Zastava M59/66 PAP
Zastava Arms · Rifle · Discontinued · 1966
Also known as: M59/66, Yugo SKS, PAP M59/66A1, Poluautomatska Puska
Overview
The Zastava M59/66 PAP is a Yugoslav gas-operated semi-automatic rifle, a licensed adaptation of the Soviet SKS carbine chambered in 7.62x39mm. Its defining feature is a permanently fitted 22mm spigot-type rifle grenade launcher at the muzzle, paired with a folding ladder sight and a gas cutoff valve that diverts propellant gases when launching grenades. It feeds from an integral 10-round magazine loaded by stripper clips and retains a folding blade bayonet.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4280 g (151.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1120 mm (44.09") |
| Barrel Length | 550 mm (21.65") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Fixed Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 720 m/s (2362 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2070 J (1527 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 40 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x39mm · primary — also known as 7.62x39mm Soviet, 7.62mm M43, .30 Russian Short
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Integral Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Gas Cutoff Valve
- Features: Integral Grenade Launcher, Folding Ladder Grenade Sight, Folding Bayonet, Integral 10 Round Magazine, Tilting Bolt
Variants
- Zastava M59 PAP - Predecessor
Service history
Operators
- Yugoslav People's Army · adopted 1966 · as M59/66
- Territorial Defence forces
Conflicts
- Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001)
Production
Production years: 1966-1986
Produced by Crvena Zastava in Kragujevac; large numbers later exported as surplus
Origin
Country of origin: Yugoslavia
Designer: Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov
Discontinued: 1986
Notes
The 'PAP' designation comes from the Serbo-Croatian 'Poluautomatska Puska' (semi-automatic rifle). The integral grenade launcher and its tritium-marked folding sight distinguish the M59/66 from the earlier M59 and from standard SKS carbines.
Background
Yugoslavia adopted the SKS pattern but insisted on a rifle-grenade capability, producing the M59/66 with a permanently mounted spigot launcher. Vast surplus stocks made the M59/66 one of the most widely exported SKS variants in the world.