Zastava M90
Zastava Arms · Assault Rifle · Limited Production · 1990
Also known as: M90, Zastava M90 NP
Overview
The Zastava M90 is a Serbian gas-operated, selective-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. Developed in 1990 by Zastava Arms as a NATO-caliber modernization of the Kalashnikov-pattern M70/M80 family, it pairs the proven AK long-stroke gas piston system and milled receiver with a STANAG-compatible magazine well and an M16-style flash eliminator. An adjustable gas block includes a third gas-cutoff position for launching rifle grenades. The breakup of Yugoslavia and subsequent UN sanctions kept production limited; the M90 never fully replaced the M70 in front-line service and is today found mainly with Serbian special operations units.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3700 g (130.5 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4150 g (146.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 990 mm (38.98") |
| Barrel Length | 460 mm (18.11") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 960 m/s (3150 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1830 J (1350 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 620 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Lined Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56 NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington (chamber compatible)
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Dust Cover Safety Lever
- Features: Long Stroke Gas Piston, Adjustable Gas System, Rifle Grenade Gas Cutoff, Stanag Magazine Compatibility, Western Style Flash Eliminator, Milled Receiver
Service history
Operators
- Serbian Armed Forces · as M90
Conflicts
- Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001)
Production
Production years: 1990s-present
Output of the military M90 remained limited due to UN sanctions on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the 1990s; the design later spawned widely exported semi-automatic PAP/ZPAP M90 variants.
Origin
Country of origin: Serbia
Designer: Zastava Arms
Notes
Original military M90 is select-fire; the civilian semi-automatic PAP M90 / ZPAP M90 export variants are derived from this design but are distinct semi-auto rifles. Some sources cite a longer 18.25 in (464 mm) barrel for the carbine-length export rifle.
Background
The M90 was Zastava's attempt to keep its Kalashnikov line relevant in a NATO-standard world, rechambering the rugged M70 platform for 5.56x45mm to ease ammunition logistics with potential Western partners just as Yugoslavia itself was disintegrating.