Zastava M21

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Zastava M21
Zastava M21
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

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]

1 Overview
2 History and Varients
3 Production and Usage
4 Design and Features
- 4.1 Features
- 4.2 Accessories
5 External links

[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)