CZ-999

 

CZ-999 pistol, right side view

CZ-999 pistol, left side view

CZ-999 pistol, top view on the slide, with trigger mode switch in intermediate position. Note "R" (revolver mode) and "P" (Pistol mode) markings.

Type: Double Action
Calibers: 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum
Weight: 828 g empty; 1034 g loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition
Length: 198 mm
Barrel length: 108 mm
Capacity: 15 rounds

The CZ-999 pistol, made by Zastava Arms of Serbia and Montenegro (former Crvena Zastava arms factory, Yugoslavia), is a further development of the CZ-99 pistol by the same manufacturer. Being externally and internally quite similar to its predecessor, the CZ-999 nevertheless has some interesting features. First, it has a selectable mode trigger system, with two modes of fire, Pistol and Revolver. In Pistol mode, first shot can be made either in Single action (hammer is cocked manually before shot) or in Double action (hammer is lowered, and then cocked via the long pull of the trigger). All subsequent shots are made in Single action mode, unless hammer is lowered manually by the decocker lever. In Revolver mode, hammer still can be cocked manually, but it is lowered automatically after each shot, so each subsequent shot is made in Double Action mode, unless hammer is cocked manually. Another interesting feature is the "ammunition supply is low" indicator. This indicator is made in the form of the pin, which protrudes from the grip into shooter's palm when only three or less rounds are left in the magazine. The grip shape also is slightly improved when compared to CZ-99.

The CZ-999 is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. Barrel is locked to the slide by single large lug, which engages the ejection port. The Browning-type cam system is used to lock and unlock the barrel from the slide. Frame is made from aluminum alloy, slide is stamped from sheet steel, with separate steel breech block insert, fixed by the cross pin. Double action trigger system, with external hammer, has an automatic firing pin safety, and ambidextrous decocker levers, on both sides of the grip frame. The decocker levers also operate the slide stop, reducing the number of manual controls. Pistol is also equipped with loaded chamber indicator. The trigger mode selector switch is located at the top left side of the slide, and marked with letters "P" (Pistol mode) and "R" (Revolver mode). Standard sights are of fixed variety, with white dot inserts, and both sights are dovetailed into the slide.

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CZ-99

 

CZ-99 pistol, right side view

CZ-99 Compact, left side view

CZ-99S, with additional manual safety, mounted on the slide

Type: Double Action
Calibers: 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum and .40S&W
Weight: 860 g empty; 1145 g loaded with ammunition
Length: 190 mm
Barrel length: 108 mm
Capacity: 15 rounds (9mm) or 10 rounds (.40)

The CZ-99 pistol (also sometimes referred to as CZ99) was developed by the former Crvena Zastava arms factory from former Yugoslavia, now Zastava Arms Co from Serbia and Montenegro. The CZ-99 was developed as a service pistol, and is also available for export sales. The copies of this pistols were briefly manufactured in Israel and South Africa. In general, CZ-99 appears to be a good combat pistol, well made, relatively inexpensive and with decent ergonomics.

The CZ-99 is apparently patterned after famous SIG-Sauer P226 pistol, but with several modifications. The CZ-99 is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. Barrel is locked to the slide by single large lug, which engages the ejection port. The Browning-type cam system is used to lock and unlock the barrel from the slide. Frame is made from aluminum alloy, slide is stamped from sheet steel, with separate steel breech block insert, fixed by the cross pin. Double action trigger system, with external hammer, has an automatic firing pin safety, and ambidextrous decocker levers, on both sides of the grip frame. The decocker levers also operate the slide stop, reducing the number of manual controls. Pistol is also equipped with loaded chamber indicator. Standard version of CZ-99 has no manual safeties, but there also is a version with manual safety, mounted on the slide. This version is designated as a CZ-99S. Compact variant of the basic pistol, with shortened barrel and slide, is designated as CZ-99 Compact. Standard sights are of fixed variety, with white dot inserts, and both sights are dovetailed into the slide.

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Crvena Zastava M70

 

Zastava M70 pistol, left side. Note manual safety above the grip panel.

Zastava M70 pistol, right side.

Type	Single Action semiautomatic
Caliber(s)	7,65x17 (.32ACP); also 9x17 (.380ACP) in M70(K).
Weight unloaded	720 g
Length	165 mm
Barrel length	94 mm
Magazine capacity	8 rounds

The M70 pistol was produced by Yugoslavian (now Serbian) arms factory Crvena Zastava as a sidearm for police and certain military officers. This pistol is based on the military type M57 pistol, but is scaled down to accept smaller and less powerful cartridges, such as 7,65mm Browning (also known as 7,65x17SR or .32ACP) or 9mm Browning Short (also known as 9x17 or .380ACP). For many years these pistols were used by Yugoslavian police and military. Today many of these pistols are sold worldwide as surplus. For their size and power, M70 pistols are somewhat heavy, but heavy weight also has benefits of light recoil and good durability.

M70 pistol is a simple blowback design. barrel remains stationary when gun is fired, but it can be easily removed during disassembly of pistol. Trigger is of single action type; hammer unit is made removable as one piece. manual safety is located on the left side of the frame, above grip panel. Sights are fixed.

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Crvena Zastava M57 pistol

M57 pistol

 

Type	Single Action semiautomatic
Caliber(s)	7,62x25 TT
Weight unloaded	900 g
Length	200 mm
Barrel length	116 mm
Magazine capacity	9 rounds

The M57 pistol, as manufactured by Yugoslavian Crvena Zastava (Red Banner) factory of former Yugoslavia (now Zastava Arms factory in Serbia), was a standard sidearm of Yugoslavian army. Adopted in 1957, it was a straightforward copy of the Soviet Tokarev TT pistol, although M57 had longer grip that hosted bigger magazine (9 rounds versus 8 rounds in TT). In around 1970 Crvena Zastava began production of the similar pistol, chambered for 9x19 Luger ammunition. This model is known as M70(d).

M57 pistol is short recoil operated, locked breech pistol that uses browning type action with swinging link. trigger is of single action type, but pistol has no manual safeties except for a half-cock notch on the hammer. Magazine is single stack. Sights are fixed.

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