Zastava M72
Zastava Arms · Machine Gun · In Production · 1973
Also known as: M72B1, Al Quds, ZPAP M72
Overview
The Zastava M72 is a Yugoslav squad automatic machine gun chambered in 7.62x39mm, developed by Zastava Arms and adopted in 1973. Patterned on the Soviet RPK, it is a gas-operated, long-stroke piston design with a rotating bolt and a heavy, chrome-lined finned barrel for sustained fire. Fed from 30- or 40-round box magazines or a 75-round drum and fitted with a folding bipod, it provides squad- and platoon-level suppressive fire and remains in production in Serbia.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 5000 g (176.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1025 mm (40.35") |
| Barrel Length | 542 mm (21.34") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 745 m/s (2444 fps) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 620 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x39mm · primary — also known as 7.62x39mm Soviet, M43, 7.62mm Kalashnikov
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Detachable Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Selector Lever
- Features: Long Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Chrome Lined Barrel, Heavy Finned Barrel, Folding Bipod, Tangent Rear Sight
Variants
- Zastava M72B1 — Stamped Receiver
- Zastava M72AB1 — Underfolding Stock
Service history
Operators
- Yugoslav People's Army · adopted 1973 · as M72
- Serbian Armed Forces · as M72
- Iraqi Armed Forces · adopted 1978 · as Al Quds
Conflicts
- Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
Production
Production years: 1973-present
Produced by Zastava in Serbia; also license-produced in Iraq by Al-Qadissiya as the Al Quds. A semi-automatic civilian version is exported to the US as the ZPAP M72.
Origin
Country of origin: Serbia
Designer: Zastava Arms
Notes
Based on the AK/RPK pattern. The early M72 used a milled receiver; the later M72B1 adopted a stamped receiver and became the most common variant. Iraq produced a licensed copy designated Al Quds.
Background
The M72 was Yugoslavia's domestic answer to the Soviet RPK, giving each infantry squad a magazine-fed automatic weapon sharing ammunition and much of its manual of arms with the M70 rifle.