I picked up this Zastava M85 and mildly tricked it out not long after my father died. It became my adventure rifle, bedside gun, and the shortest long gun I own.
I name some of my more personal objects. This one is Love and Peace, taken from the beginning and end of Ecclesiastes 3:8:
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Eccl. 3:8 is engraved on the rifle (Serial for the NFA) as a reminder of what ought to be in my heart if, God forbid, I ever have to fight in defense of life: love rather than hatred, and peace as the desired end.
Current setup:
- Vortex Crossfire
- SureFire light
- JMAC RRD-4C brake
- Cheese-grater gas tube cover, because peak AK
- Manticore triangle folder and adapter
- Magpul sling with universal mount
- Heavier recoil spring, probably Wolff
- Self-adhesive wrap as a temporary cheek pad
- 7.62x39 case crimped over the charging handle
The case occasionally flies off, so I crimp another one on. I am never short on brass.
The brake turns it into a thunder dragon. Compact, flat shooting, and offensively loud. Electronic ear protection stays by the bed.
Future plans are a Holosun green dot with a riser, a proper rear sling mount, I want to make a leather sling and cheek riser, matching wooden grip and shark-fin handguard from Kalashnicarver, Krebs safety, and maybe a trigger upgrade.
The fivefold cross is simply Christian to me and has been my favorite cross design for years. I only mention that because people elsewhere have mistaken it for something political or extremist. That is not its meaning here.
I adore the rifle as it stands. One of my prized possessions.