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Zastava M21
Photo: Srđan Popović · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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ZastavaM21

Assault Rifles · Serbia · 2004
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ZastavaM21

Zastava M21
Zastava M21 Photo: Srđan Popović · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
75
Accuracy
70
Effective Range
65
Controllability
80
Reliability
85
Ergonomics
70
Modularity
60
Weight
75
Versatility
70
Cost-Effectiveness
80
Origin Serbia
CategoryAssault Rifles
EraPost-Cold War
In service2004
Operators9 countries
Quantity15,000
Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
73
Assault Rifles MASS Rating
26/62
Post-Cold War
78/279
All-Time
Assault Rifles · 10 axes scored
Firepower
75
Accuracy
70
Effective Range
65
Controllability
80
Reliability
85
Ergonomics
70
Modularity
60
Weight
75
Versatility
70
Cost-Effectiveness
80
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
Zastava M21
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
73
assault rifles category
ⓘ 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
▣Operation9MOD.9
◇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
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
  • Total Production15,000
  • Production Start2004
  • Unit Cost630 USD
  • Variants3
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 2003First deployment: Iraq War
  2. 2004Production started
  3. 2005Sale: North Macedonia (500 units)
  4. 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
Zastava M21SALES6records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
2011Azerbaijan—$30.0 M$42.9 M
2005North Macedonia500——
—Cameroon———
—Iraq———
—Lebanon———
—Peru———
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Assault Rifles entry →