Engineering:Type 85 submachine gun

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Type 85 submachine gun
Type 85 submachine gun.jpg
TypeSubmachine gun
Place of originChina
Service history
In service1985–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
Designed1979-1983
ManufacturerChina North Industries Corporation
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass1.9 kg[1]
Cartridge7.62×25 mm Tokarev (Type 85)[2]
ActionBlowback-operated, open bolt
Feed system30-round box magazine
SightsRear sight notch

The Type 85 (Chinese: 1985年式衝鋒槍; pinyin: 1985 Niánshì Chōngfēng Qiāng; literally: '1985 Year Type Submachine Gun')[3] is a Chinese submachine gun, developed during the early 1980s as a less expensive replacement for the Type 79 submachine gun.[3] The weapon's silenced version was also developed to replace the Type 64 submachine guns in service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA).[2][4]

History

Design of the Type 85 started between 1979 and 1983 and it was classified in 1985.[5][6] Design work was done by the 208th Research Institute of China Ordnance Industry.[7] Type 85's design is simplistic and straight-forward, and ease-to-manufacture. During development, there was criticism of its appearance, and it earned nicknames like "toy gun" or "the master work of plumber"[3] in the Chinese military.[8] The Type 85 was eventually adopted to start replacing the Type 64 in PLA service.[9]

The development of the Type 85 was planned to eventually replace the Type 79 submachine gun in PLA service.[10] Type 79's service was rather disappointing due to its reliability issue. The development plan to replace the Type 79 was initiated in 1979.[3]

In January 1980, two prototypes were made for firearms testing.[7] In 1981, trials were conducted with the weapons being tested in combat trails with single and full auto modes used.[7] Initial feedback suggests that while handling was good, there are improvements that could be made.[7] Multiple state factories were reportedly competing for the order in 1983, with the design finalized around 1984. Problems encountered in early trials included excessive recoil, trigger sensitivity.[3]

With problems ironed out, the Type 85 was certified by the military in 1985.[3] It gradually replaced Type 79 in the Chinese military and received positive feedback due to its high reliability and simplicity in maintenance.[3]

Like Type 79, Type 85 was eventually phased out of service and put into the hands of Chinese police force. However, in a twisted fate, the militarily popular Type 85 was widely detested in the police force. This is largely due to its overly simplified open-bolt design, which attributes to Type 85's poor first-shot accuracy.[11]

Design

The Type 85 submachine gun is a simple blowback weapon that fires from an open bolt.[2] The weapon's mechanism was partially based on the Type 64.[4] Parts made for the regular and suppressed version are interchangeable, except for the barrels.[8]

The safety and fire mode selector lever is located at the right side of the trigger unit, above the trigger guard. The Type 85 allows for single shots and full automatic fire,[5] which is indicated in the receiver 0, 1 and 2.[8]

The weapon is optimized for special 7.62×25mm (Type 64) ammunition with heavy, subsonic bullets, but can also fire standard 7.62mm Type 51/7.62×25mm TT ammunition (with increased loudness).[2] There was a 5.8mm version being researched for potential adoption, but it was never adopted into service.[5]

The Type 85 SMG is fed using the same 30-round box magazines as the Type 64 SMG.[5] There is also a steel shoulder stock, which folds to the right side.[2][8]

Variants

Type 85 suppressed

A version of the Type 85 with an integral suppressor.[8] The barrel and sleeve were changed.[3]

Users

  •  China: Known to be used by Chinese special forces units.[5]
  •  Comoros: With Comoran soldiers involved in the 2008 invasion of Anjouan.[12]
  •  Tanzania: With Tanzanian soldiers involved in the 2008 invasion of Anjouan.[12]

Non-State Actors

  • Tamil Tigers: LTTE Black Tiger commandos used suppressed Type 85s during the attack on Anuradhapura Air Force Base.[13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "国产微冲诞生记--中国冲锋枪发展历程(图)". http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2002-07-15/0817635469.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Type 85" (in en). 2010-10-27. https://modernfirearms.net/en/submachine-guns/china-submachine-guns/tip-85-eng/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "85式轻型冲锋枪 ——〖枪炮世界〗". 2013-09-01. http://firearmsworld.net/china/smg/85/85.htm. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "中國新式7.62mm85式微聲沖鋒槍". 2008-05-31. http://www.people.com.cn/BIG5/junshi/63/20021008/837316.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Type 85 7.62mm Submachine Gun - SinoDefence.com". 2007-08-19. http://www.sinodefence.com/army/small_arms/type85smg.asp. 
  6. ↑ "Top 5 Submachine Guns Used by China's Military and Police" (in en-US). 2015-01-12. https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/top-5-submachine-guns-china/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "85式轻型冲锋枪研制始末 - 全刊杂志网|免费电子杂志在线阅读". 2013-05-17. http://qkzz.net/article/73469b55-2090-4c64-9909-543fce8d553e.htm. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "详解中国二代轻武器代表作：85系列冲锋枪(图)_新浪军事_新浪网". 2011-08-30. http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2006-09-07/0732395991.html. 
  9. ↑ "Historical Firearms - Type 64 Suppressed Submachine Gun...". https://www.historicalfirearms.info/post/141455761954/type-64-suppressed-submachine-gun. 
  10. ↑ "罕见的导气式冲锋枪，中国已经用了40年，为何至今仍是战斗主力？" (in zh). https://www.sohu.com/a/331400025_99913295. 
  11. ↑ "85冲锋枪为解放军淘汰79冲锋枪而生，为何被警察普遍厌恶？". https://www.163.com/dy/article/H07DL8K8051597E8.html. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "1985年式微声冲锋枪" (in zh). http://pewpewpew.work/china/smg/85/85sil.htm. 
  13. ↑ "LTTE's Rare Infantry Weapons". 2021-02-16. http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2007/11/lttes-rare-infantry-weapons.html. 



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