Strojnica ERO: A Croatian clone of UZI submachine gun

Eric Sof

ERO is Croatian submachine gun chambered in 9x19 mm and based on Israeli UZI

Strojnica ERO is a submachine gun produced in Croatia during the Croatian war for independence. It is an exact clone of the world’s famous Israel’s UZI submachine gun. It was manufactured in 1992 by Koncar Arma Grupa d.o.o company in Zagreb.

Design

Strojnica ERO, as you may assume, works on the same principle as the UZI. It is a blowback-operated 9×19 mm submachine gun identical to the Uzi in function, utilizing a wrap-around bolt and grip magazine feed. Although it is a clone of the UZI, it was manufactured to be used on the battlefield and specially adapted for the Special Forces’ use. The group of experts and innovators from the Arma Grupa adapted Strojnica ERO to close combat.

The Uzi s a family of Israeli open-bolt, blowback-operated submachine guns
The Uzi s a family of Israeli open-bolt, blowback-operated submachine guns (Photo: XY)

This SMG has small dimensions, but it is pretty heavy for such a weapon. It weighs 3.73 kg (8.2 lb) because it was entirely made from steel stampings. The major difference between ERO and UZI is the selector switch, which is marked R (Rafalno {“burst”}, for full-automatic fire), P (Pojedinačno, for single-shot) and Z (Zaključan,{locked}, for safe) and its rate of fire is 650 rounds per minute.

It uses the 32-round magazine as standard but can use any 9mm Uzi-interface magazine of 25 rounds or larger.

Strojnica Mini-ERO

It is a clone of the Micro UZI, but still, it is different. Strojnica Mini-ERO had a folding buttstock in the form of a heavy-gauge folding wire similar to the Yugoslavian-made M84 Skorpion (based on Czechoslovakian SAMOPAL Vz. 61 Skorpion Machine Pistol). Like the ERO, it is also chambered in 9×19 mm caliber.

The barrel is mounted inside the casing, reducing the weapon’s overall length. The barrel length is 125 mm and has a closed bolt compared to its original counterpart. The charging handle is located on the top of the receiver cover, and it is used to retract the bolt. The fire regulator is located at the top of the handle. There are two modes, single and burst.

Mini-ERO is a smaller version of Croatian submachine gun ERO manufactured in 1992
Mini-ERO is a smaller version of the Croatian submachine gun ERO manufactured in 1992 (Photo: XY)

The weight of the Mini-ERO is 2.2 kg (4.85 lb) empty. The length is 545.5 mm (21.47 in) with the folding stock extended and only 250 mm (9.84 in) with the stock folded. It uses standard Micro UZI magazine (32 rounds). Mini-Ero is suitable for easy mounting additional equipment such as silencer or laser sighting device. The sights on the weapon have two positions: 100 meters and 200 meters.

Technical specifications

Country of origin:Croatia
Manufacturer:Koncar Arma Grupa d.o.o.
Designed:1992
Service:1992-present
Type:blowback operated, open bolt, selective fire
Caliber: 9×19 mm
Barrel:10.2 in (259 mm)
Weight (empty):7.72 lbs (3.5 kg)
Effective firing range:200 m
Rate of fire:650 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity:32 rounds magazine

Both versions, Strojnica ERO, and Strojnica Mini-ERO, are still used by Croatian law enforcement forces.