Left-Handed Zastava Setups: Smart Setup Tweaks For AK Controls And Ergonomics

Left-handed shooters often hear: “Just learn to run it like a righty.” Hard pass. You invest in quality Zastava rifles, so you deserve comfort, speed, and control that match your dominant hand. Left-handed Zastava setups exist as a real thing, not as a compromise.

Zastava gives you a strong base: rugged Serbian AK rifles like the ZPAPM70 and other AK models, plus ambidextrous pistols and left-friendly bolt guns.

With a few smart tweaks, your rifle or pistol starts to feel tailor-made for southpaw life.

Why Zastava Works Well For Left-Handed Shooters

Zastava AKs, such as the ZPAPM70, M90, and M77, sit in the “robust and modern” category: 1.5 mm receivers, chrome-lined barrels on many models, and modern furniture options on select variants.

That sturdy base helps a lot when you adapt controls for left-hand use because the platform stays predictable.

Zastava also shows clear respect for lefties in other lines:

• The official FAQ mentions sporting rifles LK M70 and LK M85 in versions for left-handed shooters.
• The CZ999 and EZ9 pistols offer ambidextrous controls, including decockers on both sides.

So when you plan left-handed Zastava setups, you start with a manufacturer that already thinks about southpaws.

Pick The Right Zastava AK Base For Left-Handed Setups

The ZPAPM70 line offers multiple furniture and stock configurations, including classic wood, polymer, and modern extended handguard options.

Good starting points:

• Classic fixed-stock ZPAPM70 – Solid cheek weld, simple sling layout, and traditional AK feel.
• Modern furniture variants like the ZR7762XR – Factory folding stock, upgraded grip, extended handguard, and rail space for optics.
• Underfolder ZPAPM70 – For shooters who want compact storage and a retro look; Zastava’s underfolder article shows how that stock still offers practical ergonomics once you adapt to it.

Browse the full AK lineup on the Zastava AKs page and match the base rifle to your intended role: home defense, range work, or truck gun.

Safety And Selector Tweaks For Left-Handed Zastava Setups

The classic AK right-side selector lever often feels like a right-handed feature. Left-handed Zastava setups can still use it efficiently with a few habits and hardware choices.

1. Use the Support-Hand Index Knuckle: As a lefty, your support hand sits on the handguard. You can reach back with your index finger and sweep the selector up or down. Short, precise sweeps reduce noise and movement.
2. Run A Consistent “Selector Down” Ready Position: Many shooters leave the selector on “safe” until the rifle mounts to the shoulder. A left-handed shooter can keep the rifle at a low ready, then sweep to “fire” just before the cheek weld. Repeat this pattern with dry practice until it feels natural.
3. Combine With Modern Furniture: Rifles like the ZPAPM70 ZR7762XR include an extended handguard and upgraded grip, which give your support hand more control and stability during selector work.

You do not need to fight the selector. You simply use a repeatable motion that respects your left-handed stance.

Magazines, Reloads, And Bolt Control

Left-handed Zastava setups shine when reloads feel smooth. The AK magazine “rock and lock” method already relies on the support hand, which makes it friendly for southpaws.

Magazine Technique

• Use your right hand (support hand) to press the magazine release and rock the empty magazine out.
• Keep that same hand on the fresh magazine from your belt. Insert the front lug, then rock the magazine back until it locks.
• Maintain fire control with your left hand on the grip the entire time.

Factory Zastava magazines and accessory parts on the ZPAPM70 Accessories section keep fit and lockup consistent, which makes this motion reliable.

Bolt Manipulation

For most left-handed shooters:

• Roll the rifle slightly toward the right.
• Reach over the top or under the rifle with the support hand.
• Run the charging handle straight to the rear, then release.

This method keeps the muzzle on target and your dominant hand on the grip. 

Stock, Sling, And Furniture Choices That Favor Lefties

Furniture upgrades matter a lot for left-handed Zastava setups. The right stock and handguard change how the rifle sits in your shoulder and how your hands find controls.

Stocks And Cheek Weld

• Fixed stocks on classic ZPAPM70 AKs give a repeatable cheek weld for both sides.
• Underfolder models benefit from wraps or cheek sleeves, as Zastava’s own underfolder article hints, and many shooters report surprisingly comfortable use after a short adjustment phase.

The goal: a stock height that lines your left eye up with your chosen sight system without neck strain.

Slings And Attachment Points

A good sling sits at the heart of comfortable left-handed Zastava setups:

• Attach the front point far enough forward on the handguard so the rifle hangs flat, not at a weird angle into your kneecap.
• Use the rear point on the left side when possible so the rifle rests naturally across your chest.

Zastava’s ZPAPM70 accessories guide highlights factory slings and furniture, which keep compatibility simple and quality high.

Optics, Mounts, And Sights For Left-Handed Zastava Setups

Zastava AKs use side rails and modern handguards on many models, which eases optic setup for left-handed shooters.

Key points:

• Use side-rail mounts that sit low and centered. That approach keeps your cheek weld consistent and your left eye aligned with the optic.

• When you choose red dots or LPVOs, favor models with brightness controls that sit close enough for your support hand to reach without a big grip change.

• If you prefer irons, the classic sights on rifles like the ZPAPM70 already offer a simple and robust sight picture, and they work just as well from the left shoulder.

For suppressor-ready setups, our suppressor alignment rods and the VUK suppressor manual emphasize correct alignment on 14×1 left-hand threads, which many ZPAP rifles use.

Final Thoughts

Left-handed shooters do not need to accept awkward controls or clumsy ergonomics. With the right mix of Zastava hardware and a few simple habits, left-handed Zastava setups feel fast, natural, and confidence-inspiring.

Start with a solid AK base like a ZPAPM70 or another model from the Zastava AKs lineup.

Add factory accessories, smart sling placement, and left-friendly reload and selector techniques. Round everything out with an ambidextrous Zastava pistol and, if you like, a left-hand bolt rifle.