Zastava M21
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| Zastava M21 | |
|---|---|
 Zastava M21 |
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| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Serbia |
| Service history | |
| Wars | Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Zastava Arms ("Zastava oružje") |
| Manufacturer | Zastava Arms |
| Number built | N/A |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.85 kg |
| Length | 925 mm |
| Barrel length | 375 mm |
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| Cartridge | 5.56 mm |
| Action | Gas-actuated (rotating bolt) |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic, fully-automatic |
| Muzzle velocity | 914 m/s |
| Effective range | 500 m |
| Feed system | 30 rounds |
| Sights | Adjustable iron sights, optional mount required for optical sights |
The M-21 is a modern assault rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms of Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia. The M21 is designed on the basis of famous Kalashnikov rifles from Russia. [1]
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The Zastava M21 rifle chambers and fires the 5.56 x 45 mm or .223 NATO round. It is gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, selective fire firearm with a folding stock.
[edit] History and Varients
In serial production, Zastava Arms produces two varients of the rifle - long and short barrel. The shorter varient carries the "S" designation and is intended for use by special military and police units for urban combat and anti-terrorist operations. [2]
[edit] Production and Usage
On the 29th of April 2004 the M21 was officially accepted by the Military of Serbia and Montenegro as the successor to its 7.62mm firing Zastava M70/M72/M92 assault rifles.
In 2004, the then Ministry of Defence of Serbia and Montenegro, ordered 500 Zastava M21 assault rifles. Serial production of the new rifle began on 1 September 2004 and 5,000 pieces of the rifle were produced in 2004 with the M21 designation.
In 2005, a number of M21 rifles, costing 150,000 Euros, was received by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, who was the first foreign customer of the M21. [3]
In 2006 and 2007, Zastava M21 assault rifles were spotted in the hands of Iraqi Forces and private military contractors during the Iraq War. [4]
[edit] Design and Features
The Zastava M21 is a gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, selective fire, shoulder-fired weapon with a folding stock. The M21 provides the individual soldier operating in close quarters the capability to engage targets at extended range with accurate, lethal fire.
[edit] Features
- Ergonomically designed, with perfect balance
- Low recoil
- Light weight and compact
- Highly efficient and reliable locking system proven and safe type of trigger mechanism possibility for night aiming (tritium tubes)
- Polymer stock with possibility of quick change of position
- Magazine made of high-quality polymer made of best possible raw materials
- Hammer forged barrel with chromium plated interior ensuring high accuracy
- The rifle has a built-in “Picatinny” rail, enabling assembly of all optical devices corresponding to NATO standard.
- Quick and simple knife assembly.
- Quick and simple assembly of 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher. Stock assembled rubber buffer, which is a part of the accessories, enables more comfortable shooting with the launcher.
- The flash hider extremely decreases unmasking effects for the shooter.
[edit] Accessories
- Knife with scabbard
- Blank Firing Attachment
- Cleaning kit
- Oil can
- Cleaning rod
- Sling
- 4 spare 30rds magazines
- 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher set (Rubber buffer, cleaning brush, ammunition bag, holster)
[edit] External links
- Official website of the manufacturer Zastava Arms
- Serbian use of R4 – Information on Serbian use of South African R4 assault rifle (Galil copy).
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