M93 Black Arrow
Summary
| Country | 🇳🇱 Ex-Yugoslavia |
| Category | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
| Manufacturer | Zastava Arms |
Technical specifications
| M93 Black Arrow | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | Single shot rounds/min. |
| Caliber | .50BMG (12.7 x 99 mm) or 12.7 x 108 mm |
| Magazine | 5 rounds |
| Length | 1670 mm (65.7 in) |
| Weight | 16.0 kg (35.3 lb) |
| Range | 2000 m (6562 ft) |
Description
The M93 Black Arrow anti-materiel rifle was designed by Zastava Arms in 1993, with production starting in 1998. It is in service with the Serbian military, and is equipped with a ZRAK 8x56 optical sight, a scaled-up version of the optic issued with the Zastava M76 rifle. This sight features 8x magnification, a 56mm objective, and markings up to 1,800 meters.
This rifle is a bolt-action, air-cooled, magazine-fed weapon with a fixed stock, fed from detachable box magazines with capacities of 5 or 10 rounds. The shoulder stock utilizes a telescoping design, connecting to the pistol grip via two stiff springs. The bolt handle is located on the right side of the receiver, and a carrying handle is attached to the forend. The barrel is fitted with a multi-baffled brake to aid in managing recoil, and a folding bipod is included. The design incorporates influences from the Mauser 98 system, the Mauser 1918 T-Gewehr, and the French FR-F1, primarily from the Mauser system. The front of the M93's bolt resembles the Mauser design, while the rear and firing pin are scaled-up versions of the FR-F1 bolt design, simplifying manufacture and disassembly while maintaining reliability. The M93 employs a trigger block safety similar to the design used in the Russian SVT-40 and the FR-F1.
The Zastava M93 Black Arrow is chambered for either the 12.7×108mm or .50 BMG (12.7×99mm) cartridges. The 12.7x108mm was the original chambering, suitable for users in former Soviet nations where this round is more common, while the .50 BMG chambering was developed specifically for the export market. Civilian versions sold in the United States frequently feature a Picatinny rail on the receiver instead of an included scope, allowing for user-selected optics.
The M93 has seen service with various state and non-state actors, including the Syrian Army, as well as both the internationally recognized government and Houthi forces during the Yemeni civil war.
Current state users include Algeria, Armenia, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, the Philippines, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Yemen. The Philippine military uses it across its Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and the Intelligence Service of the AFP. The YPG is a confirmed non-state actor that uses the rifle.