Type 64 Suppressed Submachine Gun
China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1964
Also known as: Type 64 SMG, K-64
Overview
The Type 64 is a Chinese integrally suppressed submachine gun adopted in 1964 and built at State Factory 66. It was China's first weapon engineered around an integral suppressor from the outset, intended for clandestine and special-forces use. The blowback action combines elements of the Soviet PPS-43 bolt and PPSh-41 feed; it is chambered for a dedicated subsonic 7.62x25mm cartridge with a heavier bullet that keeps the gun unusually quiet. Standard supersonic 7.62x25mm Tokarev ammunition can be fired but greatly reduces suppressor effectiveness.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 843 mm (33.19") |
| Folded Length | 635 mm (25.00") |
| Barrel Length | 244 mm (9.61") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Effective Range | 135 m (148 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1000 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x25mm Type 64 (Subsonic) · primary — also known as 7.62x25mm Tokarev (subsonic), Type 64 subsonic
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Integral Suppressor, Ported Barrel, Subsonic Dedicated Cartridge, Top Folding Stock, Ppsh Pps Derived Bolt
Variants
- Type 85 Suppressed SMG — Successor
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army · adopted 1964 · as Type 64
- Vietnam People's Army · as K-64
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Production years: 1964-1985
Built at State Factory 66; superseded by the Type 85 suppressed SMG from 1985
Origin
Country of origin: China
Notes
Sources disagree on subsonic dependence: militaryfactory.com states the weapon relies on standard Tokarev ammunition, but Wikipedia, Forgotten Weapons and Small Arms Review confirm a purpose-built subsonic Type 64 cartridge. Rate of fire is cited as ~1,000 rpm with the dedicated subsonic round and higher (~1,300 rpm) with standard ammunition. Used by North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War as the K-64.
Background
The Type 64 was China's first home-grown suppressed weapon designed around an integral silencer from the ground up, and it saw shadowy service with North Vietnamese troops as the K-64, where its near-silent subsonic report made it a prized tool for ambushes and sentry removal.