Pre-Ban Zastava M-90 7.62x39 Side-Folding Rifle by Mitchell Arms – Yugoslav Bulged-Trunnion AK Variant
Imported and rebuilt by Mitchell Arms before the 1994 federal ban, this Zastava M-90 stands out as a rare Yugoslav AK variant in 7.62×39 mm with a factory right-side-folding steel stock. The rifle features the sought-after 1.5 mm bulged-trunnion stamped receiver, hardwood furniture, and a distinctive gas block with flip-up grenade sight and three-position gas regulator. Collectors value the electropenciled “M-90” marking and the clearly struck Mitchell Arms Santa Ana import stamp that verify its limited U.S. import run.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Excellent – Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Rifling Condition: Excellent – Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Light handling marks are present on the metal and wood surfaces. The original factory model mark was updated to “M-90” by Mitchell Arms during import.
What’s Included
- 1× 30-round steel AK-pattern magazine (inserted)
- Canvas sling (sealed)
- Pull-through cleaning cord (sealed)
- Oil bottle (sealed)
This M-90 preserves the hallmark features of Yugoslav military rifles while offering the convenience of the 7.62×39 cartridge. The heavy 1.5 mm receiver and bulged trunnion add strength uncommon in standard AKM-style rifles.
The gas block integrates a flip-up grenade sight and a three-position regulator, letting the shooter tune the piston system for standard fire, suppressed fire, or the original rifle-grenade setting. These Yugoslav-specific details reinforce the rifle’s collectibility.
Mitchell Arms performed the import and rebuild, electropenciling the model designation and affixing the “MITCHELL ARMS, INC. SANTA ANA, CAL. U.S.A.” stamp. Their limited pre-ban import makes this example notably scarce on today’s market.
The factory right-side-folding steel stock locks solidly in both positions, giving the shooter compact transport without sacrificing shooting stability. Hardwood handguards and a matching pistol grip retain the classic Yugoslav look and feel.
With its clean, bright bore and sharp rifling, this rifle is ready for the range while remaining a strong candidate for any pre-ban or foreign-AK collection.