Type 67

     Notes: The Type 67 was designed to replace a host of earlier Russian-designed machineguns.  The first Type 67s appeared in the early 1970s; some were even used by the North Vietnamese in the last stages of the Vietnam War.  The Type 67 is a hybrid (some would say a hodgepodge) of several other weapons, including the Maxim, Zb-26, DPM, RPD, and SG-43.  The mechanism is gas-operated, and the weapon is reputedly quite robust and reliable, but it was also quickly discovered that the Type 67 was simply too heavy for its intended role, which was as a squad automatic weapon, and it was changed to more of a GPMG role. 

     The Type 67 feeds from the right, and has a 23.9-inch quick-change barrel.  The Type 67 is equipped with a folding bipod and can be mounted on a tripod which is sort of a standard in the Chinese military and weighs 5.58 kg.  The Type 67 can also be placed upon an air-defense tripod with longer legs.  Standard sights consist of a protected front post and a rear leaf sight; the rear of the receiver also has dovetails for the mounting of an antiaircraft sight.  Two versions of the Type 67 exist: the older Type 67-1 (the original model) is constructed largely of heavy steel and has a wooden stock and pistol grip, while the newer Type 67-2C is constructed using more modern steels and is much lighter.  The Type 67-1 is typically used at the company and battalion levels, while the Type 67-2C is generally a platoon-level asset.

Type 75-1

     Notes: Normally employed as an antiaircraft gun, the Type 75-1 is a Chinese version of the KPV that has been lightened by using lighter metals and electrical components and smaller cooling fins on the barrel, as well as a lighter trailer/tripod combination which includes a battery to provide the electrical power for the firing of the gun.  The tripod/trailer also includes a small seat for the gunner as well as an antiaircraft sight.

     That said, the Type 75-1 was not considered a successful design by the Chinese military; since it was meant to be used by the infantry, the fact that it is still a quite large and heavy gun means that it is still too cumbersome for the role it was intended.

Type 77

     Notes: The Type 77 heavy machinegun is designed targets ranging from aircraft to personnel.  It is primarily meant for air defense, though it can also be used against ground targets.  The Type 77 is essentially a streamlined version of the DShK action, with modifications taking inspiration from several other weapons also being incorporated in the design. It uses a direct-impingement gas system similar to the action of the M-16 assault rifle, but of course on a much larger scale and greatly modified.  Ammunition feed is from the right.  The Type 77 can use the same tripod as the Type 85,  but is much more likely to be found on a special tripod which is adjustable for height to such a degree that it may be used as a ground mount from the prone position up to an antiaircraft mount from a crouched position.  (This tripod weighs about 20 kilograms; the light weight comes partially due to the tubular steel legs.)  The Type 77 is provided with a hooded post front sight and an adjustable tangent rear sight; the rear sight may be flipped up, revealing a circular antiaircraft sight which doubles as a leaf sight.  The barrel is 40.2 inches long, tipped with a huge pepperpot-type muzzle brake.  The Type 77 is fired using spade grips; no stock of any kind is provided.  The Chinese liberally supplied the Type 77 to the Mujahedeen in the 1980s after the Russian invasion of Afghanistan; these same weapons are now being used both by the new Afghan Army and the Taliban and Al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

     The Type 85 is a greatly-refined version of the Type 77; it is not only the successor to the Type 77 and DShK in Chinese service, one of its purposes is apparently to compete on the international market directly with other 12.7mm and .50-caliber-firing heavy machineguns. The Type 85 is a very light weapon for its role.  Liberal use of light alloys and more-advanced steels is made, leading to its lightweight construction. The Type 85 often incorporates a rudimentary stock and replaces the Type 77’s spade grips with a pistol grip that is offset to the right and doubles as a charging handle. The Type 85 can fire a new tungsten-cored APDS round, which has a similar effect to the .50 BMG SLAP round; the Type 85’s muzzle brake is designed to allow the use of this round and the Type 89 version can also fire the .50 Browning Machinegun SLAP round though its muzzle brake.  The muzzle brake itself is a new double-baffle design which is just as effective as the Type 77’s brake, but much simpler in design and cheaper, easier to produce, and more compact in size. The Type 85 also has a bracket to allow the use of night vision equipment or even a telescopic sight.  Despite the light weight, the Type 85 is still constructed largely of steel, though it is thinner steel of higher strength. It uses a fluted barrel almost 39.4 inches long. The Type 85 also has a bracket to allow the use of night vision equipment or even a telescopic sight. It uses a new lightweight tripod weighing 18.7 kg, and can also use the tripods used with newer versions of the DShK, or antiaircraft mounts used by most of the 12.7mm-firing machineguns in the world.  The tripod designed for use with the Type 85 has telescoping legs, allowing it to be used while the gunner is standing or as an antiaircraft mount.

     The Type 89 is essentially a smaller version of the Type 85, designed for heavy support for smaller units than the larger Type 85.  Though the Type 89 was designed to be used with a stock-and/or-pistol grip firing configuration like that of the Type 85, it is often seen with spade grips instead; this is a change that can be made quickly and easily by the average soldier (once the procedure is learned).  Reliability has also been increased, particularly in the area of case and belt-link ejection.  The Type 89 was designed to be a true infantry heavy machinegun, and uses many elements that are very different from those of the Type 85 (and its Type 88 tank machinegun version).  The Type 89 was designed to be fired from a lightweight tripod made of light alloy and weighing only 8.5 kilograms.  The barrel is slightly longer at almost 39.5 inches, and the muzzle brake, though still compact, is different.

     None of these machineguns are designed to be fired without a tripod or vehicle pintle mount (or in some case, an internal vehicular mount).

Type 80

     Notes: For the most part an improved Chinese copy of the Russian PKM, the Type 80 has some weight and dimension differences, but has improved recoil buffers and is lighter in weight.  The Type 80 can use the standard Pact Light Tripod, is but is more likely to be found on a tripod common in Chinese service with highly-extendible legs that allow it to be used anywhere from the prone position to a standing crouch for antiaircraft use.  (This tripod is quite light in weight, weighing only 4.72 kg.)  In addition to standard disintegrating-link belts, the Type 80 can be fed from a 50-round drum; feed is from the right in all cases.  A modification of the Type 80 is an almost universal coaxial armament on Chinese armored vehicles; it is known as the Type 59 in this guise.