zastava m70a mag release

308Loader · June 12, 2015, 08:10 PM

The mag release on my zastava m70a pistol seems to be quite finicky. When I press the mag release its a 50/50 if it will come out. Any thoughts?

Gun is new >100 rounds, relatively clean, runs good until reload.

Dixie Gunsmithing · June 12, 2015, 08:26 PM

I'd say that the catch is not clearing the notch in the magazine every time. It could be that the catch is not being mashed past the notch all the way, or the magazine itself, around the notch, is a little too close to the catch. First, I'd try a different magazine, and see what it does. If it still does it, some fitting of the release catch might be needed.

308Loader · June 16, 2015, 01:41 PM

So I'm up to the 200 round mark with this pistol and the mag release seems to have gotten better, just needed to be broken in a little. The new problem is the slide doesn't always lock open on empty. Could this be related to the original issue?

Dixie Gunsmithing · June 16, 2015, 05:27 PM

It is possible, or the slide lock spring may be a little weak, or the portion of the magazine that trips it could not be mating with it properly. It could just be a magazine problem all together.

June 12, 2015, 08:10 PM	#1
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	zastava m70a mag release The mag release on my zastava m70a pistol seems to be quite finicky. When I press the mag release its a 50/50 if it will come out. Any thoughts? Gun is new >100 rounds, relatively clean, runs good until reload.

June 12, 2015, 08:26 PM	#2
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	I'd say that the catch is not clearing the notch in the magazine every time. It could be that the catch is not being mashed past the notch all the way, or the magazine itself, around the notch, is a little too close to the catch. First, I'd try a different magazine, and see what it does. If it still does it, some fitting of the release catch might be needed.

June 16, 2015, 01:41 PM	#3
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	So I'm up to the 200 round mark with this pistol and the mag release seems to have gotten better, just needed to be broken in a little. The new problem is the slide doesn't always lock open on empty. Could this be related to the original issue?

June 16, 2015, 05:27 PM	#4
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	It is possible, or the slide lock spring may be a little weak, or the portion of the magazine that trips it could not be mating with it properly. It could just be a magazine problem all together.