Zastava M57
The M57 with a loaded 9-round magazine.
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originYugoslavia
Service history
In service1961–1992 (Yugoslavia)
Used byYugoslav People's Army, Viet Cong, North Vietnamese Army
WarsVietnam War
Persian Gulf War
Yugoslav Wars
Russian invasion of Ukraine[1]
Production history
DesignerZastava Arms
Designed1957[2]
ManufacturerZastava Arms
Produced1963–1982[3]
No. built260,000–270,000[3]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass854 g (30.1 oz)
Length194 mm (7.6 in)
Barrel length116 mm (4.6 in)
Height134 mm (5.3 in)
Cartridge7.62×25mm Tokarev
ActionShort recoil actuated, locked breech, single action
Muzzle velocity480 m/s (1,575 ft/s)
Effective firing range50 m
Feed system9-round detachable box magazine
SightsFront blade, rear notch
156 mm (6.1 in) sight radius

The Zastava M57 is a Yugoslavian and Serbian semi-automatic pistol produced by Zastava Arms. It was the standard service pistol of the Yugoslav People's Army from 1961 until the early 1990s.[2] The M57 was an unlicensed derivative of the Soviet TT pistol, but incorporated a number of detail modifications, namely a longer grip and a slightly larger magazine.[1] Zastava reverse engineered the Soviet TT in 1954, and began serial production of the weapon type as the M57 in 1963.[2]

As of 2022, Zastava still produces modernized variants of the M57 with updated safety features - the M57A in its original chambering and the M70A in 9mm Parabellum.

History

Designed in the mid-1950s, the M57 was an unlicensed copy of the Soviet TT-33 Tokarev.[2] The Yugoslav People's Army had initially attempted to adopt the TT as its standard service pistol after World War II, and a number were delivered by the Soviet Union.[2] However, the Tito–Stalin split prompted the Soviet government to cease military aid to Yugoslavia before deliveries of the pistol were fully completed.[2] In 1952, Zastava was charged with developing its own variant of the TT to satisfy the army's needs.[3] Zastava's engineers were able to reverse engineer the weapon by 1954.[2] However, its factory was already at capacity manufacturing rifles and submachine guns, and it was unable to open a new production line to produce the TT.[3] The project was shelved until 1956, when army officials again expressed interest in the TT design.[2] Work on an improved TT derivative began in earnest in 1957, and the first prototypes appeared in 1960.[2] The Zastava pistol was formally designated M57 and accepted for service in 1961.[2] Although the army took delivery of various pre-production models that year, serial production was delayed until 1963.[2]

Zastava manufactured the M57 from 1963 until 1982, at which time at least 260,000 had been produced.[3] It was retired from military service in the former Yugoslavia during the late 1990s and early 2000s, being largely superseded by the Zastava CZ99.[2]

Design details

In 1954, Zastava initially unveiled a handgun that was an identical copy of the original TT-33.[3] However, between 1957 and 1960, a number of modifications to the Soviet design were made.[2] The most noticeable difference is that the M57 was designed with a larger magazine that has a capacity of nine rounds as opposed to the TT-33's eight.[3] The M57 was also fitted with a magazine safety, reducing the likelihood of an accidental discharge while the magazine is being removed.[3] Zastava engineers added a dovetailed front sight that may be adjusted for windage, and the top of the weapon's slide is serrated to reduce glare.[3] There were a few minor internal changes as well, including a unique Zastava firing pin and a captive recoil spring to simplify disassembly.[3]

Users

Former users

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zastava M57.

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c "Vintage Weapons In a Modern War: The TT-33 Pistol In Ukraine". The Armourer's Bench. Beaverton. 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Sof, Eric (7 January 2023). "Zastava M57: The Yugoslavian-Made Clone of the Legendary Soviet TT-33 Pistol". Spec Ops Magazine. Dover. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Thompson, Leroy (2022). Soviet Pistols: Tokarev, Makarov, Stechkin and others. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. pp. 65–67. ISBN 978-1472853486.
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