Zastava M59/66

Zastava M59/66 PAP, also known as papovka is a Yugoslav licensed version of Soviet semi-automatic rifle SKS. The nickname "papovka" is a derived from PAP, the abbreviation for poluautomatska puška, Serbian for "semi-automatic rifle".

Zastava M59/66 PAP
A Zastava M59/66
TypeSemi-automatic rifle
Place of origin Yugoslavia
Service history
In service1970–present
Used bySee Users
WarsYugoslav wars
Production history
DesignerZastava Arms
ManufacturerZastava Arms
Produced1959-1966
No. built52,169[1]
VariantsM59, M59/66, M59/66A1 and M59/66A1 PROTOKOL
Specifications
Mass4.1 kg (9.0 lb)
Length1,120 mm (44 in)
Barrel length550 mm (22 in)
Cartridge7.62×39mm
ActionGas-operated (tilting bolt)
Rate of fireSemi-automatic
Muzzle velocity735 m/s (2,410 ft/s)
Effective firing range500 m (550 yd)
Feed system10-round stripper clip
SightsMechanic tangent sight, optical sight, rifle grenade sight

History of development

The Yugoslav armament industry started planning the development and production of a new self-made semi-automatic rifle during the 1950s. After observing the superior characteristics of captured Gewehr 41 and Gewehr 43 rifles, the Yugoslavs decided to develop a replacement for the old Zastava M48 rifle. Later on, the license for an SKS type of rifle was bought from the Soviet Union and in late 1959 and 1960 the new rifle was presented. This first type was named M59. After few series of this rifle and during development of it, it was renamed to M59/66.[2]

Description

The Zastava M59/66 PAP is used against personnel, fortified targets, vehicles, and low-flying aircraft using rifle fire, rifle grenade or bayonet. There is also a civilian variant with neither bayonet nor the ability to fire rifle grenades.[3]

Users

Current users

Former users
  • Serbian Guards Battalion using Zastava M59/66
  • Zastava M59/66 used by Croatian Armed Forces
  • Honour Guard of Kosovo Protection Corps
  • Slovenian Honour Unit on Žale memorial during laying of wreath
  • Honour Unit of the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska during Republic Day parade

References
  1. "Poluatomaska Puska (PAP) M59 SKS Carbine". www.milsurps.com. 2011-03-01.
  2. "Zastava PAP M59/66 "Papovka" opis puške". Youtube, channel Dum Dum (in Serbian).
  3. "Титова "паповка" још пуца". Politika (in Serbian).
  4. "TENDER NOTICE P-4 SEC" (PDF). dgdp. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  5. "SALW Guide Global distribution and visual identification Bangladesh Country report" (PDF). Bonn International Benter for Conversion. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  6. "Oruzane snage Bosne i Hercegovine". Forum klix.ba (in Bosnian).
  7. "Defile povodom Dana Republike Srpske 9. januar 2019" (in Serbian). Youtube, channel Nezavisni portal Foče. 2019-01-09.
  8. Primerjalna analiza gardnih enot oboroženih sil Slovenije, Hrvaške, Srbije, BiH, Kosova, Črne Gore in Makedonije, Fakulteta za družbene vede, Ljubljana
  9. "Naoruzanje i oprema Gardijskog bataljona". YouTube, channel RTS emisija Dozvolite - Zvanični kanal (in Serbian). 2014-05-31.
  10. Mtonga, Robert; Mthembu-Salter, Gregory (1 October 2004). "Country study: Zambia" (PDF). Hide and Seek: Taking Account of Small Arms in Southern Africa. p. 285. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  11. "Gun Review: Yugo M.59 Semi-Automatic Rifle Series". Tactical-life (in Serbian). 2014-10-03.
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