Zastava M72

The Zastava M72 is a light machine gun developed and manufactured by then Yugoslav Zastava Arms company.^[4][5] The M72 was patterned after the Soviet RPK light machine gun.

Zastava M72
Zastava M72
Type	Light machine gun
Place of origin	Yugoslavia
Service history
In service	1973–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Soviet–Afghan War[1] Iran–Iraq War Nagorno-Karabakh conflict[1] Yugoslav Wars Iraq War Operation Enduring Freedom Syrian Civil War[2] OLA insurgency[3]
Production history
Designed	1972
Manufacturer	Zastava Arms
Produced	since 1973
Specifications
Mass	5.5 kg
Length	1025 mm
Barrel length	542 mm
Cartridge	7.62×39mm
Action	Gas-actuated (rotating bolt)
Rate of fire	620 RPM
Muzzle velocity	745 m/s
Effective firing range	400 m
Feed system	30, 40 round box magazines or 75 round drum magazine
Sights	Adjustable iron sights, optional mount required for optical sights

Design

The Zastava M72 chambers and fires the 7.62×39mm M67 round. It is a gas-operated, air-cooled, drum-fed firearm with a fixed stock. It is a squad automatic weapon, like the Soviet RPK but has unique design features.

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

• M72 - Standard version with a fixed wooden stock. Utilizes a milled receiver.
• M72B1 - Same as the M72, but with an updated stamped receiver instead of the milled receiver. A semi automatic variant is produced in the United States using original parts kits with a US made receiver and barrel.
• M72AB1 - Same as the M72B1, but with a folding stock and detachable bipod.
• Al Quds - Iraqi Licensed produced variant.

Users

•  Afghanistan^[6]
•  Egypt^[7]
• Iraq — was manufactured locally as Al Quds^[8][9][10]
• Serbia^[11]

Non-state users

• Oromo Liberation Army^[12]
• Taliban^[13] – used during the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)