Tabuk Sniper Rifle The Tabuk Sniper Rifle is an Iraqi designated marksman ' s rifle , made from a modified version of the Zastava M70 assault rifle , itself a variant of the AKM . The Tabuk Rifle , like all the AKM and Dragunov SVD derivatives made in Iraq , was manufactured at the Al - Qadissiya Establishments using machinery sold to Iraq by Zastava Arms of Yugoslavia , at a time when power was still firmly in the hands of Saddam Hussein . Background . Zastava Arms of Yugoslavia originally developed this rifle from its experience in making its M70 rifles ( a variant of the AKM with some minor differences from the original ) , particularly the M76 . All of the rifles in the M70 series share what is traditionally considered an RPK style receiver , that is the receiver is made with a thicker gauge of sheet metal formed over a larger and heavier trunnion . While this does add to weight , it has a positive effect on durability which is why the modification came about . The Yugoslavian version of the RPK , the M72 , is a longer barreled member of the M70 family and is the weapons upon which the Tabuk is based . The barrel length of the Iraqi Tabuk rifle is 23 . 6 " – slightly longer & thinner than a Yugoslavian M72 barrel , but much longer than a traditional AKM or the M70 ( 16 . 25 " ) . The Tabuk , like the M72 , has a provision for muzzle attachments in the typical Russian thread pattern of 14x1mm left hand thread , which means that it can accept several variations of Soviet flash hiders and muzzle brakes , as well as Soviet designed sound suppression devices . Design Details . The differences between the Tabuk and the Yugoslavian M72 are few ; the semi - auto - only mechanism of the Tabuk is not a visually obvious difference , but is perhaps the most important . This feature dictates the rifle ' s role as one of precision fire and not suppressive fire . It is also important as it prevents lesser individuals from subjecting the barrel of a rifle intended for precision to full - auto fire , which would shorten that rifle ' s useful life . A more visible difference is the much lighter barrel fitted to the Tabuk . The M72 ' s barrel is finned at the rear near the hand guards and is far heavier than that of the Tabuk ( or that of a standard AKM ) . The thickness of the M72 ' s barrel exists to facilitate heat distribution via mass and cooling via surface area . Since the option to fire full - auto has been omitted ( and it is not typical of eastern bloc long range precision rifles to use heavy barrels for accuracy ) the Tabuk , like the SVD and the PSL , has a relatively light barrel . The Tabuk differs from the M72 in some other ways . It has provision for mounting optics , though this is not an unusual accessory on eastern bloc weapons , and it has a skeletonized buttstock with a cheek piece . A third difference , and perhaps the most important ( though not definitive ) visual cue when identifying the Tabuk , is the conspicuous lack of a bipod . The M72 ' s bipod , which is not detachable from the M72 ( though sometimes removed by undisciplined troops ) , is quite obvious from afar when attached . It was likely removed from the Tabuk design to enhance mechanical accuracy and reduce weight , though had it been retained it might have added useful stability ( practical accuracy ) for long range work . Since it is essentially an accurized , scoped M72 , the Tabuk is chambered for the M72 ' s primary caliber , 7 . 62×39 . This is advantageous as it allows the Tabuk to use the same magazines as the AKM , and AKM Magazines are well made , plentiful , and easy to replace if lost . Because the Tabuk is chambered for the Soviet M43 or 7 . 62×39mm cartridge , it cannot technically function as a sniper rifle ( by western standards ) . With a maximum effective range of only 600m ( based on trajectory ) , the Tabuk should instead be considered a designated marksman ' s rifle . That said , and considering the urban terrain upon which these rifles are typically fielded , this quibble is purely semantic . The Tabuk is , within its given range , every bit as effective as the Dragunov or PSL if used precisely . At the far end of its effective range it is decidedly less lethal than its higher velocity counterparts due to the round ' s combination of stability and low velocity , giving it less reach than the 7 . 62x54R caliber SVD . It visually resembles an RPK , which may make identifying enemy snipers more difficult . Likewise , its acoustic signature mimics that of an AKM .