Zastava M92
Zastava Arms · Carbine · In Production · 1992
Also known as: ZPAP92, Zastava PAP M92
Overview
The Zastava M92 is a select-fire carbine chambered in 7.62x39mm, produced by Zastava Arms since 1992. 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. Featuring a 30-round magazine capacity, this carbine offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3200 g (112.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3570 g (125.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 795 mm (31.30") |
| Folded Length | 550 mm (21.65") |
| Barrel Length | 254 mm (10.00") |
| 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 | 678 m/s (2224 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1832 J (1351 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 500 m (547 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 | Steel |
| 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, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Rotating Bolt, Select Fire, Underfolding Stock, Flash Eliminator, Three Cooling Vents Handguard, Bulged Trunnion, Extremely Compact
Variants
- Zastava ZPAP92 — Civilian
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Serbian Armed Forces · adopted 1992 · as M92
- Serbian Police · as M92
Conflicts
- Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001)
Production
Production years: 1992-present
Produced for Serbian military, police, and commercial export. The civilian ZPAP92 is extremely popular on the American commercial market.
Origin
Country of origin: Serbia
Notes
The Zastava M92 fills the compact carbine role in Serbian service, primarily issued to vehicle crews, special police units, and security forces. The 254mm barrel is notably short for a 7.62x39mm weapon, producing significant muzzle blast and flash but providing exceptional portability. Unlike the Soviet AKS-74U which used the lighter 5.45mm cartridge, the M92's use of the heavier 7.62x39mm round results in more pronounced recoil in the compact platform. The M92 can be distinguished from the AKS-74U by its three cooling vents (versus the AKS-74U's smooth handguard), longer handguard, and different pistol grip design. The civilian semi-automatic ZPAP92 variant produced by Zastava Arms USA is extremely popular on the American market, featuring the same cold hammer-forged chrome-lined barrel and 1.5mm bulged trunnion. A companion model, the Zastava M85, is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. Compatible with all standard AKM/AK-47 30-round magazines and drum magazines.
Background
The M92 was developed in the chaos of the Yugoslav Wars when Serbian forces needed a compact weapon for urban combat and vehicle crews. Unlike the Soviet AKS-74U which switched to the lighter 5.45mm round to tame recoil in a short barrel, the M92 kept the full-power 7.62x39mm cartridge, producing spectacular muzzle blast and flash but devastating close-range terminal performance. The civilian ZPAP92 has become one of the most popular AK pistol platforms in the United States.