Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
Zastava M21
Category
Country
Production
2004–
Quantity
15,000
Unit Price (current)
$845.076↗ 34% inflation · 2016→2025
Original Price
$630 (2016)
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ASSAULT RIFLES · POST-COLD WAR
26
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$845.076
Original: $630 (2016)
Inflation: +%34
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the assault rifles category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Production Year2004
- Service Entry Year2004
- DesignerMarinko Petrović
- Weight (Empty)4.15 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersSerbia, Iraq, Peru, Lebanon, Cameroon, Azerbaijan, Republika Srpska
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
- Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
- Calibre5.56 mm
- Case Length45 mm
- Calibre Classintermediate
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation9MOD.9
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesselect-fire
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity30
- Cyclic Rate of Fire680
- Practical Rate of Fire120
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typeselector lever
◇Ballistics3MOD.3
- Muzzle Velocity925 m/s
- Effective Range (point)450 m
- Effective Range (area)600 m
◆Barrel & Sights7MOD.7
- Barrel Length460 mm
- Rifling Twist1:7 (right-hand)
- Rifling Grooves6
- Sight TypeAdjustable iron sights, optional mount required for optical sights
- Optic RailYes
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelYes
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialpolymer
- Folding / Collapsing StockYes
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsYes
- Modularityhigh
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
- Total Production15,000
- Production Start2004
- Unit Cost630 USD
- Variants3
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 2003First deployment: Iraq War
- 2004Production started
- 2005Sale: North Macedonia (500 units)
- 2011Sale: Azerbaijan · $30 M
22
years in service
15,000
units produced
9
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
ZASTAVA M21 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries9country
Zastava M21SALES6records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | — | $30.0 M | $42.9 M | |
| 2005 | 500 | — | — | |
| — | — | — | — | |
| — | — | — | — | |
| — | — | — | — | |
| — | — | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
ASSAULT RIFLES RANKING Assault Rifles · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
78ASSAULT RIFLES26POST-COLD WAR · ASSAULT RIFLES16SERBIA · ALL WEAPONS18PRICE · ASSAULT RIFLES877PRICE · ALL WEAPONS66PERFORMANCE/PRICE · ASSAULT RIFLES
ⓘ Rankings are within theAssault Riflescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE13terms
A bayonet lug is a metal fitting on the barrel or muzzle of a firearm that provides a mounting point for a bayonet.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
A pistol feature allowing it to fire grenades or projectile rounds.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
A pistol barrel with external helical grooves allowing the attachment of a suppressor or other muzzle devices.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources