Zastava M84

History

In 1984, a new, locally designed and produced Yugoslav General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) appeared in the form of the Zastava Arms M84. Undoubtedly influenced by the Soviet PK/PKM series system, the M84 played the same role and had a similar appearance, with purposeful designs for its receiver, belt feed and chamber for the ubiquitous 7.62x54R cartridge method.

Served in the Yugoslav Army in 1985.

Like other GPMG systems, the M84 is designed to perform multiple missions in the field of ground forces. This means the weapon can be mounted on a bipod as a portable unit, or it can be mounted on a tripod for a more defensive role.

Only fully automatic fire is usually seen in this type of weapon, the barrel is cooled by simple air cooling, relying on the operator to manage heat build-up and replace the barrel if necessary. Belt feed provides consistent firepower without frequent magazine changes.

Additionally, GPMGs typically use more powerful rifle caliber cartridges in the 7.62mm or larger range.

In fact, the M84 can be used in many battlefield roles, including pivot mounts for helicopter doors and vehicle-mounted weapons. It features a quick-change barrel to help with overheating, and is a dual-purpose weapon - capable of attacking ground targets or incoming airborne threats.

When mounted on its bipod, it can prove to be a handy area suppression weapon at the squad level.

The overall weight is 19 lbs, the overall length is 46 inches, and the barrel is 26 inches. The action is based on a proven pneumatic rotating bolt arrangement that allows a rate of fire of 700 to 800 rounds per minute. The muzzle velocity is specified at 2,700 feet per second, and the effective range is up to 1,000 meters. Feed via 100 or 250 round belts. Iron sights allow precise long-range shooting and are adjustable.

However, optical sights are only supported when using a mounting fixture.

Although the country of Yugoslavia no longer exists, its M84 weapons are still in the stockpiles of several world armies including Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Iraq, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes