M21 zastava

Zastava M21 C

Place of Origin

Serbia

Assault Rifle M21A, in NATO calibre 5.56 x 45 mm, was designed on the basis of Kalashnikov system.

Assault rifle M21S was developed from M21A, with shorter barrel, which created a more compact weapon, suited to the conditions of contemporary combat actions.

It is a gas operated rifle, and locking system is rotating bolt.

Reliability of its functioning in various climates and terrains was confirmed by strict testing methods, in accordance with military standards. Due to this, the rifle was included in the armament of the Serbian Military.

The barrel is cold forged with chrome plated interior. This provides durability and exquisite precision of the asault rifle.
Good solutions for ergonomy and excellently balanced weight provide mild recoil and easy control of fire.
Flash hider covers the position of the shooter.
Applied materials, handguards and folding stock made of polymer, and finish on the metal parts provide simple maintenance.
Type of fire is selected by an ambidextous lever, which has three positions: single shot, burst, safety on.
Iron sights with tritium tubes enable aiming at night.

Underbarrel grenade launcher cal. 40 mm, model BGP 40mm, can be mounted on the rifle. 

The set includes:

• Assault rifle M21 A/S

• 4 spare magazines

• Sling

• Accessories

• Handling and maintenance manuals 

At customet’s request, the set can optionally include the following:

• Underbarrel grenade launcher, cal. 40 mm BGP 40 mm 
• Mount with Picatinny rail, in accordance with NATO standard, which enables the assembly of optical and electronic devices

• Polymer magazine

The Zastava M21 is a series of 5.56mmfirearms developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms.^[2]

Overview[]

The M21 is based on the AK-47 Kalashnikov principle, chambered in the 5.56×45mm cartridge.^[3] Like many modern assault rifles, the M21 can incorporate picatinny rails for mounting accessories like optics, vertical grips, bipods, etc.

The Zastava M21 is gas operated with a rotating bolt locking system.^[3] It features a hard chromium-plated, cold forged standard rifled or an optional polygonal rifled barrel, integrated 22mm flash hider grenade launcher, rigid metal folding stock, heavy-duty synthetic handguard with an additional left hand side fire selector, cover mounted picatinny rail for optical sights. The rifle can also mount a 40mm under-barrel grenade launcher.^[3] It has a magazine capacity of 30 rounds. The cyclic rate of fire is 680 rounds per minute, and the sustained rate of fire is 120 rounds/min.^[3]

Barrels

The regular barrel has six grooves with a right-hand twist. An octagonal polygonal version is also available and has four grooves with a right-hand twist (M21B). Barrels are also hard chrome plated to provide a longer service life.^[4]

The rifle has conventional iron sights that consist of a front post and a flip-up rear sight with 300m and 500m apertures. A set of picatinny rails on the hand guard can mount various optoelectronic devices. The M21 is a modular weapon, with configuration dependent on the task and mission.

Optical sights:

• ON M04 "TELEOPTIK and
• ON M04A "ZRAK"

Optoelectronic devices:

• Reflex sight, M04 "MARS"
• Bookmark target laser M04A-AIM2000
• Passive monocular M04 MINI N/SEAS
• Passive sight PN 3x50 "SOVA"
• Bookmark laser target M04 "INFIZ"
• Passive monocular MINI N/SEAS combined with reflex sight M04 "MARS"

Variants[]

The M21 comes in several assault rifle and submachine gun variants:

• M21A – Standard baseline assault rifle.^[2]
• M21S – Compact short barrel assault rifle.^[5]
  • M21SBS – Built-in picatinny rail system.
• M21 – Submachine gun model.^[6]
  • M21BS – Built-in picatinny rail system.

Users[]

See also[]

References[]

External links[]

Assault rifle, submachine gun

The Zastava M21 is a series of 5.56×45mm NATOfirearms developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms in Serbia.^[2]

Description[edit]

The M21 is based on the AK-47 Kalashnikov principle, chambered in the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge.^[3] The current models use a 1.5mm thick stamped receiver, while a future model will feature an improved receiver of 0.9mm thickness to achieve a considerably lighter weight. Like many modern assault rifles, the M21 can incorporate picatinny rails for mounting accessories like optics, vertical grips, bipods, etc.

The Zastava M21 is gas operated with a rotating bolt locking system.^[3] It features a hard chromium-plated, cold forged standard rifled or an optional polygonal rifled barrel, integrated 22mm flash hider grenade launcher, and, much like the AK-74M, heavy-duty synthetic furniture with rigid polymer folding stock and side optics rail as standard (optional adapter base for cover mounted picatinny rail also available). The rifle can also mount a 40mm under-barrel grenade launcher.^[3] It has a magazine capacity of 30 rounds. The cyclic rate of fire is 680 rounds per minute, and the sustained rate of fire is 120 rounds/min.^[3]

The Zastava M21 uses a conventional barrel, while the Zastava M21B uses a polygonal barrel. The regular barrel has six grooves with a right-hand twist. An octagonal polygonal version is also available and has four grooves with a right-hand twist (M21B). Barrels are also hard chrome plated to provide a longer service life.^[4]

The rifle has conventional iron sights that consist of a front post and a flip-up rear sight with 300m and 500m apertures. However, much like the RK 62 and IMI Galil, the front and rear sight have been relocated to the gas block and top cover respectably. It also borrowed the Galil's thumb safety. The top cover is hinged like the AKS-74U. A set of picatinny rails on the hand guard can mount various optoelectronic devices. The M21 is a modular weapon, with configuration dependent on the task and mission.

Choices of optical sights include "TELEOPTIK" (ON M04) and "ZRAK" (ON M04A). Optoelectronic devices include a reflex sight ("MARS" M04), two bookmark target lasers ("AIM2000" M04A and "INFIZ" M04), two passive monoculars (M04 MINI N/SEAS and "MARS" M04+MINI N/SEAS), passive sight ("SOVA" PN 3x50).

Variants[edit]

The M21 comes in several assault rifle and carbine variants:

• M21 A – Standard baseline assault rifle.^[2]
• M21 S – Compact short barrel assault rifle.^[5]
  • M21 SBS – Built-in picatinny rail system.
• M21 C – Carbine.^[6]
  • M21 BS – Built-in picatinny rail system.

Users[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

   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.

Article by PREDRAG MRDJEN    Want to publish your own articles? Visit our guidelines for more information.