Country of origin |
Serbia |
Entered service |
2004 (?) |
Caliber |
5.56x45 mm |
Weight (empty) |
3.8 kg |
Length |
1 000 mm |
Length (with folded stock) |
750
mm |
Barrel length |
460
mm |
Muzzle velocity |
890
m/s |
Cyclic rate of fire |
560 - 680 rpm |
Practical rate of fire |
40 - 100 rpm |
Magazine capacity |
30 rounds |
Sighting range |
500 m |
Range of effective fire |
450 m |
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The Zastava
M21 assault rifle was developed and is manufactured by the Serbian
Zastava Arms company. This weapon is produced since 2004. It is
based on the
Kalashnikov AK-74 design,
but has a number of improvements. The Zastava M21 is currently in
service with Serbia, and replaces the previous
M70, M72 and
M92
7.62 mm assault rifles, that are license-produced versions of the
AK-47 and its
derivatives. Other
operators of the M21 are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Jordan,
Macedonia and Peru.
This assault
rifle is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. It is a gas-operated, magazine
fed, selective fire weapon. The M21 has fire mode selectors on
either side of the receiver. Both of them have "safe", "semi-auto" and "full-auto"
settings. The Kalashnikov-type fire mode selector is located on the
right side, while another is located on the left side and is
operated by the thumb. Such selector design was influenced by
Galil assault rifle, produced in Israel.
The Zastava
M21 has a folding stock, which folds to the right side. When folded
it do not obstructs the fire mode selector and trigger. Both polymer and
metal stocks are available.
This weapon
is fed from 30-round capacity magazines.
The Zastava
M21 has conventional iron sights, with two settings for 300 and 500 meters. A
special attachment with Picatinny-type rail for optical scopes and
night sights can be fitted.
Assault
rifle is compatible with BGP 40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher.
Alternatively it can be fitted with a knife-bayonet.
Variants
M21S compact assault rifle
with shorter barrel.
M21A
sub-compact assault rife with even shorter barrel. It was designed
to replace the
M92
compact assault rifle, chambered for Soviet 7.62x39 mm ammunition.
M21B is an
export version, fitted with Picatinny-type rail as standard. It also
has a more advanced stock, built-in carrying handle and accessory rails.
M21BS is a
compact version of the M21B.
M05 is an
updated version of the M21, aimed mainly at export customers. This
weapon is available chambered for Soviet 7.62x39 mm and standard
NATO 7.62x51 mm ammunition. This assault rifle has got a full-length
Picatinny-type scope rail, as well as additional accessory rails on
the foregrip.
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Article by
PREDRAG MRDJEN
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