QJZ-89
Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) · Machine Gun · In Service · 1989
Also known as: Type 89 HMG, Type 89 Heavy Machine Gun, QJG89
Overview
The QJZ-89 (Type 89) is a Chinese 12.7x108mm heavy machine gun developed by Norinco and adopted by the People's Liberation Army in 1989 to replace the older Type 54 (DShK copy) and Type 77 HMGs. Engineered with extreme weight reduction as the central design goal, the QJZ-89 weighs only 17.5 kg for the gun body and 8.5 kg for its tripod - a combined 26 kg system that is dramatically lighter than the comparable Russian NSV (25 kg gun + 16 kg tripod) or the modernized Kord (32 kg with bipod). To achieve this weight reduction, Norinco engineers employed a hybrid operating system uncommon in machine guns and more typical of autocannon design: gas operation unlocks the rotating bolt, while short recoil drives the feed cycle and absorbs peak chamber pressures, dramatically reducing the structural mass required in the receiver. The weapon feeds from a 50-round disintegrating belt and accepts standard 12.7x108mm Chinese ammunition including DGJ02 armor-piercing-incendiary, DGE02 multi-purpose, and DGY02 tracer rounds. The QJZ-89 fills both the anti-materiel and light anti-aircraft roles for PLA infantry units.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 17500 g (617.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1640 mm (64.57") |
| Barrel Length | 1003 mm (39.49") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 50 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 850 m/s (2789 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 17340 J (12789 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 525 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 8 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 12.7x108mm · primary — also known as 12.7mm Soviet, .50 Russian
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Disintegrating Belt, 50 Round Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Hybrid Short Recoil Gas Unlock, Muzzle Brake, Quick Change Barrel, Tripod Mounted, Iron Sights, Over Receiver Optic Compatible, Anti Aircraft Capable, Anti Materiel Capable
Variants
- QJZ-89 Naval Mount — Naval Pintle Mount
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army · adopted 1989 · as Type 89 HMG
- Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
- Mongolian Armed Forces
Production
Production years: 1989-present
Standard 12.7mm HMG of the PLA infantry; exact production numbers not openly published
Origin
Country of origin: China
Designer: Norinco design bureau
Notes
Reportedly criticized within PLA service for excessive felt recoil - a direct consequence of the weight-reduction design philosophy. The hybrid gas-and-recoil operating system is unusual in machine gun design and was selected specifically to minimize peak forces transmitted to the mount. A naval pedestal-mount variant exists for use on smaller PLAN vessels. Some sources give the gun-body weight as 18.5 kg.
Background
The QJZ-89 holds an unofficial record as the lightest 12.7mm heavy machine gun in service anywhere in the world - a Chinese design priority born of the rough Tibetan and mountainous terrain where PLA infantry would have to hand-carry the weapon up cliffs that vehicles could not reach. To get there, Norinco engineers borrowed a recoil-and-gas hybrid action more often seen in 20mm autocannons, accepting a famously punishing recoil impulse as the price of portability.