Type 77 heavy machine gun

Type 77
Type Heavy machine gun
Place of origin China
Production history
Manufacturer Norinco
Produced 1977-
Specifications
Weight 28 kg (61.73 lb) (gun only)
28.3 kg (62.39 lb) (tripod)
Length 2,150 mm (84.6 in)
Barrel length 1,016 mm (40.0 in)
Cartridge 12.7×108mm
Action gas
Rate of fire 650-700 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 825 m/s
Feed system belt 60 rounds
Sights Iron/Optical

The Type 77 heavy machine gun is described as China’s first generation designed 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.[1]

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 direct gas impingement operated action, 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 break. 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.[2][3]

Just 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 break 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.[2][3]

Users

See also

References

  1. ↑ Type 77 heavy machine gun (PR China) Archived 2010-09-14 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. 1 2 Indigenous Machine Guns of China: Part Two – Heavy Machine Guns Small Arms Defense Journal. 25 May 2014.
  3. 1 2 Type 77 Weapon Systems.
  4. 1 2 3 Timothy Yan (2016-06-21). "These Are not the DShKs you're looking for: Part 2, the W85 Heavy Machine Gun". Guns & Tech. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
  5. ↑ Small Arms Survey (2005). "Sourcing the Tools of War: Small Arms Supplies to Conflict Zones" (PDF). Small Arms Survey 2005: Weapons at War. Oxford University Press. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-19-928085-8.
  6. ↑ "This Chinese weapons and hit play a leading role in Iraq on unmanned combat vehicles". Best China News. 2016-08-25. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  7. ↑ 伊拉克用中国技术造出战斗机器人 配合无人机专打狙击手
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