Zastava M51: A Compact Yugoslav Prototype SMG

Published on October 18, 2023
Duration: 6:16

This guide details the basic disassembly of the Zastava M51 prototype submachine gun, focusing on removing the bolt assembly and identifying key components. It highlights the hybrid design elements borrowed from other firearms like the PPSh-41 and Beretta 38. The information is presented with the authority of Ian McCollum, an expert in historical firearms.

Quick Summary

The Zastava M51 is a rare Yugoslavian prototype submachine gun from the 1950s, designed as a compact alternative to the M49. Chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev, it features a hybrid bolt design and a collapsing stock. It never saw official adoption, with the M56 eventually being chosen.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Zastava M51
  2. 01:16Fire Control and Safety
  3. 01:43Stock and Grip Design
  4. 02:18Barrel and Magazine
  5. 02:56Disassembly and Bolt Mechanics
  6. 03:38Markings and History
  7. 04:20Ergonomics and Recoil
  8. 05:18Conclusion and Non-Adoption

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Zastava M51?

The Zastava M51 is a rare prototype submachine gun developed in Yugoslavia during the 1950s. It was designed as a more compact alternative to the existing M49 SMG, incorporating design elements from firearms like the Soviet PPSh-41 and Italian Beretta 38.

What caliber does the Zastava M51 fire?

The Zastava M51 is chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev. This caliber was common for Soviet-bloc firearms of the era and was also used in its predecessors and contemporaries like the PPSh-41 and M49.

Why was the Zastava M51 never adopted?

The Zastava M51 remained a prototype and was never officially adopted by Yugoslavia. The country eventually opted for the M56 submachine gun, which featured design influences from the German MP40, suggesting a shift in design philosophy or requirements.

Where can one see a Zastava M51?

The Zastava M51 is an extremely rare firearm, with very few examples surviving. One known example is housed at the Croatian Police Museum (Muzej Policije) in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, as featured in the Forgotten Weapons video.

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