Zastava M76
Summary
| Country | 🇳🇱 Ex-Yugoslavia |
| Category | Sniper rifle |
| Manufacturer | Crvena Zastava Arms Factory |
Technical specifications
| Zastava M76 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 30 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 7.92 x 57 mm Mauser or .308 Winchester or 7.62 x 54 mm |
| Magazine | 10 rounds |
| Length | 1135 mm (44.7 in) |
| Weight | 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) |
| Range | 600 m (1969 ft) |
Description
The Zastava M76 is a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms in the mid-1970s. It became the standard issue designated marksman rifle in the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and its successor, the Serbian army, serving a role similar to the Soviet Dragunov SVD by providing infantry platoons with a designated marksman capability. The M76 is reportedly being replaced in Serbian service by the Zastava M91, which utilizes the 7.62×54mmR cartridge, indicating a shift from the 7.92×57mm Mauser (M49/M75) cartridge.
The M76 is similar in concept to the Russian Dragunov SVD, as a semi-automatic rifle firing a full-power cartridge from a 10-round magazine. However, its design is closer to the AK-47/RPK pattern and Zastava's M70 AK-derivative, featuring separate stock and pistol grip furniture, unlike the Dragunov's thumbhole stock. The M76 is chambered in 7.92×57mm Mauser (8×57mm IS), using Yugoslav M49 Ball and M75 Sniper cartridges. It incorporates an AK-type piston attached to the bolt carrier and utilizes a milled steel receiver, similar to the original AK-47 but lengthened for the 7.92×57mm cartridge. Feeding is via 10-round steel box magazines which feature a follower that holds the bolt open after the last shot. Fire control is semi-automatic only with a two-position safety. The rifle features:
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A tapered barrel with a Dragunov-type slotted flash suppressor and foresight housing
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An AKM bayonet lug
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An operator-adjustable gas regulator providing four settings, including one to block gas for manual operation
Early models feature wooden furniture, while newer production uses synthetic polymer which slightly reduces weight and adds storage. Disassembly and operation are similar to the AK-47/AKM family. Accuracy is typically around 1.5 MOA, with a muzzle velocity of 730 m/s with standard ball ammunition. A side-rail allows mounting optics, commonly the ZRAK ON-M76 4× scope, which includes BDC for 100-1200m tuned for M75 sniper ammunition, adjustable windage, tritium illumination, and a range-finding reticle. Adjustable AKM-type iron sights are provided as backup, graduated from 100 to 1,000 m.
Zastava Arms produces a civilian variant known as the LKP M76, designated as a semi-automatic sporting rifle and offered in .308 Winchester. Assault Weapons of Ohio offers M76 variants chambered in .30-06 Springfield and 8mm. North Korea manufactures a rifle locally referred to as the Jeogyeok-Bochong, which some sources claim is a Zastava M76 clone, while others suggest it is based on the PSL.
The Zastava M76 saw extensive combat service during the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s, being used by multiple factions in conflicts across Croatia, Bosnia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. It has an effective range of up to 800 meters against man-sized targets under proper conditions, with potential use extending to 1,000 meters for skilled marksmen.
Current users of the M76 include Iraq, Myanmar (producing a copy known as MAS-1 MK-I), North Macedonia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, and Serbia. Former users include Croatia and Yugoslavia, with Croatia having phased it out in favor of Sako TRG and Remington M40A5 rifles.