The M85 is practically same as the carbine version of the M70, the Zastava M92, the only difference being in caliber, and in this case, the magazine design, as same as with original rifles, the M70 and M80.

[1] Like its original variant, the M80, the M85 was intended to be a new weapon in the arsenal of the Yugoslav People's Army, but the breakup of Yugoslavia disrupted production.

[1] The Zastava M85 is an AK-pattern rifle incorporating design elements of the Soviet AKS-74U carbine, but chambered for the Western 5.56×45mm round.

It is gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, and offers selective fire capability.

It can be distinguished from traditional members of the AK family by its unique polymer pistol grip, 5.56x45mm magazine, and most significantly by its distinctive "Yugo" handguard, which is longer, and has three cooling vents instead of the usual two.