T65
205th Arsenal, Combined Logistics Command · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 1976
Also known as: Type 65, T65 Rifle
Overview
The T65 is a Taiwanese 5.56x45mm gas-operated assault rifle developed by the 205th Arsenal in the early 1970s and adopted by the Republic of China Armed Forces in 1976. It combines design elements of the M16A1 and the ArmaLite AR-18, replacing the M16's direct-impingement system with a short-stroke gas piston and rotating bolt for improved reliability in Taiwan's humid climate. The rifle uses STANAG-compatible 30-round box magazines and adjustable iron sights, and served as the standard infantry rifle of Taiwan until it was supplanted by the T86 and T91.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3310 g (116.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 990 mm (38.98") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 990 m/s (3248 fps) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56mm NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Short Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Iron Sights, Fixed Stock
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Republic of China Armed Forces · adopted 1976
- Armed Forces of El Salvador
- Guatemalan Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Second Liberian Civil War (1999-2003)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
Production
Production years: 1976-1979
Original T65 produced 1976-1979 by the 205th Arsenal; improved K-series variants continued afterward
Origin
Country of origin: Taiwan
Designer: 205th Arsenal, Combined Logistics Command
Discontinued: 1997
Notes
The short-stroke piston operation distinguishes the T65 from the direct-impingement M16 it was derived from. Later K-series variants adopted M16A2-style features and three-round burst.
Background
Taiwan developed the T65 indigenously after acquiring a license to produce M16-pattern rifles, deliberately re-engineering the gas system to suit the island's hot, humid conditions where early direct-impingement M16s had suffered reliability problems.