Forget avocado toast and streaming subs—Americans in 2025 chase Eastern European AKs with the same passion. These rifles, rugged and reliable, dominate a niche in the market that outgrows itself year after year. What fuels this frenzy? Let’s break it down.
1. Overall Firearms Market: A Slow Burn, But Niche Thrives
U.S. firearm sales dipped roughly 3–4% in early 2025, with projected total around 15.5 million units, down from 16.1 million in 2024 . Analysts cite oversaturated inventory and waning post‑election panic buying. Yet, rifles remain a strong section of the pie. The global rifle market jumped from $2.92 billion in 2023 to $3.08 billion in 2024, with forecasts pegging CAGR at 5.8% through 2030. In the U.S., that growth mostly flows into semi-autos—including AK variants.
2. AK Craze: Not Just Russian Anymore
Russian AKs once dominated, but imports plunged 64% from 2015–19 to 2020–24. Sanctions, supply constraints, and shifting alliances forced buyers to explore other makers. Enter Eastern Europe—Serbia, Bulgaria, and Poland. Zastava, based in Kragujevac since 1853, leads the pack. In 2025, Zastava USA imports AKs, including the ZPAP-M70, M90, M77, and M85.
Buyers worship the M70 for its heavy receiver, bulged trunnion, and grenade-launching sights—heritage traits that scream durability. In plain English, it laughs at mud, snow, and your clumsiest range day.
3. Demand Metrics: Appetite on the Rise
Data from TrueGunValue shows that used Zastava rifles gained 19 units in demand over 12 months, and new rifles increased 11 units. That may not sound like much, but in a specialized market, even single-unit upticks reflect real interest. Price trends support this: new rifles hover around $1,130 on average, used around $766. With prices stable or modestly down (new rifles dropped about $68 over the year), steady demand paired with steady supply points to a balanced but growing market.
4. Why AKs? They Actually Work
These rifles win on three fronts:
- Durability: Eastern European AKs tolerate neglect. You can drop them in mud, freeze ’em in snow, soak ’em in rain. They’ll grin and go “again?”
- Heritage: Ruggedness forms part of the allure. These AKs trace roots back to the Cold War. Owning one feels like holding a legend.
- Upgradability: Zastava USA now ships chrome-lined barrels, modern furniture, and upgrade kits—straight from the source. So you get old-world toughness with “I can put modern stuff on it” power.
5. The Zastava Factor
Zastava USA changed the game in 2019 by importing directly, avoiding outdated Century Arms export quirks. Now they roll out the ZPAP M70 with quality manufacturing and better steel, at under $1,000, followed by aftermarket upgrades. Online chatter? One Redditor noted they got an email: “There will be NO price increases on the products we currently have in stock,” (noting they keep prices down even as other brands jack them up).
6. Supply Tanks? Maybe. Demand Stays
Global ammo shortages and import rules keep pressure on. Though AK demand ticks up, 7.62×39 ammo remains tight—rising from $0.20 to $0.35–0.50 per round. Even so, buyers pay up. As long as the ammo’s rolling, folks will still snag a rifle they know runs anything.
7. Forecast: 2025 and Beyond
Let’s gaze into the crystal ball (and use numbers). With the firearms market growing at ~5.5% annually (from $8.28B in 2023 to $8.73B in 2024), and rifles a key piece, expect AK niche growth too. Technavio projects rifle market growth at 3.5% annually through 2028. In practical terms: Eastern European AKs may go from 10% to 15–18% of U.S. rifle imports by 2025‑26.
Zastava leads here. Turkey makes noise—Canik, Sarsilmaz AK-style rifles gain ground —but Eastern European craftsmanship and name recognition retain strong grip. If no new import bans hit, expect Zastava to corner 40–50% of regional AK imports in North America by year-end.
8. Funny Thing: Nostalgia Sells Better Than New Tech
Enter smart guns and IoT rifles—tech on steroids. But in reality, folks buy AKs with no bells or whistles. The joke here: someone tethered a smart rifle to Wi‑Fi and it still misfires. Meanwhile, an AK built in 1975 runs fine after you empty a swamp behind it. So, the forecast says: legacy wins over tech flash.
9. Threats to the Market
- Import bans or surcharge laws: Politics can stomp demand overnight. If post‑Ukraine sanctions hit Serbia again, supply bleeds.
- Ammo shortages: If 7.62×39 dries up, new buyers will balk. Producers must normalize supply.
- Competing brands: Turkey, Poland, Bulgaria join the AK party. Prices keep competitive.
10. Summary Table
| Factor | Forecast Direction |
| U.S. firearm sales | Slight decline |
| Rifle segment | Moderate growth |
| Eastern EU AK demand | Steady increase |
| Zastava USA market share | Expanding |
| 7.62×39 ammo price | High but stable |
| Import risk | Moderate |
11. Final Takeaway
The 2025 Market Forecast for Eastern European AKs looks strong. Demand climbs. Zastava leads. Ammo prices stay high but manageable. Smart guns may hog headlines, but rugged AKs win hearts—and wallets. If you’re in the business, your best play: stock those ZPAP-M70s, monitor ammo cost, and get ready for another growth cycle.
Conclusion
The 2025 landscape favors Eastern European AKs in America. Rugged design, stable pricing, and a dedicated fanbase give these rifles an advantage. Zastava USA’s direct import, quality upgrade path, and pricing discipline cement their position. This niche thrives despite overall market stagnation. If you’re eyeing firearms retail or collecting, this is the moment to bolt on.
For serious shoppers, check Zastava’s AK lineup here: https://zastavaarmsusa.com/products/aks/.
To stay ahead of trends—and maybe grab a deal—head to the homepage in the conclusion: https://zastavaarmsusa.com/.
