Type Light machine gun In service 1973–present Manufacturer Zastava Arms | Place of origin Yugoslavia Designed 1972 | |
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Wars Yugoslav Wars
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Syrian Civil War | ||
The Zastava M72 is a light machine gun developed and manufactured by then Yugoslav Zastava Arms company. Generally, the M72 is almost a direct copy of the Soviet RPK light machine gun, the only visual differences being in barrel, wooden stock, no side rail mount and slightly in design of the wooden handguard.
Contents
Overview
The Zastava M72 chambers and fires the 7.62×39mm M43 round. It is a gas-operated, air-cooled, drum-fed firearm with a fixed stock.
This weapon is a near copy of the Soviet RPK light machine gun. There are a few differences on the M72/M72A. It does not have a scope side rail mount, the butt is also different, having the shape of a regular AK-47 rifle. It has a reinforced receiver, night sights and no carrying handle. The barrel also differs from other RPK rifles because of the cooling fins to help with heat dissipation from prolonged fire. The M72 only appears with a heavy profile barrel as opposed to Russian and Romanian RPK rifles that can come in both light or heavy barrel configurations.
Variants
Many variants have also been made in Iraq under the name of 'Tabuk' (i.e. Tabuk Sniper Rifle), which are direct copies of the M70A and the M72.
Design details
The Zastava M72/M72A is a gas-operated, air-cooled, drum-fed, selective fire, shoulder-fired weapon with a bipod. It is a squad automatic weapon, like the Soviet RPK but has unique design features.