Zastava M84

General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) [ 1984 ]

The Yugoslavian Zastava Arms M84 GPMG is based on the Soviet PK-PKM series of machine guns and has seen service with several national forces.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/21/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image courtesy of the Public Domain via Wikipedia user Tsnena, October 2006.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

In 1984, there emerged a new, locally-designed and produced Yugoslavian General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) as the Zastava Arms M84. No doubt influenced some by the Soviet PK/PKM series system, the M84 served in the same role and featured a similar appearance complete with its utilitarian design approach at the receiver, belt-feeding and chambering for the ubiquitous 7.62x54R cartridge. Service entry into the Yugoslavian Army occurred during 1985.

As with other GPMG systems, M84 is intended to serve multiple missions in the scope of ground forces. This means that the weapon can be fitted to a bipod as a portable measure or fixed atop a tripod in a more defensive-minded role. Only full-automatic fire is generally seen in this class of weapon and the barrel is cooled through simple air cooling, relying on the operator to manage heat build-up and change out barrels as necessary. Belt-feeding allows for consistent firepower without the need to change magazines frequently. Additionally, GPMGs typically used higher-powered, rifle-caliber cartridges in the 7.62mm range or larger.

Indeed, the M84 can be fielded in many battlefield roles including helicopter door gun pintle mounts and as a vehicle-served weapon. It sports a quick-change barrel function which aids in overheating and is serviceable as a dual-purpose weapon - capable of engaging ground-based targets or incoming aerial threats. When on its bipod, it can prove a handy area-suppression weapon at the squad-level.

Overall weight is 19lb while overall length if 46 inches with a 26-inch barrel. The action relies on a proven gas-operated, rotating bolt arrangement allowing for 700 to 800 rounds per minute to be achieved in its rate-of-fire. Muzzle velocity is listed at 2,700 feet per second with an effective firing range out to 1,000 meters. Feeding is through a 100- or 250-round belt. Iron sights allow for accurized ranged fire and are adjustable. Optical sights are supported though only when a mounting device is utilized.

While the nation of Yugoslavia no longer exists, its M84 weapon still resides in the inventories of several militaries of the world including Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Iraq, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1984

Origin

Yugoslavia

Classification

General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)

Zastava Arms - Yugoslavia / Croatia

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Afghanistan; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia; Iraq; Montenegro; Macedonia; Serbia

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Fire Support
Capable of suppressing enemy elements at range through direct or in-direct fire.

Overall Length

1,175 mm
46.26 in

Barrel Length

658 mm
25.91 in

Empty Wgt

19.40 lb
8.80 kg

Sights

Adjustable Iron; Optional Optics.

Action

Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt

Rotating Bolt
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

Gas-Operated
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

7.62x54mmR

Rounds / Feed

100- or 250-round belts

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Max Eff.Range

3,280 ft
(1,000 m | 1,093 yd)

Rate-of-Fire

750
rds/min

Muzzle Velocity

2,700 ft/sec
(823 m/sec)

M84 - Base Series Designation; standard infantry-level model; solid wooden stock; unfluted barrel assembly; based on the Soviet PKM machine gun series.

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Image courtesy of the Public Domain via Wikipedia user Tsnena, October 2006.

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