NORINCO Type 80

History of NORINCO Type 80

Before the Sino-Soviet split (1960-1989), the close military ties between the Chinese military and the Soviet Union meant that the Chinese military used many Soviet-origin/ Soviet-influenced weapon. This allowed a thriving local industry to establish itself in China, for which many Soviet weapons were produced.

Such was the case with the NORINCO Type 80 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), which was nothing more than a copy of the Soviet-derived PK series - or more precisely the 1969 PKM model series.

The Type 80 is seen as a viable replacement for the locally developed Type 67 machine gun family. However, this weapon has not been adopted on a large scale by China, as the Type 67 is still considered a viable battlefield solution.

This has resulted in limited adoption of the 80-style in Chinese circles.

Design work took place in the early 1980s, leading to the system's official launch in 1983 and today (2016), maintaining a relatively small global footprint - Chinese special forces as well as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka armies carry Type take Over service. Croatian police were another operator of the weapon, but discontinued the line sometime in the 1990s.

Like most Soviet-inspired designs, the Type 80's chamber fires a 7.62x54mmR rifle cartridge which has good penetration at range - a proven enemy suppressor of course . As a true GPMG, the weapon is fed by a 100-, 200- or 250-round supply of chain belt ammunition. The action is gas-operated, has an open-bolt design, and is fully automatic.

The rate of fire is specified at 700 to 800 rounds per minute, with a muzzle velocity of 2,775 feet per second and a range of up to 1,640 yards. Aiming was carried out with open iron fittings, although optics were eventually supported for range accuracy as well as night operation.

Specification

Base

Year of Operation

1983

Origins

China

Categories

General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)

Manufacturer

China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) China

Operators

Bangladesh;Cambodia;Croatia;China;Iraq;Malta;Sri Lanka;Syria;Thailand

Roles

Fire Support

Ability to suppress enemy elements at a distance using direct or indirect fire.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,192 mm

46.93 inches

Barrel length

658mm

25. 91 inches

Cured weight

27.56 lbs

12.50 kg

Attractions

Open iron; optional optics

Action

Gas powered; open bolt; fully automatic fire; tape feed

Automatic

Bullets are automatically ejected from the breech, new bullets are removed from the chuck and inserted into the chamber, and the bullets will fire continuously as long as the trigger is pulled and ammunition is supplied.

Gas Power

proposes a pneumatic system that typically consists of a cylinder and a rear drive piston that directs power to the bolt assembly.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

7. 62x54mmR

Circle/Feed

100, 200 or 250 round belt

POWER

Maximum efficiency. Arrived

4,920 feet

(1,500m | 1,640m)

Rate of fire

750

Number of revolutions

Mile speed

2,775 ft/s

(846 m/s)

VARIANTS

Type 80 Model of the basic series; replica of the Soviet PK/PKM machine gun. Type 86 - A modified/modernized machine gun for the Chinese Army. CF-06 (CS/LM4) - Export version; 2008 model. BD-14 - Model made in Bangladesh (Model 80)