Last Zastava, a Serbian look at the Kalashnikov assault rifle
The Serbian company “Zastava oružje” presented in 2004 a new modernization of the automatic machine “Zastava M64” - “Zastava M21”.
The Zastava M21 is an assault rifle based on a Kalashnikov assault rifle under the NATO 5.56-mm caliber. This rifle is designed to completely replace the M92 / М72 / М70 automatic rifles of 7.62 mm caliber, which are in service with the armed forces of Serbia.
History.
History of creation weapons Under the brand name “Zastava”, it starts in 60, when the Soviet Union gave the Warsaw Pact countries good to produce Kalashnikov assault rifles under official licenses.
The following upgrades were released:
- Yugoslav automatic machine Zastava M64, which was a full-fledged copy of AK-74;
- Zastava M64 A and Zastava M64 B, both were not adopted by the Yugoslav forces;
- Zastava M70 adopted in two forms - M70 AB2 and M70 B1.
- Zastava M76 - based on AK-74, sniper rifle, uses 7.92 mm, 7.62x51x54 mm cartridges;
- Zastava M77 AB1 and M77 B1 - export models of Zastava M70, used cartridges 7.62xXNNUMX mm and direct 51-capacious stores;
- Zastava M80 A and M80 - export models M70 B1 with cartridge 5.56х45 mm, already created by the Serbian company “Zastava oružje”. There is a modification of this model chambered for 7.62x51 mm;
- Zastava M85 - compact export version of the M80;
- Zastava M90 A and M90 - export version of the Zastava M80 A and M80, distinguished by an improved flame arrester and build quality;
- Zastava M92 - a compact model based on the Zastava M70, used cartridge 7.62х39 mm, as in the domestic AKMSU;
- Zastava M21 is the latest upgrade made by Zastava oružje.
The assault rifle remained an automatic weapon, completely repeating the design of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. Modernization touched mainly automatic gauge. This is due to the fact that Serbia sought to become a full member of the North Atlantic bloc and began to create weapons under the NATO cartridge "SS109".
In addition, the developers of “Zastava M21” made it possible to install additional equipment of a NATO model, for which they installed the “North-Atlantic” Picatinny guide on the receiver.
The designers provided a duplicate firing mode switch located on the left side of the rifle. This feature is copied from the Israeli “Galil”, which allows you to control the shooting mode without changing the position of the hands. In the dark, the letters denoting firing modes are highlighted, as they were created using tritium.
Polymer butt significantly reduces the mass of the rifle and allows firing in the folded state. The barrel of the assault rifle is equipped with a proprietary flame arrester and grip for a bayonet, and the barrel also has a chrome plating.
It is possible to install a grenade launcher grenade launcher caliber 40 mm, with it included is a branded nazatylnik.
Zastava M21 modifications:
- basic assault rifle with a barrel length 46 cm;
- shortened rifle "Zastava M21S" with a barrel length 37.5 cm;
- export model "Zastava M21SB", which has a folding butt and a handle for carrying. Equipped with rifle straps for attaching additional accessories;
- Zastava M21C compact model, special modification for special forces. Has a barrel length 32.5 cm.
Key Features:
- SS109 ammunition;
- rifle length 998 mm;
- standard stem 46 cm;
- weight 3.85 kilogram;
- rate of fire rifle 680-560 rds / min;
- effective range of 600 meters;
- ammunition - shop on 30 cartridges.
Additional Information.
The rifle Zastava M21 is used in the armed forces of Serbia and Macedonia, and is also in service with Serbian peacekeepers.
Information