Zagi M91

Likaweld (Prva Hrvatska Tvornica Oružja) · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1991

Also known as: Zagi M-91, Zagi

Overview

The Zagi M91 is a Croatian 9x19mm blowback submachine gun improvised during the Croatian War of Independence, when the breakup of Yugoslavia left Croatia short of small arms. Its internal mechanism was copied from the British Sten, it fed from MP 40-pattern magazines, and it wrapped a partly polymer receiver, pistol grip and stock around that simple open-bolt action. Roughly 2,000 were built in 1991 before reliability problems and imported arms ended production.

Specifications

Weight (empty)3410 g (120.3 oz)
Overall Length850 mm (33.46")
Folded Length565 mm (22.24")
Barrel Length220 mm (8.66")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismOpen Bolt
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity32 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity380 m/s (1247 fps)
Muzzle Energy538 J (397 ft·lbf)
Effective Range150 m (164 yd)
Rate of Fire700 rpm
Barrel Rifling6 Grooves, Right-Hand Twist
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialPolymer
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialSteel
FinishMatte Black

Calibers

Features

Production

Estimated total produced: 2,000 · Production years: 1991

Approximately 2,000 units built in the single year of production, including a suppressed variant.

Origin

Country of origin: Croatia

Designer: Prva Hrvatska Tvornica Oružja (PHTO)

Discontinued: 1992

Notes

Also produced in a suppressed variant with an MP5SD-style vented barrel and integral suppressor. The design was prone to misfires and lacked a robust safety, and was quickly phased out as better imported weapons became available.

Background

Named after Zagreb, the Zagi was one of several improvised Croatian small arms hastily fielded in 1991 to arm defenders during the war of independence. Marrying Sten-gun internals to MP 40 magazines and an HK-inspired polymer housing, it was a stopgap born of wartime scarcity rather than a refined service weapon.