There’s something undeniably captivating about older firearms. These vintage pieces of craftsmanship evoke a sense of admiration, connecting us to a bygone era of gun design and manufacturing. Compared to modern firearms, many classic-style handguns are no longer considered practical today. Because of this, they often take a backseat, leaving the newest wonder in the gun world to take the spotlight.

However, classic guns’ primary appeal lies in their historical significance and unique aesthetics, not their practicality.

Classic guns should not even be compared to more modern options, but it’s hard not to. Modern firearms are tailored for competition, self-defense, and tactical applications, while older guns are utilitarian tools. Owning an older gun can be purely about enjoying its history and shooting it from time to time.

One such firearm that embodies this sentiment is the Zastava M88A—a compact, Soviet TT-style pistol chambered in 9mm. It’s not as popular as the 1911, Luger P08, Walther PPK, or other classic guns, but it’s a classic that’s fun to own.

What is the Zastava M88A?

The Zastava M88A has a rich lineage that traces back to the Soviet TT-30 pistol. Of course, this design has left a lasting imprint on the world of firearms. The original TT-30 pistol, also known as the Tokarev, was developed in the late 1920s by Fedor Tokarev. It was adopted by the Soviet military in the early 1930s and inevitably found its way into WWII. By then, improvements had already been made and branded as the improved TT-33.

It was chambered in the powerful 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridge and became a popular sidearm for Soviet forces during World War II and beyond. It’s not surprising that Tokarev’s design was inspired by an American handgun. This, of course, would be John Browning’s famous 1911.

The Zastava M88A is a descendant of this iconic design, with roots firmly planted in the heritage of the TT pistol. It is essentially a compact version of the Zastava M70A, which is a 9mm adaptation of the M57. While Zastava copied the TT-33 design, they did make a few modifications, which included a longer magazine that holds nine rounds instead of eight.

Other features of The M57, like the 7.62x25mm cartridge, remained the same. The M70A transitioned to the more widely used 9mm Parabellum (9mm Luger), making it more appealing to a global market. The M88A took things a step further, offering a more compact and easily concealable package.

A Close Look at the Zastava M88A

The Zastava M88A is a compact, semi-automatic pistol designed to be simple and reliable in its day. As I mentioned earlier, it was copied from the classic TT-33 pistol but with updates that make it just a little more suitable for contemporary use.

Zastava M88A specs:

• Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
• Capacity: 8-round magazine
• Overall Length: 7.01 inches (178 mm)
• Barrel Length: 3.66 inches (93 mm)
• Height: 4.8 inches (122 mm)
• Width: 1.26 inches (32 mm)
• Weight: 26.1 ounces (740 grams)
• Frame Material: Steel
• Finish: Blued
• Safety: Manual safety lever

The M88A is often sold with a set of plastic black or wood grips. When I found a surplus sale, I opted to pay a little more for one with wood grips. It’s worn in multiple areas, and some rust is starting to form on the frame inside the mag well. But overall, it’s in great shape for an older model. Zastava still produces several variants of the TT pistol, but I wanted an older model.

Despite its smaller dimensions, it maintains a solid and substantial feel in the hand, a characteristic inherited from its robust steel frame. The worn blued finish and wood grips give it a classic appearance, adding to its vintage charm.

Manual safety is not the best design.

It’s easy to see Browning’s DNA in the M88A, with its grip angle and overall feel. However, I don’t like the safety on the M88A because it’s too high to disengage without changing my grip. It sits high on the slide, making it a little awkward to reach. This is one reason I probably wouldn’t carry this gun for self-defense.

When you engage the safety, it disengages the trigger and blocks the hammer from reaching the firing pin. It also has a magazine disconnect safety, which I don’t like. I’ve never been a fan of magazine disconnect safeties.

The single-stack magazine holds eight rounds of 9mm ammunition, which, again, is a little outdated compared to modern guns of the same size. The sights are basic but functional, with the front and rear using a drift-adjustable sight.

The M88A’s trigger pull is reminiscent of the 1911 pistol, pulling straight back rather than pivoting. This design contributes to a smoother and more consistent trigger pull, enhancing accuracy and control. While the trigger has a slight bit of mush halfway through the pull, the break is light and crisp, a feature that many shooters will appreciate despite the gun’s age and wear.

Mags and Holsters

Finding extra magazines for older or less common firearms can sometimes be a challenge. But fortunately, the Zastava M88A will fit many leather holsters made for other models. For those looking to stock up on extra mags, GunMag Warehouse carries extra mags for the M88A. Even if I’m not using a gun for self-defense, I like having a few extra mags for it. Don’t ask me why; I just like it.

When it comes to holsters, the 1791 Gunleather 4-Way IWB holster is one of my favorites for the M88A. This holster is designed for both inside-the-waistband (IWB) and outside-the-waistband (OWB) carry. This provides multiple configurations to suit your carry style.

The 1791 Gunleather holster is made from high-quality leather, which is the perfect style for the M88A. Its versatility in carry options means you can wear it in various positions, whether you prefer appendix carry, strong-side, cross-draw, or behind-the-hip placement.

I haven’t spent much time on holsters yet, but I will eventually check a wider variety of compatible holsters.

On the Range with the Zastava M88A

Taking the Zastava M88A to the range is an experience you can’t find with a modern handgun. However, when it comes to shooting it, it surprisingly feels more modern than you would expect. On the range, the M88A performs admirably and is surprisingly effective.

Again, I will compare it to the 1911 pistol, thanks to its straight-pull trigger design. It’s an all-steel frame, so, of course, it doesn’t have much recoil. Once you get to shooting, you almost forget you’re not shooting a 1911 chambered in 9mm.

Because of its age and condition, I was expecting a few issues, but it held up great. I had a little trouble with it cycling a few brands of hollow-point ammo but found Speer Gold-Dot 124gr personal protection worked fine. I will also point out that I hit the range without cleaning the M88A.

Normally, I would break down a new gun and oil it before heading to the range, but that didn’t work out this time. I was also interested in seeing how it fired in its used, dirty, and worn-out condition. Except for a few issues with HP ammo, it cycled great.

I can’t say I’m a fan of the sights, but they do the job. I had some trouble seeing the front post, so I’ll be adding some fingernail polish to it later. This is probably because I’m used to using modern sights that are bright and super easy to see.

While the M88A may not be the most modern or feature-packed pistol, its performance on the range proves that older designs can still hold their own. The blend of simplicity, reliability, and historical significance makes shooting the M88A a unique and rewarding experience.

Is there a reason to own a Zastava M88A?

The Zastava M88A may not be the first choice for those seeking a cutting-edge defensive or competition firearm, but it offers something equally valuable: a connection to history and the simple joy of shooting a classic design. For those who appreciate the legacy of the TT pistol, it’s a cool gun to own.

While the manual safety and older design are not the best for everyday carry, the M88 is still practical enough for personal defense if someone really wants to use it in that role. Compared to modern firearms, the weight, ammo capacity, safety features, and sights make it a little outdated.

However, for most owners, the Zastava M88A will serve as a cherished piece of history—a gun that’s fun to shoot and a reminder of a different era in firearm design. It’s a perfect example of why not all guns need to be practical or cutting-edge. Sometimes, it’s enough to own and shoot a gun simply because you like it. And in that regard, the M88A truly shines.