Type 50
Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1950
Also known as: Chinese PPSh-41, Type 50 SMG
Overview
The Type 50 was the Chinese license-produced copy of the Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun, manufactured by Chinese state arsenals from 1950. Chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev and firing from an open bolt with a simple blowback action, it retained the PPSh-41's wooden full stock, perforated barrel jacket, and slanted muzzle compensator. Unlike the Soviet original it was issued only with the 35-round curved box magazine rather than the 71-round drum, and is most easily distinguished by its round aperture rear sight in place of the Soviet U-notch.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3640 g (128.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 843 mm (33.19") |
| Barrel Length | 269 mm (10.59") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 35 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 488 m/s (1601 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 655 J (483 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 250 m (273 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 900 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x25mm Tokarev · primary — also known as 7.62 Tokarev, 7.62x25mm, 7.63x25mm Mauser (parent)
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Bolt Slot Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Open Bolt, Wooden Full Stock, Perforated Barrel Jacket, Muzzle Compensator, Chrome Lined Barrel, Round Aperture Rear Sight
Variants
- PPSh-41 (Soviet original) — Parent Design
Service history
Operators
- People's Volunteer Army · adopted 1950
- Korean People's Army
- Viet Cong
Conflicts
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- First Indochina War (1946-1954)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Production years: 1950-1956
Produced in large quantities by Chinese arsenals during the Korean War; exact figures unknown. Soviet PPSh-41 total exceeded 6 million.
Origin
Country of origin: China
Designer: Georgi Shpagin
Discontinued: 1956
Notes
Type 50 production was later supplemented and replaced by the Type 54, the Chinese copy of the PPS-43. Vast numbers were supplied to Chinese forces in Korea and exported to communist-aligned movements across Asia.
Background
Captured in huge numbers by UN forces during the Korean War, the Type 50's relentless full-auto fire from massed Chinese 'human wave' assaults earned the PPSh family the grim Allied nickname 'burp gun' for its distinctive rattling 900-rounds-per-minute report.