If rifles had personalities, the Zastava M91 would be the quiet, serious guy in the corner who doesn’t say much—until he clears a 600-yard target like it’s just another Tuesday. Designed with battlefield heritage and sniper precision in mind, this semi-automatic marksman rifle takes a beloved Soviet-era cartridge and delivers it with Serbian precision.
Now that it’s available to civilian marksmen and collectors alike, it’s time to find out if the M91 is more than just a DMR cosplay. Spoiler alert: It’s the real deal. And we’re not just talking Cold War aesthetics—we’re talking tight groups, rock-solid reliability, and the kind of accuracy that makes paper targets nervous.
Let’s head to the range and break down what the Zastava M91 can really do.
What Is the Zastava M91?
In case you missed the product page, the Zastava M91 is a designated marksman rifle based on the Kalashnikov system. It chambers the powerful 7.62×54mmR round—aka the same round that’s been ringing steel and dropping targets since the days of the Mosin-Nagant and Dragunov SVD.
But make no mistake—this isn’t a clone. The M91 is Zastava’s own refined design, developed for the Serbian military and now available for civilian use in the U.S. It’s got all the reliability you’d expect from an AK-based rifle, with the accuracy and ergonomics of a modern DMR.
First Impressions at the Bench
Pulling the M91 out of the case is a vibe. It looks like it walked off a Cold War battlefield and straight onto your shooting bench, complete with a heavy-profile barrel, skeletonized stock, and classic wood furniture that screams “military heritage.”
It also weighs about 10.5 lbs unloaded, which is just heavy enough to absorb recoil without dragging you down like a barbell. Add a scope and mag, and you’re still comfortably under 12 lbs—a manageable package for prone shooting or a bipod-supported position.
We mounted the POSP 4×24 rifle scope for our test, which matches the aesthetic and offers surprisingly good glass for a factory-optic combo. Bonus points for the BDC reticle, which makes ranging a breeze once you know your ballistics.
Ergonomics: Not Your Grandpa’s Mosin
Despite its roots in Soviet-era design, the Zastava M91 feels remarkably modern in hand. The adjustable cheek rest helps you line up the scope perfectly, while the thumbhole stock gives excellent control, even when firing from awkward positions.
The safety selector is the classic AK-style lever, so no surprises there—if you’ve shot any Kalashnikov, you’ll feel right at home. The trigger is also much better than we expected. It breaks at around 4.5 pounds with minimal creep and a clean reset. Not a match-grade two-stage, but very usable and consistent for practical shooting.
Feeding the Beast: 7.62×54mmR
The M91 eats the venerable 7.62×54mmR cartridge—a round that predates both World Wars but still punches with authority. Whether you’re feeding it surplus spam-can specials or modern hunting loads, this rifle performs.
We loaded up with both surplus and commercial ammo using Zastava’s 10-round magazine. Mag insertion and release were smooth, and we had zero feeding issues during our test session. That’s no small feat for a rimmed cartridge known for being a bit… temperamental.
On the Firing Line: Range Performance
Now for the fun part. We zeroed the rifle at 100 yards and quickly started punching groups with surplus ammo. Even with decades-old rounds, the M91 kept shots within a 2 MOA spread—totally respectable for semi-auto DMR work.
Switching to modern PPU 182gr loads shrunk our groups to around 1.5 MOA. Not too shabby for a military-style rifle with a factory scope.
At 300 yards, the POSP reticle helped us walk shots onto steel plates with almost laughable ease. The combination of the long barrel, heavy cartridge, and sturdy optic made for consistent hits, even with variable wind.
By the end of the day, the barrel was hot, our shoulders were sore, and we had a new respect for this Serbian sleeper.
Recoil and Reliability
The recoil feels more like a strong push than a sharp jab. That’s thanks to the rifle’s heft and long-stroke gas system, which tames the punch of the 7.62×54mmR into something quite manageable.
We put over 200 rounds through the M91 without a single malfunction. No FTFs, no jams, no hiccups. Just smooth operation from start to finish. This thing runs like a sewing machine… if sewing machines were forged from steel and ran on powder and brass.
Cleaning and Maintenance
AK-style rifles have always had a reputation for being easy to maintain, and the M91 is no exception. Field stripping is straightforward. The internals are robust, and carbon buildup doesn’t seem to affect reliability in the slightest.
Just clean the piston, wipe down the bolt, swab the barrel, and you’re good to go. Honestly, if you can clean a regular AK, the M91 won’t surprise you.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to clean your scope glass. Not because it’ll break the gun—but because it’s hard to feel cool when you can’t see your target.
Is It a Dragunov Replacement?
Let’s address the 800-pound gorilla in the room. People love to compare the Zastava M91 to the Russian SVD Dragunov. And sure, they share DNA: both are semi-auto DMRs firing the same cartridge, built with battlefield reliability in mind.
But the M91 is not a Dragunov copy. It’s more rugged, simpler internally, and designed for easier mass production and maintenance. And guess what? You can actually buy the M91 in the U.S., unlike real SVDs, which are rarer than unicorns with FFLs.
Final Verdict: Should You Get One?
If you’re into AKs and want something with more reach, more punch, and way more cool factor than your standard 7.62×39 rifle, the Zastava M91 is a no-brainer. It balances reliability with long-range capability and brings a classic military look with modern performance.
Here’s the final breakdown:
✅ Pros:
- Battle-proven design
- Excellent accuracy for a semi-auto
- Legendary 7.62×54mmR performance
- Reliable as gravity
- Feels like a piece of history
❌ Cons:
- It’s long and heavy—leave the speed drills to the AR crowd
- Ammo isn’t cheap unless you hoard surplus
- You’ll want a second one just to keep pristine
This rifle doesn’t just shoot—it tells stories, and every pull of the trigger feels like flipping a page in a history book… that also kicks a little.
Check out the Zastava M91 here, pair it with the POSP 4×24 scope, and stock up on extra mags before your next range day.
Just be prepared: once you shoot it, your bolt guns might start collecting dust.
