Zastava M83 .357 Magnum Revolver

The Zastava M83 is a .357 Magnum revolver, originally designed by Crvena Zastava for export and later issued to Yugoslavian military NCOs and police forces in the late 1980s. These revolvers remained in service across the region, including Serbia and Macedonia, well after the dissolution of Yugoslavia.

This six-shot, double-action revolver is available with a 4-inch barrel and a blued finish. It features a side-opening cylinder, exposed hammer, and a frame-mounted firing pin with an automatic transfer bar safety for reliability. The smooth double-action pull and light, crisp single-action offer excellent shooting performance. There are three grip variations available for this model, each in either Good or Fair conditions:

• Original Factory Wood
• Aftermarket Wood
• Aftermarket Rubber/Plastic

Chambered in .357 Magnum, the M83 can also fire .38 Special. Built on a heavy-duty steel frame, these revolvers were designed for durability and years of service.

Historical Context:

Originally designed for export in 1983 by Crvena Zastava Arms in Kragujevac, Yugoslavia, the M83 revolver found unexpected domestic use when it was later adopted by the Yugoslav People’s Army and police forces. Unlike most Eastern Bloc nations that preferred semi-auto pistols, Yugoslavia equipped some NCOs and officers with this heavy-frame, six-shot revolver, built to withstand continuous use in the field.

After the breakup of Yugoslavia, these revolvers continued to serve in Serbia, Macedonia, and other successor states, proving their reliability. While its production declined in the mid-1990s, surplus M83s have only recently been imported, giving shooters and collectors a rare chance to own a true Cold War-era military revolver.

Specs