Check them out at Atlantic: https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/zastava-pap-m92-pv-pistol
Buy one on GunsAmerica: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=pap%20m92
The Century Arms PAP M92 is a pistol that’s been on the market for a few years now. Developed as an import version of the Serbian Zastava M92, the gun is capable. Like the AK74u or Krinkov, the PAP M92 keeps to the small form factor. These guns are arguably more effective and much more cost effective than their Russian cousins.
Out of the box, the gun is missing a few key components that hold it back from being a true battle implement. But with a few quick additions this budget blaster becomes very capable of holding its own when stacked up to other AK platform weapons.
[one_half]
Specifications
- 7.62x39mm caliber
- Stamped receiver
- Hinged top cover
- Weighs 5.69 lbs.
- 19″ OAL
- 10″ Barrel
- Ships with two 30 round magazines
- MSRP $439.00
[/one_half][one_half_last]
AK simplicity, unfailing reliability. What more can you ask for?
[/one_half_last]
Shooting the PAP
Shooting the M92 in its stock configuration is a bit of a challenge. The gun is large, heavy, and a bit unbalanced. It is possible to shoot the gun well and make consistent accurate hits but it requires practice. While this is true of every gun, to an extent, it is much more apparent with the guns that are essentially short-barreled rifles without stocks.
Any time you stretch a weapon into a different ATF classification, things get a bit dicey. Pistols are intended to be shot with only two points of contact (your two hands), rifles typically have three (adding in your shoulder). Shooting a pistol that is more like a rifle than a pistol means a stretch in ergonomics. Magazine releases are just out of reach, stiff safeties may be hard to maneuver, iron sights are hard to use, and keeping the firearm on target is even harder. The reason? The shoulder stabilizes everything against your core. When you move, the gun moves. Because the PAP M92 is classified as a pistol (and has no stock) it has all of these issues in its stock configuration.
[one_half]
One handed works, but how long can you hold up a gun this heavy?
[/one_half][one_half_last]
This way works better, but still has practical limitations.
[/one_half_last]
Consider how you would hold a pistol like this. You can one-hand it, but that requires serious arm strength. And recoil will be harder to manage. You can do the air-guitar version of big pistol shooting and pretend there is an invisible stock. Doesn’t make it any easier, really. The best option is to attach a sling, and push out against the tension of the nylon for extra stability.
An arm brace, like the Shockwave, allows for a cheek-weld. Just keep the ATF happy by keeping it off your shoulder.
Adding a few accessories to the gun drastically improves its effectiveness and more or less makes it shoot like a full size Kalashnikov. With an arm brace the gun becomes a much more usable platform. Recoil is balanced and the gun stays steady on target. The controls become more accessible and you are able to loosely handle the pistol grip instead of having to use a death grip. All in all, even with keeping the arm brace far from your shoulder (thus making the ATF happy) the gun lives up to its potential.
Once you get a handle on it, the gun holds true to its Kalashnikov roots. Reliability is a given. The PAP M92 eats all types of 7.62×39. Out of the 1200 rounds fired during the testing period, I had no malfunctions. Shooting Wolf, Tula, Red Army–it all went down the pipe without question. If this were a pissant concealed carry pistol, that might be an accomplishment. But it is an AK. If it had choked on a single round, I’d have likely sent it back.
Beyond reliability the gun shoots like most any other AK pattern weapon. The magazines easily rock into the receiver. The safety moves fluidly while and still locks into position. The trigger breaks surprisingly clean and light (measuring between 5-6 lbs). The sights are crude, but the Front sight does have a flip up quick acquisition post that is amazingly effective at short to medium engagement distances. The gun just seems to be a winner, notably at a budget price.
These shots were made with the red dot and the arm brace. Not bad for an AK pistol, but surgical accuracy is hardly the point.
Accuracy
Shooting groups with the PAP M92 isn’t something to be taken lightly. The gun isn’t deigned for sniper precision. I was able to produce decent groups at realistic engagement distances. But the short-barreled AK just isn’t designed for this kind of work. On average I was able to shoot a 3” five shot group standing from 10 meters and a 4” group from 20 meters. Combat effective? Hell yeah. Is it a scalpel? No. After adding a red dot to the gun and a Shockwave Blade I was able to produce these groups consistently thanks to the third point of contact: check weld.
On steel, where a 1″ group is as good as a 4″ group, the gun is a rock star. Shots are easy to place and the gun swings form target to target with ease. In all honesty, this is the type of shooting the gun is designed for.
Out of the box, the Century PAP is a kick-ass gun, but there’s room for customization if you want.
Accessories
Yes the PAP is fine out of the box but why stop there? I’ve already alluded to the idea that the gun itself is a platform on which to build. Here are some of the upgrades I’ve been working with.
Working from the back forward I attached a Shockwave blade to the rear. Utilizing a Storm Werkz side-folding stock adapter you can run an arm brace while not adding an extra 8-10” to the rear of the gun. When in storage or transit, the Brace can be folded to side and out of the way.
Exchanging the stock pistol grip for a Magpul AK MOE allows for a more comfortable and controlled grip. The grip fills your hand and supplies enough traction that you don’t have to worry about losing your hold on the gun, even when actuating the safety or inserting magazines.
Replacing the stock gas tube of the PAP with an Ultimak railed tube gives you plenty of co-witnessing rail space to mount optics, lights, or anything else you may want to throw on the front of the gun. I chose to use a Primary Arms Micro Dot and a Surefire G2. But you could easily mount an Aimpoint, EOTech, or Meprolight red dot on the rail.
[one_half]
The stock configuration without a brake.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
a break helps manage recoil. This one is from CNC Warrior.
[/one_half_last]
Last but not least, I cut off the welded thread protector and installed a CNC Warrior Detent and muzzle device. Working with both the Krink 4 piece brake, and the Night brake, the gun looses a lot of its obnoxious muzzle flash and whip. The perk of using the 4 piece brake over the night break is it adds back-pressure to the equation. In a gun this sized, back-pressure means increased reliability so if you can only have one, the 4 piece is the way to go.
CNC Warrior: https://www.cncwarrior.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=m92&Submit=
- Night brake -$ 39.99
- 4 piece – $89.99
- Detent kit – $8.99
Stormwerkz: https://stormwerkz.com/stock-folding-mechanisms/stock-folding-mechanism-ar-type/
- Side folding adapter – $75.00
KAK Ind.: https://www.kakindustry.com/shockwave/shockwave-package-black
- Blade kit – $95.00
Ultimak: https://ultimak.com/M15.htm
- Gas tube – $104.00
Primary Arms: https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Advanced_Micro_Dot_with_Push_Buttons_p/md-ads.htm
- Micro Dot – $169.00
SureFire: https://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/g2x-tactical.html
- G2x – $60.00
[full_width]
After an overhaul, the original PAP is a much more versatile tool.
[/full_width]
In the End
The PAP M92 is a low cost, high value firearm that is readily available and easily customized. It retails for less than $500 and can normally be had for much less on the second hand market. In its out-of-box configuration there is no doubt it is a behemoth. But its still more than capable of being handled and shot well. The M92 is worth a second look and maybe even more if you’re interested in working with the platform to take what is already excellent and making it perfect.
On Sale at Atlantic for $439: https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/zastava-pap-m92-pv-pistol
[one_half]
The Ultimak railed tube allows for red dots that can co-witness with the sights.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The compact package is perfect for rapid deployment in close quarters.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
The PAP works well out of the box, and modifications can be made along the way without taking the gun out of service for long.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The safety has a thumb ledge. Always helpful.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
Accuracy isn’t impossible without a stock, but split times will be much slower.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The recoil will shake loose your sight picture, but it works.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
Give it the old reach around to get things going.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
Not the most efficient way to run the gun.
[/one_half_last]
What sling are you using?
People keep forgetting that this item is a pistol not a rifle. But by using the rifle complete receiver the weight of the AK pistols is much more than it should be. Adding a brace of your choice is a must to control these flame throwing monsters. And oh, beware of the concussion which can be sent down range using a KAK can or knock off which are must have items.
How did you attach the stormwerks folding mechanism?
Where did the rear site come from? Is it part of a kit with the ultimak rail or is that some weird thing about m92 pistols?
M92 is this way on purpose, friend ^-^ The sight radius is really nice on such a small gun.
The dude doing this is a jackass. Try holding the damn weapon still instead of “swirling” it around…you made me nauseous. Btw those are 30 round mags….why in the hell did you only load em with a few rounds? Stupid. Learn how to do a damn video. You make me sick.
Add a folding stock item on this pistol may get you into SBR classification ?
It’s odd how many retailers sell these M92 for more than the MSRP of $439, outrageous !
Awesome article! I purchased one of these last week — you mentioned cutting off the welded thread protector: can you be a bit more specific about tools/techniques? thanks,
ive have mine m92 and also a m85 223 and put boo coo rds. threw both of them and never had a hiccup at all right out of the box i have both century arms arm brace which came with them . wonderful weapon for the price you just can’t beat the price for a weapon that does excellent on the range or outdoors. and never hiccup at all jock. especially if you have short arms like i do the arm brace is a must have jock.
What tool did you use to cut the original front end weld off? Hack saw or ???
Use a dremal and take your time if you care for a nice clean look. Cut through weld to remove thread protector first, then slowly grind down the remaining weld to a flush surface with sanding wheel. It is a lot easier then you would think. Clean area and use touch up blueing to make it look like it was never welded.
Is the 5.56 version (aka the version that accepts M16 mags) is as reliable as this 7.62 version?
I ask because I have plenty of 5.56 ammo and magazines but no 7.62 ammo or 7.72 magazines.
I’ve shot a similar 5.56mm pistol, based on the AR platform. It had a 7.5″ barrel, and shot well, although the owner said some issues of reliable feeding were evident in the past. I’ve ordered an AR pistol (Radical Firearms) with a 10.5″ barrel, as I fell in love with the platform.
To add to prior comment,in my opinion the magazine to use for semi auto aks is the 20 round mag made by Hungary for the amd65
It allows you to get lower and reduces the weight of your rifle while still giving you plenty of rounds,most of my Ak mags are these.
For some time I’ve been jonesing for one of these. I’d have a form1 package ready to go for integral suppressor of 6″ the second I knew my serial number.while I waited I’d use it tensioned by sling and replace the pg with a hogue Ak grip the foreend would get a amd65 piece with no grip.when the stamp came back and the suppressor housing was welded on I’d have a 16″barrel.then we add a amd65 stock and a pic rail forward for a stubby k grip.good to go pocket rifle that is hearing safe! Who could ask for more?
In all that money spent, how about a grip that sucks less? I’ve got 2 M85s. I can’t see spending this kind of money on them. But the grips are an absolute must…
Hogue Ak grip