Zastava's ZPAP M72 RPK Is Now Shipping

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posted on February 22, 2025
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Zastava M72 01
Images courtesy of Zastava USA.

Serbian manufacturer Zastava opened its U.S. subsidiary in 2019 to offer authentic firearms patterned after classic Yugoslavian Cold War designs. These include the AK-pattern M70 and the M91 designated marksman rifle. Last year, Zastava USA announced that its line-up would expand to include the M72 “RPK” rifle. Now in 2025, the Zastava M72 is available on the market.

An RPK is more than a long-barreled AK, and the M72 is more than an RPK. Like many Yugoslavian firearms, the M72 took a Soviet design and gave it its own native flavor. The RPK was a Russian light machine-gun derived from the AK rifle, with a heavier receiver, longer and heavier barrel, a bipod and special furniture.

Based on the RPK concept, the semi-automatic M72 shares these design features and its 7.62x39 mm chambering. Its 21” barrel is cold hammer-forged with a chrome-lined bore, and unique cooling fins behind the gas block to help dissipate heat. A detachable bipod is mounted to the barrel. Like all Zastava AK-type rifles, the stamped receiver is 1.5 mm thick and has a heavy-duty “bulged” trunnion, along with the modern addition of a side optic rail. The rear sight is adjustable for both elevation and windage, like the RPK. Furniture is wood and has its own unique form, including an M76-pattern grip and buttstock.

Zastava has also announced the introduction of its VUK Titanium AK Suppressor that mimics the aesthetics of the Soviet PBS-1 suppressor, an accessory that would pair nicely with the M72.       

Muzzle view of the Zastava M72 with an attached titanium suppressor.
Zastava’s new VUK titanium suppressor shown attached to the company’s M70 rifle.

The Zastava USA M72 has an MSRP of $1,600. For more information, see the company’s website.

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