M56

Description

The Yugoslavian M56 at first glance is near identical to the World War Two German MP40 with it’s folding stock, pistol grip and tubular receiver, however on closer inspection, they are significantly different.

Designed after the war, the Yugoslav military was seeking a locally manufactured SMG to replace its wartime PPSh-41’s, PPS-43’s and captured MP40’s (all used by partisans fighting the occupying Germans), which for obvious reasons were designed to be manufactured at great speed and at low cost. Now that the war had ended, time could be spent refining these designs and where possible upgrading to machined/milled components as opposed to pressed/stamped steel.

Unlike the MP40, the M56 is chambered for the Soviet 7.62×25mm Tokarev cartridge and utilizes a curved box magazine, which looks like the PPS-43 magazine, but is not interchangeable.

The M56 remained in service with Yugoslav forces throughout the Cold War and often made appearances during the 1991-2001 Yugoslav Wars with militias/irregular forces.