The Zastava M21 is a modern assault rifle developed and manufactured by the Serbian Zastava Arms company. The M21 is designed on the basis of the Kalashnikov rifles from Russia.
The Zastava M21 rifle chambers and fires the 5.56x45mm NATO or .223 Remington round. It is gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, selective fire firearm with a folding stock.
On 29 April 2004 the M21 was officially accepted by the Military of Serbia and Montenegro as the successor to its 7.62 mm firing Zastava M70/M72/M92 assault rifles.
In 2004, the then Ministry of Defence of Serbia and Montenegro, ordered 500 Zastava M21 assault rifles. Serial production of the new rifle began on 1 September 2004 and 5,000 rifles were produced in 2004 with the M21 designation.
In 2005, a number of M21 rifles, costing 150,000 euros, was received by Macedonia, who was the first foreign customer of the M21.
In 2006 and 2007, Zastava M21 assault rifles were spotted in the hands of Iraqi forces and private military contractors during the Iraq War. In March 2008 Iraq ordered 2,000 M-21 rifles to serve in their army.
Currently over 18,000 M-21 assault rifles are in service with the military of Serbia.
The Zastava M21 rifle chambers and fires the 5.56x45mm NATO or .223 Remington round. It is gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, selective fire firearm with a folding stock.
On 29 April 2004 the M21 was officially accepted by the Military of Serbia and Montenegro as the successor to its 7.62 mm firing Zastava M70/M72/M92 assault rifles.
In 2004, the then Ministry of Defence of Serbia and Montenegro, ordered 500 Zastava M21 assault rifles. Serial production of the new rifle began on 1 September 2004 and 5,000 rifles were produced in 2004 with the M21 designation.
In 2005, a number of M21 rifles, costing 150,000 euros, was received by Macedonia, who was the first foreign customer of the M21.
In 2006 and 2007, Zastava M21 assault rifles were spotted in the hands of Iraqi forces and private military contractors during the Iraq War. In March 2008 Iraq ordered 2,000 M-21 rifles to serve in their army.
Currently over 18,000 M-21 assault rifles are in service with the military of Serbia.| Zastava M21 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Serbia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Serbia, Republic of Macedonia, Armenia, Iraq, Private Military Contractors |
| Wars | Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Zastava Arms |
| Manufacturer | Zastava Arms |
| Produced | 2004-Present |
| Number built | 23,000+ |
| Variants | M21, M21S, M21C |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | M21 - 3.85 kg, M21S - 3.8 kg, M21C - 3.59 kg |
| Length | M21 - 998/750 mm, M21S - 915/666 mm, M21C - 856/606 mm |
| Barrel length | M21 - 460 mm (18.1"), M21S - 375 mm (14.8"), M21C - 325 mm (12.8") |
| | |
| Cartridge | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-actuated (rotating bolt) |
| Rate of fire | 680 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 925 m/s |
| Effective range | 450 m (492 yd) with iron sights 600 m (656 yd) with optics |
| Feed system | 30 rounds |
| Sights | Adjustable iron sights, optional mount required for optical sights |
