M56 submachine gun

The M56 submachine gun is a Yugoslavian submachine gun chambered in 7.62×25mm Tokarev, designed for use with the Yugoslav People's Army. Initially a state-funded product, it was later produced by Zastava Arms and saw use in a number of conflicts following the breakup of former Yugoslavia. The M56 is based on the MP 40 submachine gun captured from Nazi Germany, easily distinguished from the MP 40 by its increased length and curved magazine.[2]

Crvena Zastava Automat M56
TypeSubmachine gun
Place of originSFR Yugoslavia
Service history
In service1961–Present
Used bysee users
WarsVietnam War
Yom Kippur War
Lebanese Civil War
Gulf War
Yugoslav Wars[1]
Production history
Designed1955–1959
ManufacturerCrvena Zastava
Produced1960–1975
No. built88,998
Specifications
Mass3 kg (6.61 lb)
Length870 mm (34.3 in) stock extended / 591 mm (23.3 in) stock folded
Barrel length250 mm (9.8 in)
Cartridge7.62×25mm Tokarev
ActionStraight blowback, open bolt
Rate of fire600 rounds/min
Effective firing range200 m
Feed system32-round detachable box magazine
SightsFront blade, flip-up rear iron sights

Inexpensive and simple to produce and maintain, the M56 also proved to be quite effective at range over its German counterpart due to its 7.62×25mm cartridge having significantly higher velocity than the 9×19mm round used by the MP 40.

Internally the M56 lacks the telescoping recoil spring found in the MP 40. The magazine release also differs and is located directly behind the magazine instead of on the side of the receiver on the MP 40. The M56 also uses a double feed magazine (similarly to the Soviet PPS) contrary to the single feed magazines used on the MP 40. The M56 has a fire selector switch allowing the operator to fire in either semi or fully automatic which the MP 40 did not have. Disassembly also differed with the gun being taken apart via a rear end cap, separating the lower and upper receivers while the MP 40 this was accomplished by a button on the lower receiver located behind the magazine well. Another change from the MP 40 is that the M56 lacks the Bakelite resting bar below the barrel on the MP 40.

Users

References
  1. de Quesada, Alejandro (2014). MP 38 and MP 40 Submachine Guns. Osprey Publishing. p. 64. ISBN 978-1780963884.
  2. "Modern Firearms - M56 submachine gun". Archived from the original on 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
  3. Mtonga, Robert; Mthembu-Salter, Gregory (1 October 2004). "Country study: Zambia" (PDF). Hide and Seek: Taking Account of Small Arms in Southern Africa. p. 285.
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