Zastava M77 AB2
Zastava Arms · Battle Rifle · Discontinued · 1977
Also known as: M77 AB2, Automatska puska M77
Overview
The Zastava M77 AB2 is a Yugoslav select-fire battle rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, developed by Zastava Arms in the late 1970s. It applies the proven Kalashnikov long-stroke gas piston and rotating-bolt action of the AK family to the full-power 7.62 NATO cartridge, fed from a 20-round detachable box magazine. Conceived to give Yugoslav infantry a heavier-hitting automatic rifle compatible with Western ammunition, the M77 AB2 served in a squad automatic / battle-rifle role before the semi-automatic M77 B1 export pattern was derived from it.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4800 g (169.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 990 mm (38.98") |
| Barrel Length | 500 mm (19.69") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 840 m/s (2756 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3344 J (2466 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 620 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62 NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Kalashnikov Dust Cover Selector
- Features: Ak Pattern Long Stroke Piston, Rotating Bolt, Milled Receiver, Battle Caliber Squad Automatic, Rps 47 Pattern Magazine
Variants
- Zastava M77 B1 — Semi Automatic Export
Service history
Operators
- Yugoslav People's Army · adopted 1977 · as M77 AB2
Conflicts
- Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001)
Production
Production years: 1977-1990s
Limited Yugoslav military production; the 7.62 NATO chambering saw far smaller numbers than the 7.62x39mm M70
Origin
Country of origin: Serbia
Notes
AB2 designates the original select-fire Yugoslav service variant; the later M77 B1 is the semi-automatic-only configuration aimed at export and civilian markets. The platform shares its lineage with the 7.62x39mm Zastava M70 and the 7.92x57mm M76 designated marksman rifle.
Background
Zastava bolted the full-power 7.62 NATO round onto an enlarged Kalashnikov action, giving Yugoslavia a rifle that could shoot captured or NATO-supplied ammunition with the rugged simplicity of an AK.