslav region, later Serbia, and intended as police and law enforcement sidearms. Production dates in the crate range roughly from 1983 through the mid-1990s, with several iterations mentioned, including the M83, M83 87, and M83 93 or 94. The goal of the unboxing is to show real crate condition and the variety buyers can expect, rather than handpicked display pieces.
The first revolvers pulled from the crate are 4 inch blued Zastava M83s. The hosts note significant variation in grips, including original factory wood-style grips with the Zastava emblem, black polymer grips, synthetic wood, and heavily contoured aftermarket grips with pronounced finger grooves. All of these 4 inch blued models are sold by barrel length and finish, with grips assigned at random unless a hand-select cosmetic option is chosen. They emphasize that condition varies across the surplus lot, from better to more worn examples, but all are used service revolvers from the 1980s and 1990s. Trigger pulls differ from gun to gun, with some examples showing very smooth, crisp single-action and double-action operation that feels close to new despite their age.
Attention shifts to 4 inch nickel-finished M83 revolvers. The hosts point out that some nickel guns have been polished to a bright, shiny appearance, while others retain a more frosted look. Several examples feature decorative engravings, including hand-engraved patterns and what appears to be a sports team or national insignia on the frame or grip area. They highlight that these nickel revolvers are also chambered in .357 Magnum with six-shot cylinders and retain original Zastava markings on many examples. Some markings vary, with certain guns showing alternative text where the maker’s name would normally appear, and others including a city name under the rollmark. These differences suggest individual customization or later ownership modifications, adding uniqueness to each surplus revolver.
The hosts open another crate containing 6 inch barrel Zastava M83 revolvers in nickel and blued finishes. They compare these longer-barrel models to the 4 inch versions, noting that the 4 inch guns seem more practical for self-defense or hiking, while the 6 inch revolvers may appeal more for target shooting or collecting. They show examples with different sight configurations, including higher front sights and simple grooved rear sights machined into the topstrap. Grips again vary widely, from thin factory panels to very thick aftermarket grips suited for larger hands and managing .357 Magnum recoil. Some 6 inch revolvers display extensive engraving similar to earlier examples, reinforcing that many of these surplus guns were personalized over their service life.
While examining the 6 inch blued revolvers, the hosts discuss how blued finishes age and wear over time. They point out that some examples show a purplish hue, while others can develop greenish or sky-blue tones depending on the specific bluing chemicals and wear patterns. This color shift is presented as a characteristic of older blued firearms rather than a defect. They continue to highlight chunky grips that appear tailored for shooters with larger hands, contrasting them with thinner factory grips that may suit smaller hands better. After surveying the variety in the crates, they suggest taking several revolvers to the range to test them, indicating an interest in seeing how these surplus M83s perform under live fire.
Back in the video room, the hosts cover technical details of the Zastava M83 design. They reiterate that the revolvers are chambered in .357 Magnum and can also safely fire .38 Special cartridges for lower recoil or potentially more economical practice. The design is described as being based on a Smith & Wesson-style layout, with some J-frame influence. Mechanically, the M83 uses a firing pin mounted in the frame rather than on the hammer, combined with a transfer bar safety system. This places the revolvers in a more modern group compared to older, less safe revolver designs. Several examples are laid out on the table to show the range of grip shapes, finishes, and trigger characteristics present in the surplus batch.
The hosts close by focusing on the individuality of each Zastava M83 revolver. They note that every gun seems to have its own character, whether through grip style, engraving, or finish wear. Some revolvers feature what they describe as flashy touches, such as gold-colored accents combined with silver-toned nickel, while others remain plain but mechanically smooth. One host demonstrates how a particular thick, contoured grip fits his large hands perfectly, contrasting it with thinner factory grips that might better suit smaller hands. They compare preferences between nickel and blued finishes, with some favoring the darker blued look despite the appeal of bright nickel. The segment emphasizes that buyers can expect functional .357 Magnum revolvers with varied aesthetics and unique surplus history.
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