At the IWA 2003 show in Nurnberg, Germany, SAR had a booth set up. As I walked through the show, looking for new and innovative products to bring to SAR’s readers, I was drawn to a very nice booth display, and found it was Zastava Arms from Yugoslavia. After some introductions and seeing some old friends, I was invited to come to Kragujevac, Serbia, to visit the factory facilities.
23 May 2003 – Kragujevac, Serbia: Tired from travel and overloaded with information from many museums and collections, SAR finally arrived at Zastava. Hundreds of digital pictures were burned with the help of the staff there, and much information was gathered. The General Director of Zastava Arms had graciously offered a full tour of the factory, and many people there helped with the gathering of models and history.
In the following pages devoted to Zastava Arms, we cover the past and current products. We decided to bring the entire Zastava military production to the readers of SAR as an Identification Guide, to put the models and features into the proper order. Yugoslav models of machine guns have long confused the West, and we are pleased to present this in depth analysis and ID guide.
Zastava Arms has reached their one hundred and fifty year anniversary as of October 2003, and that is quite an accomplishment, something they are proud of. SAR was invited back to attend the celebration, and we will bring that story to you later.
Yugoslav history and current events have dictated the direction of the factory and like most other industries, they must be able to adjust to new business climates. Zastava has traditionally had a balance of production that was 90% military arms and 10% civilian firearms. The new balance is 50-50. This is not the first time they have had to adjust; seventy to eighty years ago Zastava had a major change of directions, investing in new technology. This resulted in lowering costs and better quality product.
There has also been a change in focus on sporting arms, and they are looking forward to finally reopening the US market, among others. Zastava feels strongly they can stay competitive in sales of sporting rifles. There have been some problems- recently they had contracts for 28,000 hunting rifles and small quantities of the .50-caliber Black Arrow rifle, 12,000 CZ99 pistols and some of these contracts are in jeopardy and may be cancelled because U.S. distributors do not want to wait any longer for the duty to be removed. The 65% duty charge on exports to the United States has been a difficult obstacle to overcome. It is hoped that this punitive duty will be lifted soon.
To get a better picture of the effects of sanctions and economic policy, we were told what was previously a military secret. In 1969 Zastava had 2,300 employees, in the 1980s they had over 8,000. Today they have 3,590. That is a large cutback in force. Kragujevac is a community that relies on industrial production, and Zastava Arms is a main center of work here. Some help came from the government for people, and some went on their own into their own businesses. Before the recent NATO bombings, Zastava had some offers to convert to civilian manufacturing, with credits that had good interest rates. This was not available after the bombing; they lost 20,000 square meters of facilities. That was €60 million (About $65 million USD) in loss! The generally feeling is frustration, but they are thankful that in this part of the bombing there was no loss of life.
When we visited, Zastava was very busy. There were many projects going on, and we had a full tour of the facilities. There will be more information gathered from this trip in later issues of SAR. – Dan
Contact: Zastava Namenski Proizvodi D.P. Serbia, Kragujevac Trg topolivaca 4 Tel: ++ 381 34 336 077 Fax: ++ 381 34 323 683 Email: zastavanp@ptt.yu Website: www.zastava-arms.co.yu
Wall display at Zastava Arms showing their current military rifle offerings, with a few older models as well.Floor display showing their larger firearms up to 30mm cannon.The skill of Zastava’s craftsmen and gunsmiths is world-renowned. This carved stock is just one example of the fine wood and metal work seen at the factory.The Zastava-manufactured Mini-Uzi variant is called the “Komit”, the model is M97. Left side view.“Komit” M97 right side view.Master FLG left side view with stock unfolded.Master FLG field stripped.Master FLG “K” left side view.Master FLG “K” right side view.Master FLG right side view.Master FLG left side view.Model: M59/66A1 (SKS) Operating System: Gas, Simonov-style locked-breech w/ tilting bolt Caliber: 7.62x39mm O/A length: 1120mm (44.1 inches) Barrel length: 518mm (20.4 inches) Weight, empty: 4.0 kg (8.8 pounds) Rate of Fire: semiautomatic Maximum Effective Range: 400 meters Notes: This reliable old warhorse has a folding blade bayonet, a 10-round internal magazine, a spigot-type 22mm rifle grenade launching muzzle attachment. These are currently available in the United States as surplus rifles, and SAR Managing Editor Peter G. Kokalis covered these extensively in the February 2003 issue of Small Arms Review (Volume 6 Number 5).Model: M70B1 Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 7.62x39mm O/A length: 900mm (35.46 inches) Barrel length: 415mm (16.35 inches) Weight, no magazine: 4.2 kg (9.26 pounds) Rate of Fire: 620 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 400 meters Notes: The M70B1 has a side-folding buttstock, a feature that many consider superior in stability to the under-folding variations. When extended, this becomes a full-sized assault rifle, selective- fire: safe- semiautomatic or full- auto. This may have 40mm grenade launcher attached if desired.Model: M70AB2 Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 7.62x39mm O/A length: 900mm (35.46 inches) Barrel length: 415mm (16.35 inches) Weight, no magazine: 4.2 kg (9.26 pounds) Rate of Fire: 620 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 300 meters Notes: The M70AB2 has an under-folding stock that is preferred by certain shooters who dislike the extra depth that a side-folder gives to the rifle. It is certainly compact. When extended, this becomes a full sized assault rifle, selective-fire: safe, Semiautomatic, full-auto. This may have 40mm grenade launcher attached if desired. Editor’s Note: the Yugoslav designation Model M70(d) is a variant of the Tokarev pistol design in 9x19mm, not a Kalashnikov style rifle.
Model: M72B1 LMG, M72AB1, M72AB2 Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 7.62x39mm O/A length: 1025mm (40.39 inches) Barrel length: 542mm (21.35 inches) Weight, no magazine: 5.5 kg (12.13 pounds) Rate of Fire: 620 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 400 meters Notes: The M72B1 is a “Light Machine Gun” version of the system. It has an integral bipod, and can utilize either the 75-round drum or standard 30-round magazines. The M72AB1 has a removable bipod, and the M72AB2 has an under-folding stock and removable bipod.
Model: M76 Prototype Sniper Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 7.92x57mm (8mm Mauser) O/A length: 1135mm (44.72 inches) Barrel length: 550mm (21.67 inches) Weight, no magazine: 4.6 kg (10.14 pounds) Rate of Fire: Semiautomatic-only Maximum Effective Range: 1,000 meters Notes: This Kalashnikov variant (It is not a Dragunov action) uses detachable 10-round magazines, and has a skeletonized stock. The optics are a Zastava manufactured 3x9x40mm.Model: M76 Prototype Sniper Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 7.92x57mm (8mm Mauser) O/A length: 1135mm (44.72 inches) Barrel length: 550mm (21.67 inches) Weight, no magazine: 4.6 kg (10.14 pounds) Rate of Fire: Semiautomatic-only Maximum Effective Range: 1,000 meters Notes: This Kalashnikov variant (It is not a Dragunov action) uses 10-round detachable magazines, and has a solid wood fixed stock. The optics are a night vision system, model HV5x80 AT.Model: M76 Production Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 7.92x57mm (8mm Mauser) O/A length: 1135mm (44.72 inches) Barrel length: 550mm (21.67 inches) Weight, no magazine: no scope 4.6 kg (10.14 pounds) Rate of Fire: Semiautomatic-only Maximum Effective Range: 1,000 meters Notes: This final production variant is a Kalashnikov-style action, not a Dragunov. It has a fixed wood stock, the optics are a ZRAK on M76B mount.Model: M77B1 LMG Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) O/A length: 1,025mm (40.39 inches) Barrel length: 535mm (21.08 inches) Weight, no magazine: 5.1 kg (11.24 pounds) Rate of Fire: 600 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 800 meters Notes: This Light Machine Gun variant has an integral bipod and carrying handle. Moving to the 7.62x51mm NATO caliber greatly extends the range of this system. Magazines are available as 20- or 30-round types.Model: M77B1 M77AB1 (Not Shown) Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) O/A length: 990mm (39 inches) Barrel length: 500mm (19.7 inches) Weight, no magazine: 4.8 kg (10.58 pounds) Rate of Fire: 600 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 600 meters Notes: The M77B1 has a fixed wood stock, the M77AB1 has an underfolding metal stock. The Mitchell RPK47 that was imported to the US was a variation on the M77B1 in semiautomatic-only.Model: M80 (not shown) & M80A Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223) O/A length: 985mm / 725mm (38.81 / 28.57 inches) Barrel length: 460mm (18.12 inches) Weight, no magazine: 3.7 kg (8.16 pounds) Rate of Fire: 600 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 200 meters Notes: The M80 series includes the fixed stock version and the metal underfolding stock version, both use 30- round capacity magazines, and are superceded by the M90 and M90A series
Model: M82 LMG Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223) O/A length: 1,025mm (40.39 inches) Barrel length: not known Weight, no magazine: 4.5 kg (9.92 pounds) Rate of Fire: 600 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 600 meters Notes: M82 has a carrying handle and fixed bipod. Magazines are available in 30- or 45-round capacity. Safe, Semiautomatic, or Full-auto. This model is also offered with a black polymer stock.Model: M82A LMG Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223) O/A length: 1,025mm / 765mm (40.39 / 30.14 inches) Barrel length: not known Weight, no magazine: 4.5 kg (9.92 pounds) Rate of Fire: 600 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 600 meters Notes: M82A has a metal underfolding stock, and removable bipod. Magazines are available in 30 or 45 round capacities. Safe, Semiautomatic, or full-auto.Model: M85 under-folder Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223) O/A length: 760mm/ 540mm (29.94 / 21.28 inches) Barrel length: 254mm (10 inches) Weight, no magazine: 3.5 kg (7.72 pounds) Rate of Fire: 600 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 200 meters Notes: This “Krinkov” style has a metal underfolding stock.Model: M85 side-folder Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223) O/A length: 760mm/ 540mm (29.94 / 21.28 inches) Barrel length: 254mm (10 inches) Weight, no magazine: 3.5 kg (7.72 pounds) Rate of Fire: 600 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 200 meters Notes: This “Krinkov” variant uses a side folding stock, which folds onto the left side of receiver.Model: M85 fixed stock Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223) O/A length: 760mm (29.94 inches) Barrel length: 254mm (10 inches) Weight, no magazine: 3.5 kg (7.72 pounds) Rate of Fire: 600 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 200 meters Notes: Here the M85 “Krinkov” variant is offered with a fixed wood stock, or fixed polymer stock as shown.Model: M90 & M90A (Not shown) Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223) O/A length: 985mm (38.81 inches) Barrel length: 460mm (18.12 inches) Weight, no magazine: 4.0 kg (8.82 pounds) Rate of Fire: 600 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 300 meters Notes: The M90 is a modern M80, done in the NATO caliber as an offering to NATO-standard countries. Standard magazines are 30-round capacity. Fixed wood stock. The M90A has a metal underfolding stock, it is very similar to the M80A.Model: M91 Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 7.62x54R O/A length: 1,195mm (47.08 inches) Barrel length: 620mm (24.43 inches) Weight, no magazine, no scope: 5.15 kg (11.35 pounds) Rate of Fire: Semiautomatic-only Maximum Effective Range: 1,000 meters Notes: The M91 is a Kalashnikov-style action with a Dragunov-style skeletonized stock. It uses 10-round detachable magazines. The scope is a variable with bullet drop compensator, Yugoslav manufacture.M91-3 “Skorpion” with suppressor. There is no buttstock on this version but it is available on order. The earlier Yugoslav variation of the Czech Vz61 Skorpion is called the M84, and some of these were imported into the US as Post 86 Dealer Samples.Model: M92 Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 7.62x39mm O/A length: 800mm (31.52 inches) Barrel length: 254mm (10 inches) Weight, no magazine: 3.5 kg (7.72 pounds) Rate of Fire: 620 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 200 meters Notes: The M92 is called a “Submachine gun” in Yugoslavia, due to its size and reduced range. We would consider it a “Krinkov” variant from the popular nickname used for short barreled underfolding AK variations.
M93 is Zastava’s bolt action sniper rifle in 7.62x51mm NATO (.308Winchester), not pictured, and it is also the designation of the “Black Arrow” rifle. Model: M93 “Black Arrow” Operating System: Bolt-action Caliber: 12.7x107mm (Russian .50) 12.7x99mm (.50BMG) O/A length: DSHK caliber 1,670mm (65.8 inches) Browning caliber 1,510mm (59.49 inches) Barrel length: DSHK caliber 1,000mm (39.4 inches) Browning caliber 840mm (33.1 inches) Weight, no magazine: DSHK caliber 16 kg (35.27 pounds) Browning caliber 14.5 kg (31.97 pounds) Maximum Effective Range: 1,600 meters in either caliber Notes: Either caliber is fed with a detachable 5-round magazine. There are no iron sights, only 30mm optic rings, but Zastava generally supplies the Black Arrow with their own choice of optic in 8x magnification and increments out to 1,800 meters. There is a harmonica style muzzle break. Bipod legs are adjustable in height. The system comes in a hard case. (Dan’s note: the nomenclature of 12.7x109mm is the accepted caliber for the DSHK series of firearms. It is the “Russian Fifty”, or in old Nam terms, “The fifty-one”. However, in the old East Bloc, and in many other places, the caliber is referred to as 12.7x107mm. I used their nomenclature.)Model: M84 Machine Gun Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt (PKM) Caliber: 7.62x54R O/A length: 1,175mm (46.3 inches) Barrel length: 658mm w/ flash hider (25.93 inches) Weight, no magazine: no tripod 10 kg (22.05 pounds) Rate of Fire: 700-800 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 1,000 meters Notes: In this writer’s opinion, the PKM machine gun is probably the most reliable and functional machine gun in the world. The Zastava produced M84 variation is a high quality production piece, and with the lightweight tripod and the optical sight, this weapon is extremely versatile.Model: M86 Operating System: Gas w/ rotating bolt (PKM) Caliber: 7.62x54R O/A length: 1,100mm (43.34 inches) Barrel length: 793mm w/ flash hider (31.24 inches) Weight, no magazine: 10.5 kg (23.15 pounds) Rate of Fire: 700-800 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 1,000 meters Notes: The PKT is the tank or fixed platform version of the PKM, and the M86 is the tank or fixed platform version of the M84, utilizing a solenoid firing device for remote firingModel: M87 Operating System: Gas, w/ side camming breech block Caliber: 12.7x107mm (Russian .50, 12.7x109mm, “Fifty-One”) O/A length: 1,560mm (61.46 inches) Barrel length: 1,100mm (43.34 inches) Weight, no mount: 25 kg (55.12 pounds) Rate of Fire: 700 rpm + Maximum Effective Range: at air targets 1,500 meters, at ground targets, 2,000 meters Notes: The M87 is the Zastava manufactured variation of the modern Russian NSV heavy machine gun. It is fixed mount, and uses a very unusual side camming breech block. In SAR Volume 6 Number 11, August 2003, armorer/engineer John Henshaw from the MOD Pattern Room did an outstanding analysis of the design, with my assist on photography and “Gophering”. The Zastava offering of the M87 is true to form and of high quality, and you can use the Henshaw article for more information.
Model: BGA-30 Operating System: Caliber: 30x29mm (30x29B) Russian Medium Velocity Barrel length: 380mm (15 inches) Weight, no drum: 18kg (39.68 pounds) alone With tripod and drum: 31 kg (68.34 pounds) Rate of Fire: combat recommended 65-70 rpm, actual ROF is 350-375 rpm Maximum Effective Range: area targets 1,700 meters, light armored vehicles at up to 1,000 meters. Vertical field: -5º to +70º (Russian original reports up to +85º elevation) Horizontal field traverse: 30º Notes: The BGA-30 is the Zastava variant of the old Soviet AGS17. “BGA” stands for Bacach Granata Automat. The 30mm rounds are linked into a 29-round drum magazine that feeds from the right side only. Yugo slav military forces use the NSBG-1 sight system.
Model: CZ99 pistol Operating System: Caliber: 9x19mm O/A length: 198mm (7.8 inches) Height: 140mm (5.52 inches) Weight, with empty magazine: . 828 kg (1.83 pounds) Rate of Fire: semi auto only Maximum Effective Range: close combat Notes: The newest variation on the CZ99 has ambidextrous controls and a top mounted switch to go from single-action/double-action to double-action-only. There is a loaded chamber indicator, and another indicator showing when you only have three rounds left in the magazine.Zastava has not put a lot of design time in their suppressor production, although some examples have been observed on the battlefield. They are very clear about this, and do not consider their sound suppressors to be “state-of-the-art”. SAR will be returning to the factory to do live fire testing on these designs and a more in depth analysis of these suppressors. Suppressors made by Zastava Arms, Top to Bottom: 7,65mm for Skorpion AP 5.56mm M80 A 5.56mm M85 A 7.62mm M92 Not shown: suppressor for Master FLGModel: M55A3B1 three-barrel. Operating System: Hispano-Suiza-style open bolt Caliber: 20mm short Hispano-Suiza variant. Overall length in traveling position: 4,300mm (14 feet 1.5 inches) Weight, no drums: 1,150 kg (2,535 pounds) Rate of Fire: 700 rpm per barrel, times three barrels. Maximum Effective Range: horizontal 5,500 meters, maximum vertical range 4,000 meters up to 80º. Effi- cient range on aerial targets 1,200 meters. Horizontal field traverse: 360º Notes: These triple-barreled 20mm guns are used in many capacities including ground-to-ground fire. The guns are mounted so that the three 60-round drums stag- ger, and allow the barrels to come closer together. At 2,100 RPM effective rate of fire, this Hispano variant is one heck of a sight to see when firing. The operator may use manual or hydraulic controls to aim with, depending on the model. We have a live fire test set up on these guns later this year.Model: M21 Operating System: Gas, w/ rotating bolt Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223) Launcher: 40mm Russian Low Velocity Overall length: 998mm / 750mm (39.32 / 29.55 inches) Launcher: 323 mm (12.73 inches) Barrel length: 440mm (17.34 inches) Launcher: 120mm (4.73 inches) Weight, no magazine: no grenade launcher 3.85 kg (8.49 pounds) Launcher: 1.5 kg (3.31 pounds) Rate of Fire: 560-640 rpm Maximum Effective Range: 500 meters Launcher: 400 meters Muzzle velocity of grenades: 76 meters/second Notes: This rifle is selective fire; Safe, semiautomatic, full-auto, but a three-round burst mechanism is available on order.In 1990, the Yugoslav Army wanted a new 5.56x45mm NATO caliber rifle, and they were offered the M90. The M90 was not accepted for adoption at that point for financial reasons, and eventually for political reasons. At this point there were no orders, but Zastava continued with their R&D. In 1995 this new model was entered into many tenders – they were good rifles but still not accepted. In 2000-2003 the Army of Serbia and Montenegro, especially the infantry units, did testing and measurement for infantry use and suggested some upgrades and other needs. In the new “Soldier of the Future” vision for Yugoslavia, there were twenty-six points that were identified that should be upgraded for the infantry soldier. One point is the armament. It was decided that an assault rifle was needed, not a light machine gun or submachine gun. Zastava and the Yugoslav Army groups felt that the Kalashnikov system is unsurpassed in the world for general army use, and this platform was chosen. Other criteria for the new design were; the basic sight system should be optical with an auxiliary being open sights; the rifle should have day and night sights, and it needs grenade launcher capability. The newly designed M21 is compact, with a side folding stock, lightweight because polymers were used wherever possible, and a new polymer 35-round magazine that only weighs 950 grams was added.M21 right side view.M21 left side view.M21 left side view of controls and scope mount.M21 right side view with folded stock.The new lightweight polymer 35-round magazine for the M21.40mm grenade launcher right side view.
This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V7N3 (December 2003) and was posted online on September 27, 2013
