Zastava M72

The Zastava M72 is a 7.62mm light machine gun developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms of Serbia, (part of the former Yugoslavia).^[1][2] The M72 is based on the RPK rifle from the USSR.

Overview

The Zastava M72 chambers and fires the 7.62x39mm M43 round. It is a gas-operated, air-cooled, drum-fed firearm with a fixed stock.

This weapon is a near copy of the Soviet RPK light machine gun. There are a few differences on the M72/M72A. It does not have a scope side rail mount, the butt is also different, having the shape of a regular AK-47 rifle. It has a reinforced receiver, night sights and no carrying handle. The barrel also differs from other RPK rifles because of the cooling fins to help with heat dissipation from prolonged fire. The M72 only appears with a heavy profile barrel as opposed to Russian and Romanian RPK rifles that can come in both light or heavy barrel configurations.

Variants

In serial production, Zastava Arms produces two variants of the weapon – the M72 and M72A. Many variants have been made in Iraq under the name of 'Tabuk', which are direct copies of the M70A and the M72 AK47s. Century Arms International assembles semi-automatic (self-loading) only, rifles for American collectors and sportsmen, using American-made receivers, surplus M72 parts kits and several small US made parts to comply with import restrictions.

Design details

The Zastava M72/M72A is a gas-operated, air-cooled, drum-fed, selective fire, shoulder-fired weapon with a bipod. It is a squad automatic weapon, like the Soviet RPK but has unique design features.

References

1. ^ http://www.zastava-arms.co.rs/cms/index.php?id=322 History of Zastava Arms
2. ^ Zastava M72B1

External links

• Zastava M72B1