Difference between revisions of "Zastava M76"

Latest revision as of 15:58, 15 March 2013

Zastava M76 A rescoped M76 Type Sniper rifle Country of Origin Yugoslavia Specifications Length 1135 mm (44.68 in) Barrel 550 mm (21.65 in) Weight 4.6 kg (9lb 5.6oz) Cartridge 7.92x57mm Mauser action Gas-operated Rate of fire Semi-automatic Muzzle velocity 730 m/s (2,395 ft/s) Effective range 800+ m (875+ yards) with optics[1] Feed 10 round detachable box Sights backup iron sights adjustable to 1000 m optical sights can be mounted on a rail Service History In service 1976 - present Used by See users and civil users Wars Yugoslav wars, Cambodian civil war Production History Designer Zastava Arms Designed 1975 Manufacturer Zastava Arms Number built 15,000+ Variants 7.62x51mm NATO 7.62x54mmR (See also Zastava M91)

The M76 is a modern military semi-automatic designated marksman/sniper rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms of Kragujevac, Serbia.

[edit] History

The arms company Zastava released the M76 in the mid-1970s. Since then it has become the standard issue rifle for snipers in the Serbian army. During the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s, it was used by several sides; it saw action in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo.^[2]

[edit] Design details

While the body of M76 is based upon the "Avtomat Kalashnikova obraztsa 1947 goda" AK-47, the rifle featured several modifications. Fire is semi-automatic. The barrel has been elongated and strengthened so that the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge, which is well suited for long-range use, can be used. Though the M76 fires its bullets at a relatively modest 730 m/s (2395 ft/s) muzzle velocity, the 7.92 x 57 IS cartridge loaded with aerodynamically efficient 12.8 gram (198 gr) military sS ball bullets still offers a supersonic reach of ≈ 910 m (995 yd) under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m³). Both the stock and the pistol grip have been modified to make them more comfortable for the shooter. In newer production models the wooden furniture is replaced with synthetic polymer material which offers some storage space for accessories like a cleaning kit and reduces the M76 overall weight by approximately 0.5 kg. The rifle features mechanically adjustable backup iron sights with a sliding tangent rear sight (the iron sights can be adjusted to a maximum range of 1000 m). In addition to the regular iron sights, a side-rail on the left wall of the receiver has been added to accept various telescopic sights and night optics.^[3]

ZRAK M-76 4x 5°10’ reticle layout. The range finder in the bottom-left corner can be used to determine the distance from a 170 cm tall human. Chevrons for bullet drop over long distances are in the middle, and markers for wind on the left and right. This is the operators view through the similar Romanian sight.

The typical scope used is a ZRAK M-76 4x 5°10’ scope originally produced in the ZRAK] factory in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.^[4][5]This optical sight is similar to the PSO-1 4x24 sight used on the Russian SVD rifle and the Romanian I.O.R. LPS 4x6° TIP2 4x24 sight used on the PSL rifle. The reticle illumination of the ZRAK M-76 4x 5°10’ is provided by (radioactive) tritium. The tritium light source has to be replaced every 8-12 years, since it gradually loses its brightness due to radioactive decay.

[edit] Performance

The M76 is relatively accurate for a semi-automatic rifle. It can achieve 1.5 to 2 Minute of arc or MOA consistent accuracy with appropriate ammunition. Under normal conditions a maximum effective range of 800 m (875 yd) against man sized targets for an average sniper is achievable. The dispersion at 900 m (984 yd) is described as 50 x 50 cm (19.7 x 19.7 in), which is ≈ 1.9 MOA. Under optimal atmospheric and environmental conditions excellent marksmen might use the M76 up to 1000 m (1094 yd). Recoil is described as being modest.^[6]

In recent wars, it gained the reputation of an extremely reliable and capable weapon and was intensively used in all combat situations.

Like with all precision rifles, the user has to take care not to overheat the barrel.

[edit] Variants

Variant models chambered for the 7.62×51 NATO and the 7.62 x 54R have been produced for export.

[edit] Users

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Croatia
• North Korea - Manufactured locally
• Montenegro
• Serbia

[edit] See also

• Zastava M91
• List of firearms
• List of sniper rifles
• List of rifle cartridges

[edit] Resources

This article or section is missing resources, such as diagrams or manual links, and could use more input to fill in the missing bits. You (yes, you!) can help Gunsopedia provide more comprehensive information to our users by using your own knowledge to add to it.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Sniper Central: Yugoslavia M-76
• Modern Firearms - Zastava M76 sniper rifle (Yugoslavia)
• www.snipercountry.de Scharfschützengewehr M76 (German)
• Zastava Arms website

"Zastava M76" is part of a series on the AK-47 and its cousins

AK-47 · AKM · AK-74 · AK-101 · AK-103 · AK-107 · AEK-971 · AMD 65 · CR-21 · IMI Galil · INSAS · Kbk wz. 1988 Tantal · Kbk wz. 1996 Mini-Beryl · Kbk wz. 2005 Jantar · Kbk wz. 2002 BIN · Kbkg wz. 1960 · Kbs wz. 1996 Beryl · Norinco Type 86S · PA md. 86 · PM md. 63/65 · PSL · R4 · RPK · RK 62 · RK 95 TP · Skbk wz. 1989 Onyks · Type 56 ·Type 81 · Valmet M76 · Valmet M82 · Zastava M21 · Zastava M70 · Zastava M70B · Zastava M72 · Zastava M76 · Zastava M77 · Zastava M77B1 ·Zastava M92