Zastava M70
Zastava Arms · Assault Rifle · In Production · 1970
Also known as: M70B1, M70AB2, Tabuk, ZPAP M70, Yugoslav AK
Overview
The Zastava M70 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm, produced by Zastava Arms since 1970. This Serbian-manufactured firearm reflects the engineering traditions and quality standards of its country of origin, designed to meet the demands of both civilian and professional users in a competitive global marketplace.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3700 g (130.5 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 875 mm (34.45") |
| Barrel Length | 415 mm (16.34") |
| Height | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Width | 45 mm (1.77") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 720 m/s (2362 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2067 J (1525 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 410 m (448 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 620 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 7.62mm Soviet, 7.62x39mm M43
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Hammer Notch
- Features: Chrome Lined Barrel, Chrome Lined Chamber, Rotating Bolt, Select Fire, Grenade Launching Sight, Grenade Launcher Gas Cutoff, Thicker Receiver 1 5mm, Rubber Buttplate, Teak Furniture, Cooling Slots Handguard
Variants
- Zastava M70A — Folding Stock
- Zastava M70B1 — Stamped Receiver
- Zastava M70AB2 — Folding Stock
- Zastava ZPAP M70 — Civilian
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Yugoslav People's Army · adopted 1970 · as M70
- Serbian Armed Forces · adopted 2006 · as M70
- Croatian Armed Forces · adopted 1991 · as M70
- Bosnian Armed Forces · adopted 1992 · as M70
- Slovenian Armed Forces · adopted 1991 · as M70
- North Macedonian Armed Forces · adopted 1991 · as M70
- Montenegrin Armed Forces · adopted 2006 · as M70
- Iraqi Armed Forces · adopted 1975 · as Tabuk
- Cypriot National Guard · as M70
- Afghan Armed Forces · as M70
Conflicts
- Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001)
- Gulf War (1990-1991)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 3,000,000 · Production years: 1970-present
Estimated 3 million or more produced including domestic use and exports. Iraq produced copies as the Tabuk rifle. The civilian ZPAP M70 is one of the most popular AK-pattern rifles on the US commercial market.
Origin
Country of origin: Yugoslavia
Notes
The Zastava M70 is one of the most widely produced and combat-proven AK variants outside of Russia. Due to Yugoslavia's non-aligned political status, the M70 was exported extensively throughout Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, seeing combat in the Yugoslav Wars, Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq, and numerous African conflicts. The M70's thicker 1.5mm receiver provides superior rigidity over the standard 1mm AKM receiver. The grenade launching capability is a distinctive Yugoslav feature not found on standard Soviet AK rifles. Iraqi copies are known as the 'Tabuk' rifle. The modern civilian ZPAP M70 produced by Zastava Arms USA features a cold hammer-forged chrome-lined barrel and bulged trunnion and is one of the most popular AK-pattern rifles on the US commercial market. Compatible with standard AKM/AK-47 30-round magazines.
Background
The M70 was reverse-engineered from captured and imported AK rifles because Yugoslavia's refusal to join the Warsaw Pact prevented direct technology transfer from the Soviet Union. Its distinctive 1.5mm thick receiver (50% thicker than a standard AKM) and integrated grenade-launching capability became hallmarks of Yugoslav small arms design. Iraqi copies known as 'Tabuk' rifles were produced at the Al-Qadissiya Establishments and saw extensive combat in the Gulf War and Iraq War.