Type 74 Light Machine Gun
China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1974
Also known as: Type 74 LMG
Overview
The Type 74 is a Chinese squad-level light machine gun chambered in 7.62x39mm, developed in the early 1970s as a replacement for the magazine-fed Type 56 (RPD copy) and Type 58. It is a gas-operated, air-cooled weapon fed from either a 30-round box magazine or a 101-round drum, mounted on a fixed bipod and built around an AK-pattern long-stroke piston action. It was issued in limited numbers before being supplanted by the belt-fed Type 81 light machine gun.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 6200 g (218.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1070 mm (42.13") |
| Barrel Length | 521 mm (20.51") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 101 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Drum |
| Muzzle Velocity | 735 m/s (2411 fps) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x39mm · primary — also known as 7.62x39, M43, 7.62 Soviet
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed Bipod, Drum Or Box Magazine Feed, Carrying Handle, Wooden Furniture
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army · adopted 1974 · as Type 74
Conflicts
- Sino-Vietnamese War (1979)
Production
Production years: 1974-1980s
Produced in limited numbers; superseded by the Type 81 LMG
Origin
Country of origin: China
Notes
Sometimes confused with the earlier Type 73. The high-capacity 101-round drum was its distinguishing feature among Chinese squad automatics of the period.
Background
The Type 74's distinctive 101-round drum magazine made it one of the highest-capacity squad automatic weapons of its era, but its short service life meant it was eclipsed by the belt-fed Type 81 almost as soon as it was fielded.