Zastava M57

{{Infobox weapon |name=Zastava M57 | image= Tokarev M57 Yugoslavian 7.62x25mm G77658 L DSC7776.jpg |image_size=300px |alt= |caption=The M57 with a loaded 9-round magazine. |origin=Yugoslavia |type=Semi-automatic pistol  |is_ranged=Yes |is_bladed= |is_explosive= |is_artillery= |is_vehicle= |is_missile= |is_UK=  |service=1961–1992 (Yugoslavia) |used_by=Yugoslav People's Army |wars=Vietnam War Persian Gulf War Internal resistance to apartheid<ref name=MK1>{{cite book|last1=Luthuli|first1=Daluxolo|last2=Bopela|first2=Thula|title=Umkhonto We Siswe: Fighting for a Divided People|date=2005|pages=60, 113|publisher=Galago Publishing Company|location=Alberton|isbn=978-1919854168}}</ref> Yugoslav Wars Russian invasion of Ukraine<ref name="AB">{{cite web |title=Vintage Weapons In a Modern War: The TT-33 Pistol In Ukraine |author= |url=https://armourersbench.com/2023/03/26/vintage-weapons-in-a-modern-war-the-tt-33-pistol-in-ukraine/ |work=The Armourer's Bench |location=Beaverton |date=26 March 2023 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019015207/http://armourersbench.com/2023/03/26/vintage-weapons-in-a-modern-war-the-tt-33-pistol-in-ukraine/ |archive-date=19 October 2023}}</ref>  |designer=Zastava Arms |design_date=1957<ref name="Sof">{{cite news |title=Zastava M57: The Yugoslavian-Made Clone of the Legendary Soviet TT-33 Pistol |last=Sof |first=Eric |url=https://special-ops.org/zastava-m57-a-yugoslavian-version-of-tt-pistol/ |work=Spec Ops Magazine |location=Dover |date=7 January 2023 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205081049/https://special-ops.org/zastava-m57-a-yugoslavian-version-of-tt-pistol/ |archive-date=5 February 2023}}</ref> |manufacturer=Zastava Arms |unit_cost= |production_date=1963–1982<ref name=Thompson>{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=Leroy|title=Soviet Pistols: Tokarev, Makarov, Stechkin and others|date=2022|pages=65–67|publisher=Osprey Publishing|location=Oxford|isbn=978-1472853486}}</ref> |number= 260,000–270,000<ref name=Thompson/> |variants=See ''Variants''  |spec_label= |weight={{convert|854|g|abbr=on}} |length={{convert|194|mm|in|abbr=on}} |part_length={{convert|116|mm|abbr=on|1}} |width= |height={{convert|134|mm|abbr=on|1}} |diameter= |crew= |passengers=  |cartridge=7.62×25mm Tokarev |cartridge_weight= |caliber= |barrels= |action=Short recoil actuated, locked breech, single action |rate= |velocity={{convert|480|m/s|0|abbr=on}} |range=50 m |max_range= |feed=9-round detachable box magazine |sights=Front blade, rear notch {{convert|156|mm|abbr=on|1}} 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.<ref name="Sof"/> The M57 was an unlicensed derivative of the Soviet TT pistol, with a number of modifications, namely a longer grip and a slightly larger magazine.<ref name="AB"/> Zastava reverse engineered the Soviet TT in 1954, and began serial production of the weapon type as the M57 in 1963.<ref name="Sof"/>

As of 2021, Zastava still produced modernized variants of the M57 with updated safety features: the '''M57A''' in its original chambering and the '''M70A''' in 9mm Parabellum.<ref name="Borisenko">{{cite news |title=Zastava M57 and M70A: The Yugoslavian Tokarevs |last=Borisenko |first=Adam |url=https://gundigest.com/gun-reviews/military-firearms-reviews/zastava-m57-and-m70a-the-yugoslavian-tokarevs |work=The Gun Digest |location=Appleton, Wisconsin |date=28 May 2021 |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531043140/https://gundigest.com/gun-reviews/military-firearms-reviews/zastava-m57-and-m70a-the-yugoslavian-tokarevs |archive-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

==History== Designed in the mid-1950s, the M57 was an unlicensed copy of the Soviet TT-33 Tokarev.<ref name="Sof"/> 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.<ref name="Sof"/> However, the Tito–Stalin split prompted the Soviet government to cease military aid to Yugoslavia before deliveries of the pistol were fully completed.<ref name="Sof"/> In 1952, Zastava was charged with developing its own variant of the TT to satisfy the army's needs.<ref name=Thompson/> Zastava's engineers were able to reverse engineer the weapon by 1954, creating a faithful copy of the original TT.<ref name="Sof"/> However, its factory was already at capacity manufacturing rifles and submachine guns, and it was unable to open a new production line to produce a new handgun.<ref name=Thompson/>

The project was shelved until 1956, when army officials again expressed interest in the TT design.<ref name="Sof"/> Work on an improved TT derivative began in earnest in 1957, and the first prototypes appeared in 1960.<ref name="Sof"/> The Zastava pistol was formally designated M57 and accepted for service in 1961.<ref name="Sof"/> Although the army took delivery of various pre-production models that year, serial production was delayed until 1963.<ref name="Sof"/>

Zastava manufactured the M57 for the Yugoslavian state from 1963 until 1982, at which time at least 260,000 had been produced.<ref name=Thompson/> It was retired from military service in the former Yugoslavia during the late 1990s and early 2000s, being largely superseded by the Zastava CZ99.<ref name="Sof"/>

==Design== In 1954, Zastava initially unveiled a handgun that was an identical copy of the original TT-33.<ref name=Thompson/> However, between 1957 and 1960, a number of modifications to the Soviet design were made.<ref name="Sof"/> 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.<ref name=Thompson/> The M57 was also fitted with a magazine safety, reducing the likelihood of an accidental discharge while the magazine is being removed.<ref name=Thompson/>

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.<ref name=Thompson/> There were a few minor internal changes as well, including a unique Zastava firing pin and a captive recoil spring to simplify disassembly.<ref name=Thompson/>

==Variants== *'''M57''': Standard military version.<ref name="Borisenko"/> *'''M57A''': Commercial production model of the M57, with an added external slide safety.<ref name="Borisenko"/> *'''M70A''': Export variant of the M57 chambered for 9×19mm Parabellum and introduced in 1970.<ref name="Borisenko"/> *'''M70AA''': Commercial production model of the M70A, with an added external slide safety.<ref name="Borisenko"/>

==Users==  * {{flag|Croatia}}<ref name=Thompson/> * {{flag|Ukraine}}<ref name="AB"/>

===Former users=== * {{flagicon image|Flag of the Inkatha Freedom Party.svg}} Inkatha Freedom Party<ref name=MK1/> * {{flag|North Macedonia}}: Issued both the M57 and M70A concurrently as standard service pistols.<ref name="Macedonia1">{{cite news |title=Macedonia's Weaponry: A New Nation Re-Arms and Fights |author=|url=https://smallarmsreview.com/macedonias-weaponry-a-new-nation-re-arms-and-fights/ |work=Small Arms Review |location=Henderson, Nevada |date=1 October 2003 |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226121917/https://smallarmsreview.com/macedonias-weaponry-a-new-nation-re-arms-and-fights/ |archive-date=26 February 2024}}</ref> * {{flag|Serbia}}: Retired in the 2000s.<ref name="Sof"/> * {{flag|Yugoslavia}}<ref name="Sof"/>

==See also== {{commons category}} *TT pistol *Zastava M70 (.32 ACP/.380 ACP) *Zastava M88

==Notes and references== {{reflist}}

Category:Semi-automatic pistols of Serbia Category:Semi-automatic pistols of Yugoslavia Category:7.62×25mm Tokarev semi-automatic pistols Category:Zastava Arms Category:TT platform Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1957