Zastava M76

Infobox Weapon|is_ranged=yes


caption=Zastava M76 with suppressor
name=M76
origin=flagcountry|Yugoslavia
type=Sniper rifle
designer=Zastava Arms
manufacturer=Zastava Arms
design_date=
service=1976 - present
used_by= See users and civil users
wars= Yugoslav wars, Cambodian civil war
cartridge=7.92x57mm Mauser
action=Gas-operated
rate=Semi-automatic
velocity=730 m/s (2,395 ft/s)
range=800+ m (875+ yards) with optics []
weight=4.6 kg (9lb 5.6oz)
length=1135 mm (44.68 in)
part_length=550 mm (21.65 in)
feed=10 round detachable box
sights=backup iron sights adjustable to 1000 m
optical sights can be mounted on a rail
variants=7.62x51mm NATO
7.62x54mmR (See also Zastava M91)
number=N/A

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

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. [ [http://www.un.org/icty/milosevic-d/trialc/judgement/judg071212e.pdf UN judgement dealing with sniping during the Yugoslav wars] ]

Design details

While the body of M76 is based upon to the Avtomat Kalashnikova obraztsa 1947 goda AK-47, the rifle featured several modifications. Fire is purely 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. [ [http://www.mod.gov.yu/vojska/eng/naoruzanje/kov/streljacko_naoruzanje/snajperske_puske.htm Serbian Armed Forces offical website] ] The typical scope used is a ZRAK M-76 4x 5°10’ scope originally produced in the ZRAK factory in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. [ [http://www.zrak.ba/ ZRAK factory website] ] [ [http://www.p-a-distributing.com/index.html US ZRAK factory optics importer website] ] 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.

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. [ [http://home.arcor.de/snipercountry/waffen/artikel/waffen11.html www.snipercountry.de Scharfschützengewehr M76 (German)] ]

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.

Variants

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

Users

*BIH
*CAM
*MNE
*DPRK - Manufactured locally
*SRB

ee also

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

References

External links

* [http://www.snipercentral.com/m76.htm Sniper Central: Yugoslavia M-76]
* [http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn65-e.htm Modern Firearms - Zastava M76 sniper rifle (Yugoslavia)]
* [http://home.arcor.de/snipercountry/waffen/artikel/waffen11.html www.snipercountry.de Scharfschützengewehr M76 (German)]
* [http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/ Zastava Arms website]
* [http://www.theakforum.net/ The AK Forum]