Zastava M91 Sniper Rifle 7.62x54R 24in POSP 4×24

About this product

What is the Zastava M91 Sniper Rifle? The Zastava M91 is a Kalashnikov-pattern, semi-automatic designated marksman rifle chambered in 7.62x54R built for sustained long-range fire under austere field conditions. It represents a significant evolution from the Yugoslavian M76, incorporating manufacturing improvements and NATO-compatible optics rails that were not present on earlier designs. This specific configuration pairs the rifle with a calibrated POSP 4×24 optic and includes two 10-round detachable magazines from the factory.

What is the Zastava M91 used for?

The Zastava M91 is engineered for the practical long-range discipline shooter or the prepper who demands mechanical reliability over glass-smooth bolt-action refinement. Its primary use is delivering consistent, semi-automatic fire on man-sized targets out to 600–800 meters, with the 24-inch barrel and 1:9" twist rate optimized to stabilize heavy, boat-tail 7.62x54R ammunition like the 174-grain M2 Ball. The chrome-lined, hammer-forged barrel withstands high-volume firing strings without the rapid degradation seen in some non-lined barrels, while the adjustable synthetic stock allows for a proper length of pull whether firing from a bench or in a winter coat. This is a rifle for the shooter who values hitting the target under adverse conditions more than achieving sub-MOA groups from a perfectly clean, climate-controlled bench rest.

How does the Zastava M91 compare to a Stevens 334?

The Zastava M91 serves a fundamentally different tactical role than a bolt-action rifle like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win. The M91 is superior for rapid, follow-up shots and sustained volume of fire in a field role due to its semi-automatic, gas-operated action, whereas the Stevens 334 will almost certainly deliver better inherent mechanical accuracy per round fired from a stabilized position. The Stevens 334 weighs approximately 6.5 lbs—nearly 5 pounds less than the M91's 11.4 lbs—making it far more suitable for hunting applications where weight and carry distance are primary concerns. The M91's 7.62x54R cartridge also offers superior barrier penetration and retained energy at range compared to the .308 Win from identical barrel lengths, but demands careful ammunition selection to match the rifle's performance window.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The Zastava M91 is a substantial piece of field equipment, with an unloaded weight of 11.4 pounds (5.17 kg) and an overall length of 47.05 inches (1195 mm). The 24-inch (610 mm) barrel is the primary contributor to both the length and forward weight bias, which aids in recoil management but makes off-hand shooting a workout. The receiver is built on a 1.5mm bulged trunnion—a feature not found on standard AK-pattern rifles—which dramatically increases the durability of the front locking lug area under sustained fire. For context, this rifle is over a foot longer and more than double the weight of many popular AR-10 platforms, so storage and transport in standard hard cases requires careful planning.

Who is this NOT for?

This rifle is not for the hunter seeking a lightweight, quick-handling woods gun, nor for the precision benchrest shooter chasing the smallest possible group size. At 11.4 pounds unloaded, adding the POSP scope, rings, and a loaded magazine puts total weight near 13 pounds, which is prohibitive for long stalks. The semi-automatic action, while reliable, introduces more variables into the firing cycle than a bolt action, inherently limiting ultimate precision potential. Furthermore, the 7.62x54R cartridge, while historically significant and potent, does not have the same breadth of modern, high-performance match-grade factory ammunition as .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor, potentially capping the rifle's accuracy with off-the-shelf ammo.

What's in the box?

You receive the complete, ready-to-fire rifle system: the Zastava M91 with its 24-inch barrel and adjustable synthetic stock, one factory-mounted and bore-sighted POSP 4×24 scope with its distinctive Soviet-style rangefinding reticle, two 10-round detachable steel magazines, a basic cleaning rod, and the manufacturer's manual and certification paperwork. Crucially, the muzzle is already threaded 14x1mm LH, allowing for direct attachment of muzzle devices or suppressors (with proper NFA compliance), saving you an immediate gunsmithing fee that can run $150 or more. Unlike many imported rifles, the optic is included and mounted, translating to a genuine out-of-the-box capability rather than an additional $400–$600 purchase and zeroing process.

Is the Zastava M91 worth it at $4,012.99?

At just over four thousand dollars, the Zastava M91 commands a premium that is justified only if its specific combination of rugged semi-automatic action, heavy-caliber chambering, and included optic aligns precisely with your use case. The value proposition hinges on the included, calibrated POSP scope—a competent, durable battlefield optic—and the rifle's overbuilt construction that predicts a service life measured in tens of thousands of rounds. For a shooter wanting a single, formidable, long-range DMR platform that requires minimal gunsmithing to be field-ready, the price is competitive with building a similar-capability AR-10. However, for a shooter whose needs are met by a Stevens 334 bolt action or a more common .308 semi-auto, the M91's cost and niche cartridge become significant liabilities.