Zastava M72

The Zastava M72 is a light machine gun developed and manufactured by then Yugoslav Zastava Arms company.^[4][5] The M72 was patterned after the Soviet RPK light machine gun.

Zastava M72
Zastava M72
Type	Light machine gun
Place of origin	Yugoslavia
Service history
In service	1973–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Soviet–Afghan War[1] Iran–Iraq War Nagorno-Karabakh conflict[1] Yugoslav Wars Iraq War Operation Enduring Freedom Syrian Civil War[2] OLA insurgency[3]
Production history
Designed	1972
Manufacturer	Zastava Arms
Produced	since 1973
Specifications
Mass	5.5 kg
Length	1025 mm
Barrel length	542 mm
Cartridge	7.62×39mm
Action	Gas-actuated (rotating bolt)
Rate of fire	620 RPM
Muzzle velocity	745 m/s
Effective firing range	400 m
Feed system	30, 40 round box magazines or 75 round drum magazine
Sights	Adjustable iron sights, optional mount required for optical sights

Overview

The Zastava M72 chambers and fires the 7.62×39mm M67 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

• M72 - Standard version with a fixed wooden stock. Utilizes a milled receiver.
• M72B1 - Same as the M72, but with an updated stamped receiver instead of the milled receiver.
• M72AB1 - Same as the M72B1, but with a folding stock and detachable bipod.
• Al Quds - Iraqi Licensed produced variant.

A semi automatic variant of the M72B1 is produced in the United States using original parts kits with a US made receiver and barrel.

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.

Users

•  Afghanistan^[6]
•  Egypt^[7]
•  Iraq — was manufactured locally as Al Quds^[8][9][10]
•  Serbia^[11]

Non-state users

• Oromo Liberation Army^[12]
• Taliban^[13] – used during the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)

References

1. "Photos - AK and its derivatives in action".
2. "- YouTube". YouTube.
3. Noir, War (6 January 2021). "#Oromia / #Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA) fighters with Zastava M72B1 LMG, PK GPMG and SVD DMR". @War_Noir. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
4. http://www.zastava-arms.co.rs/cms/index.php?id=322 History of Zastava Arms
5. Zastava M72B1
6. Noir, War (2 May 2021). "#Afghanistan: #Taliban carried an attack on #ANDSF CP in Lashkargāh, #Helmand. A Zastava M72B1 LMG, Romanian PM md. 65 rifle, 2x AKM rifles, a Zastava M70(B1/AB2) rifle, a PK GPMG and a Zastava M84 GPMG were captured". @War_Noir. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
7. Berkowitz, Oded (31 January 2020). "#Egypt- MoI weapons display for UN peacekeeping operations, didn't expect to see a Zastava M72 there..." @Oded121351. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
8. "The Demise of Al-Qadisiyah Establishments During the Invasion of Iraq". Silah Report. 2020-05-28. Archived from the original on 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
9. "Centrefire automatic light machine gun - Al Quds (Kalashnikov)". Royal Armouries Collections. Archived from the original on 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
10. "Al Quds RKKS (AKM) Machine Rifle". Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
11. "Infantry | Serbian Armed Forces". Serbian Armed Forces. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
12. Noir, War (6 January 2021). "#Oromia / #Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA) fighters with Zastava M72B1 LMG, PK GPMG and SVD DMR". @War_Noir. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
13. Noir, War (23 February 2021). "#Afghanistan: #Taliban captured various weapons after an insider attack near #Helmand. A Romanian PM md. 65, an RPK LMG, Zastava M72B1 LMG, 2x Type 3 AK-47 rifles, Bulgarian Arsenal RPG-7V Launcher and PK GPMG were seized". @War_Noir. Retrieved 22 July 2021.

External links

• Zastava M72B1