Type 81
Summary
| Country | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Assault rifle |
| Manufacturer | China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) |
Technical specifications
| Type 81 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 650 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 7.62 x 39 mm |
| Magazine | 30 - 75 rounds |
| Length | 955 mm (37.6 in) |
| Weight | 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) |
| Range | 500 m (1640 ft) |
Description
The Type 81 is a Chinese-designed, gas-operated, selective-fire 7.62×39mm assault rifle. Developed as an improvement and a replacement for both the Type 56 and Type 63 assault rifles, it replaced the semi-automatic Type 56 carbine as the standard service rifle of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) during the 1980s. The 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War exposed the limitations of the Type 56 carbine and Type 56 assault rifle, prompting the development of a more modern service rifle incorporating features of both weapons. Introduced into PLA service in 1981, it did not become widely distributed until the late 1980s, succeeding where the Type 63 had failed. Though most have been replaced by the Type 95 or Type 03 series, the Type 81 remains in service in reserves and with armed police units. The Type 87 variant served as a testing platform for the PLA's new 5.8x42mm firearms. A version is used by the Bangladesh Army under the designation BD-08.
The Type 81 incorporates elements of the Dragunov, SKS, and AK series of rifles. Design criteria included an accuracy of 1.78 in (4.5 cm) R50 at 100 m (330 ft), improved controllability in full-automatic fire, the same reliability as the AK series but with a longer service life of approximately 20,000 rounds, and the ability to use AK and SKS production tooling. Wang Zi Jun led the development after 1979. The rifle retains the general layout of the AK-47 and Type 56 assault rifles, but it utilizes an SKS-like short-stroke gas-piston design and other improvements to reduce recoil and muzzle jump, enhancing accuracy.
Notable physical differences from the Type 56 assault rifle include the stock, action length, bayonet, and front sight positioning. The most easily distinguishable feature is the more exposed muzzle. The front sight was moved back to enable the firing of 22mm rifle grenades slid over the unobstructed barrel muzzle, which is formed into a spigot-type launcher. A horizontal crossbar was added to cover the rear sight notch to mitigate glare encountered on the Type 56, creating a T-shaped aperture usable as a makeshift rear aperture. There is a significant gap between the trigger guard and the magazine. The non-detachable bayonet of its predecessors was replaced with the detachable Type 81 knife-bayonet. The Type 81 is a family of weapons including the:
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Type 81 with fixed stock
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Type 81-1 with side-folding stock (both 7.62×39mm caliber with 30-round magazines)
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Type 81 light machine gun (LMG) fitted with a 75-round drum magazine for the squad automatic weapon role.
The LMG's sight remains at the front of the barrel. The Type 81 can be fitted with a Picatinny rail, bipod, foregrip, and flashlight.
Domestic variants include: the initial Type 81 with a fixed wooden stock; the main production Type 81-1 with a side-folding stock that replaced the Type 81 and features bakelite stock panels holding a cleaning kit; and the Type 81 LMG resembling the RPK, which relocated the front sight to the muzzle for improved sight radius after removing the grenade spigot. The Type 87 served as a development platform for 5.8×42mm ammunition with plastic furniture and an L-shaped folding stock. Finalized in 1987, it never went into full-scale production, being replaced by the Type 87A. The Type 87A/QBZ87, a facelift of the Type 87 developed between 1987-1989 ("Project 8910"), features polymer furniture. It saw limited production beginning in 1989, serving with PLA special forces. The Type 87 LMG/QJB87 is a prototype LMG based on the Type 87 design. The Type 81 Tactical is an unofficial tactical upgrade package used by the PAP with picatinny rails. The NAR-10, marketed by Norinco in 2014, is a 7.62×51mm battle rifle with a Picatinny-railed dust cover, quadrail handguard, and muzzle brake, with the rear sight moved to the back of the dust cover. The CS/LR-14 is the export designation for the NAR-10. The Type 81A is an upgraded variant with a new stock and Picatinny rails shown in 2018.
Civilian export variants for the U.S. market included early semi-automatic models like the T81S (fixed stock), T81S-1 (side-folder), and T81S-2 (under-folder), of which only 20 T81S were imported before importation was blocked. These featured removed military features and a flag safety. The EM355 (5.56×45mm variant of T81S), EM356 (with side-folder), and EM3511 (with under-folder) were limited prototypes intended for the U.S. market that were also banned from import, with the EM355 variants lacking magazines and requiring modified AK magazines. The Norinco M313 is a semi-automatic Type 81 LMG variant intended for the U.S. market, imported in small numbers before being banned. The Norinco M313A is a straight-pull bolt-action hunting model based on the M313 with simplified sights and a thumbhole stock, accepting 5 or 8-round AK pattern magazines. The Norinco M313B is a semi-automatic hunting model based on the M313 with a thumbhole stock but retaining LMG sights and upper handguard, also accepting 5 or 8-round AK pattern magazines. For the Canadian market, the T81SA is a semi-automatic 7.62×39mm variant with an 18.7-inch barrel for regulatory compliance, adding an extra gas ring segment to the spigot. The T81-1SA is a T81SA with a side-folding stock. The T81SA LMG is a semi-automatic Type 81 LMG variant with a 20.5-inch barrel. The Type 81SR is a commercial semi-automatic variant sold in Canada featuring the heavy profile, 20.5-inch LMG barrel and front sight, an SVD-style stock, and a lighter trigger. The Type 81M is another commercial semi-automatic variant sold in Canada with the heavy profile LMG barrel shortened to 18.7 inches, LMG front sight, a lower handguard with an additional finger groove, and the removal of the rear sight crossbar. The Type 81M Underfolder is a Type 81M with an under-folding stock. Foreign licensed production includes the BD-08 in Bangladesh. In Myanmar, the Kachin Independence Army produces variants dubbed the M23, which use polymer furniture and have models like the K09 (black/plum polymer), K010 (green polymer), and K011 (45mm grenade launcher). The United Wa State Army also produces Type 81s.
The Type 81 saw primary service in the mid to late 1980s during the height of the Sino-Vietnamese border conflicts. Its first combat use occurred during the latter part of these conflicts.
State users include: Bangladesh (BD-08), China (second-line units), Gabon, Guinea (Army and Navy), Iraq (Police), Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Niger (Armed Forces, including machine guns), Nigeria (licensed production), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria (Arab Army, captured), Tajikistan (equipped since 2014), and Uganda.
Non-state users include: the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Kachin Independence Army, Lord's Resistance Army, Tamil Tigers, United Wa State Army, United Liberation Front of Assam, and People's Defence Force.