Type_77_heavy_machine_gun

Type 77 heavy machine gun

Type 77 heavy machine gun

Heavy machine gun

This article is about the Type 85 (Type 77) heavy machine gun. For another PLA machine gun with a similar name, see W85 heavy machine gun.

The Type 77 heavy machine gun or Type 85 is a Chinese 12.7×108mm heavy machine gun featuring an indigenous design.[1]

Quick Facts Place of origin, Service history ...

History

During the mid-1970s, China decided to develop a lighter 12.7 mm machine gun to replace the Type 54 (indigenous DShK) that was more suited for mobile anti-aircraft applications. The weapon was adopted in 1977 and mass production commenced in 1980. To save weight the Type 77 used a hybrid short-recoil and direct gas impingement operated action,[2] somewhat unusual for a machine gun, resulting in few moving parts and a long and slim, tubular receiver. Overall weight of the gun and tripod comes to about 56 kg (120 lb), less than half that of a mounted Type 54/DShK, though it retains the same locking system and belt feed.

The barrel is also thinner as light weight was favored over volume of fire, which causes it to overheat faster, with a prominent "pepperpot" muzzle brake. It has iron sights and a mount for a low-magnification optical sight suitable for engaging ground and air targets. The gun also has a large charging handle below the receiver, shoulder stock, and fires from an open bolt.[3][4]

Variants

Type 85 heavy machine gun

Military designation QJG-85. Five years after the Type 77 entered service, it was replaced in production by the updated Type 85 heavy machine gun. An evolution on the Type 77, it used a more conventional muzzle brake and replaced the spade grips and separate cocking handle with horizontal grips and a sliding trigger unit, the entirety of which is moved forward and back to cock the gun. The gun and tripod were also lighter, weighing 24 kg (53 lb) and 17.5 kg (39 lb) respectively. Both weapons can be mounted on vehicles.[3][4]

Users

Non-State Actors

See also

References

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    "Sudan - Global trade, local impact: Arms Transfers to all Sides in the Civil War in Sudan" (PDF). Human Rights Watch Report. 10 (4): 25. August 1998.
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    Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (20 September 2015). "The Oryx Handbook of Pre-war Yemeni Fighting Vehicles". Oryx.
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    "Syrie: Liwa al-Mutasim, le groupe rebelle qui a lié son sort à la Turquie contre le régime d'Assad et les djihadistes". France Soir (in French). 25 October 2017.
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    "Conflit syrien: les rebelles de la division Sultan Mourad, fer de lance de la Turquie en Syrie". France Soir (in French). 24 March 2017.
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    "Bataille de Mossoul: aux abois dans la deuxième ville d'Irak, Daech appelle ses partisans à commettre des attentats en Occident". France Soir (in French). 1 June 2017.
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    "Etat islamique et chars d'assaut: comment les djihadistes emploient leurs blindés en Irak et en Syrie". France Soir (in French). 2 February 2017.
  16. [16]
    Small Arms Survey (2005). "Sourcing the Tools of War: Small Arms Supplies to Conflict Zones". Small Arms Survey 2005: Weapons at War. Oxford University Press. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-19-928085-8. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 9, 2010.
  17. [17]
    "TDF in ACTION". Assena TV. Sep 26, 2022.
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