Zastava M76 sniper rifle (Yugoslavia)

Zastava M76 sniper rifle with night vision scope

Zastava M76 sniper rifle with standard telescope sight

Calibers: 7.92x57 Mauser; also 7.62x51mm NATO and 7.62x54R

Operation: semiautomatic, gas operated, rotating bolt
Barrel: 550 mm
Weight: 4.2 kg
Length: 1135 mm
Feed Mechanism: 10 rounds detachable box magazine

The M76 sniper rifle has been developed by late 1970s at the Crvena Zastava Arms factory,
in former Yugoslavia. It is still offered by the successor of Crvena Zastava, the Zastava Arms
factory in Serbia. The M76 is based on famous Kalashnikov AK action, stretched and
strengthened to accept much longer and powerful rifle ammunition. The trigger also has been
limited to semiautomatic fire only. All controls and layout of the rifle are similar to AK, and it is
fitted with typical side-rail on the left wall of the receiver, which can accept mounts fro day
and night scopes. Standard sight is the 4X daylight telescope, and the M76 is fitted with
adjustable open sights as a back-up measure. Long barrel if fitted with flash hider. While M76
is said to be effective up to 800 meters, it is more in line with so called "designated
marksmen rifles" like Dragunov SVD, than with most of the western sniper rifles.

The M76 is a gas operated, semiautomatic weapon. Receiver of M76 is made from machined
steel. The long stroke gas piston operates the rotating bolt with two lugs, which locks into the
receiver. The Kalashnikov-type safety is located at the right side of the receiver. Furniture is
made from wood.

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