The-KeyZone: Sniper Guns from Yugoslavia: Yugoslavia M-76

The M76 is a modified AK-47/74 that has been accurized with a longer and heavier barrel and a modified stock that is more comfortable and ergonomical. The M76 has also been chambered in 7.92x57 Mauser, a much better long range caliber then either the 7.62x39mm or 5.45x39mm calibers of the rifles its derived from. The M76 Teloscopic sight is essentially a Russian PSO-1 with active IR illumination detection ability and a lighted reticule. Its calibrated with a BDC out to 1200 meters, but thats fairly optimistic for the performance of the rifle. The rifle also comes with a 5x80mm passive night vision scope, which appears to be about the equivilent of a gen II night vision device. (Good to about 500 meters on a bright moon, clear night).

Caliber    7.92 x 57 Mauser
Action    Gas operated semi-automatic
Length    44.69" (1135mm)
Weight    9.24 lbs (4.2 kg)
Barrel Length                21.65 inches (550mm)
Magazine                      10 round detachable box
Sight       Standard Kalashnikov iron sights
Teloscopic Sight    M76 4x24mm (PSO-1)
Stock                            Slightly modified Kalashnikov wood
Max Effective Range    800+ meters (875+ yards)

The rifle is comfortable to shoot and the 7.92 Mauser offers pretty good ballistics, with 800 meters being an acheivable range for the average sniper, and 1000 meters for the expert.

The recoil is light, but there can be a heat problem with successive rapid fire shots. Overall, the rifle is a solid "field" sniper system with about 1.5 - 2.0 MOA and is very functional, as proven in Bosnia and Kosovo.