The once close political ties between China and the Soviet Union led to closer military ties. As a result, much of the Chinese stockpile came from the Soviet Union, so local licensed production of some weapons ended up taking place in different locations.
The Type 79 semi-automatic sniper rifle is one of the direct Chinese replicas of the Soviet product, it is in all respects the Soviet SVD series in Chinese camouflage. The Army of the People's Republic of China received the first SVD rifles from the Soviet production line, some of which were probably made in China using the kits provided.
Like the Soviet model, the Type 79 holds the Russian 7.62x54R cartridge and is fed from a 10-round detachable magazine. Externally, the Type 79 shares the same lines as the original Soviet design, including its hollow stock, wooden furniture and durable barrel assembly. The stock is integrated into the pistol grip, and the trigger assembly is directly in front, containing the curved trigger assembly. In front of the trigger is the magazine advance, managed by the magazine release/receiver directly in the stern.
The charging handle and ejection port are in the traditional location of the metal receiver. The gun is pneumatic, so a gas cylinder sits above the barrel, although it is wrapped around the perforated wooden front end. The barrel is covered by a slotted flash suppressor and a front iron sight. The optics are attached to the top of the receiver in the usual way. Standard oscilloscopes have 4x magnification and infrared detection capabilities.
But again, this is a direct replica of the Soviet PSO scope design, without anything new to add.
Although the Type 79 was largely similar to the Soviet design in most respects, it contained some subtle notable features that set it apart from the Russian design. Mainly, the overall dimensions of the Type 79 were different, but that was to be expected considering the Chinese production compared to the Soviet production line at the time.
Additionally, the Type 79 has proven to be a viable rifle and a decent replica of the original - certainly a more budget-conscious approach to the evolving (and modernizing) Chinese military.
The Type 79 is no longer in active production. Some late production models are for the .308 Winchester rifle cartridge.
The Type 85 was offered as a modified variant - another SVD artillery of indigenous Chinese design. CS/LR19 becomes an improved version.
- Frontline/Attack
- remote precision
1,225 mm (48.23 in)
620 mm (24.41 in)
3.72 kg
Adjustable iron; optional optics
Gas powered; rotating bolt
2,330 ft/s (710 m/s)
2,624 ft (800 m; 875 yd)
Model 79 - Basic Series Names
Type 85 - an improved design based on the Type 79
CS/LR19 - Improved variant
NSG-85 - Export variant