Zastava M93 Black Arrow
Zastava Arms · Sniper Rifle · In Production · 1998
Also known as: Black Arrow, Crna Strela
Overview
The Zastava M93 Black Arrow is a bolt-action anti-materiel rifle chambered in 12.7x108mm and .50 BMG, designed for long-range precision fire against equipment, light armor, and personnel at extreme distances. The rifle features a 1,000mm cold-forged chrome-lined barrel with longitudinal cooling grooves for weight reduction and improved accuracy, a massive muzzle brake that reduces felt recoil by up to 62%, and a folding bipod. The bolt-action mechanism feeds from a 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine. The .50 BMG variant has a shorter 840mm barrel and 1,510mm overall length. The M93 has been exported to over 15 countries and has seen extensive combat worldwide.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 16000 g (564.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1670 mm (65.75") |
| Barrel Length | 1000 mm (39.37") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 823 m/s (2700 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 16235 J (11974 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 12.7x108mm · primary — also known as 12.7mm Soviet
- .50 BMG — also known as 12.7x99mm NATO, .50 Browning Machine Gun
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Cold Forged Barrel, Chrome Lined Barrel, Longitudinal Cooling Grooves, Muzzle Brake 62 Percent Recoil Reduction, Folding Bipod, Dual Spring Shock Absorbers
Service history
Operators
- Serbian Armed Forces · adopted 1998 · as M93
- Georgian Armed Forces
- Iraqi Kurdistan (Peshmerga)
- Philippine Armed Forces
- Algerian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Kosovo War (1998-1999)
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
- Iraqi Civil War / War against ISIS (2014-2017)
Origin
Country of origin: Serbia
Notes
Design began in 1993, serial production started in 1998. The M93 was the predecessor to the M12M, which uses a more modern stock with integrated recoil buffer. The .50 BMG variant weighs approximately the same but is slightly shorter.
Background
Named 'Crna Strela' (Black Arrow) in Serbian, the M93 gained notoriety during the Kosovo War and has since appeared in numerous conflicts. Kurdish Peshmerga forces used the Black Arrow extensively against ISIS vehicles and fortified positions in Iraq. The rifle has also been documented in use by Syrian opposition forces and Houthi fighters in Yemen.