Zastava M70
Overview
M70AB2
Right side view of M70AB2 assault rifle.
Source: Zastava Arms -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Serbia - Zastava
Iraq - Al-Qadissiya (1978 - 1990's)
Iraq
Description
Introduction
The M70 is a Cold War era assault rifle of Yugoslav origin. The design is based on the Kalashnikov, but has seen an extensive period of redevelopment. Early models produced in limited quantitiy were known as the M64 series. The M70 is often as one of the higher quality derivatives of the AKM.
Design
The M70 is a variant of the Kalashnikov AKM, but differs in some respects from the Soviet models. The design started the M64 with many unique features such as a milled receiver, gas cutoff device, different charging handle, ribbed barrel and bolt hold open device. This was deemed too expensive to produce and after the development of the M70 and M70B the design eventually settled on the M70B1. The M70B1 differs from the AKM in having a much thicker stamped receiver, longer handguard with 3 slots, rubber buttpad, grenade launching sight and a barrel that is not chrome lined.
Firepower
The M70 fires the 7.62x39mm Soviet round from 30 round magazines. For use with the M70 the M67 round was developed in Yugoslavia, which is more effective than the original M43 round. It is capable of semi-automatic fire and fully automatic fire at a cyclic rate of fire of about 600 rpm. The maximum effective range is about 300 meters. The M70 is deemed more accurate and reliable than the AKM and reportedly performs better during prolonged automatic fire.
Users
The M70 was the standard issue assault rifle of the Yugoslav forces. It remains in use with all former Yugoslav nations, although some are replacing it with more modern designs. Additionally the M70 has been widely exported and encountered often in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Variants
M70AB2 and B1
Zastava M70AB2 (top) alongside the fixed stock M70B1 (bottom).
Source: Zastava Arms -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Variants of the Zastava M70
M70B1 / M70AB2: The M70 is the Yugoslav version of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. After a prolonged design period the design settled on the M70B1 rifle with fixed stock and M70AB2 with folding stock. The M70 might be the only derivative in the Kalashnikov family in which the folding stock version is more common than the fixed stock model. The M70B1 and AB2 can be fitted with a Zastava muzzle loaded grenade launcher.
M70B3 / M70AB3: The M70B3 and M70AB3 are models fitted for mounting the Soviet GP-25 or GP-30 grenade launchers. They lack the ability to launch muzzle grenades and can be identified by lacking the folding leaf sight. Otherwise they are similar to respectively the M70B1 and M70AB2. Both models have been produced under license in Iraq as the Tabuk.
Details
Media
Zastava M70AB2
Serbian soldier taking aim with a M70AB2 assault rifle.
Source: Serbian MOD
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Zastava M70AB2
Croatian soldier firing a M70AB2 assault rifle.
Source: US Marine Corps
Copyright: Public domain
Zastava M70AB2
US military personnel with M70A2 assault rifle acting as opposing force during an exercise. Note the blank firing adapter on the muzzle.
Source: US Air Force (SSgt Christopher S Muncy)
Copyright: Public domain
M70AB2
Left side view of M70AB2 assault rifle.
Source: Zastava Arms
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
M70AB3
Right side view of M70AB3 assault rifle.
Source: Zastava Arms
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
M70B3
Right side view of M70B3 assault rifle.
Source: Zastava Arms
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Zastava M70AB2
Croatian soldier with M70AB2 during an exercize in 2012.
Source: US Army (MSG Rich Kem)
Copyright: Public domain
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The M72 is the light machine gun variant of the M70. It is very similar to the Soviet RPK.