Norinco Type 80
China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) · Machine Gun · In Service · 1983
Also known as: Type 80 GPMG, CF-06, CS/LM4
Overview
The Norinco Type 80 is a Chinese general-purpose machine gun, a near-direct copy of the Soviet PKM, certified for design finalization in 1980 and entering PLA service in 1983. Chambered in 7.62x54mmR, it is a gas-operated, open-bolt, belt-fed weapon firing at roughly 750 rounds per minute, fed from 100-, 200-, or 250-round non-disintegrating belts and mountable on a bipod or tripod. It was adopted as a unified squad/company support weapon to replace the heavier hybrid Type 67 family and was exported to a number of countries.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 12500 g (440.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1192 mm (46.93") |
| Barrel Length | 658 mm (25.91") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 840 m/s (2756 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3387 J (2498 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3800 m (4156 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 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 | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x54mmR · primary — also known as 7.62x54R, 7.62x53R Russian, 7.62 Mosin
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Non Disintegrating Belt 100 Round, Non Disintegrating Belt 200 Round, Non Disintegrating Belt 250 Round
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Open Bolt Operation, Folding Bipod, Tripod Mountable, Adjustable Gas Regulator
Variants
- Type 86 — Modernized
- CS/LM4 (CF-06) — Export 762x51 Nato
- BD-14 — Bangladeshi License
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army · adopted 1983 · as Type 80
- Bangladesh Armed Forces · as BD-14
- Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
- Sri Lanka Armed Forces
- Iraqi Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
- Iraqi insurgency (2003-2011)
Production
Production years: 1983-present
PLA service plus exports; includes the Bangladeshi BD-14 license and the 7.62x51mm NATO export CS/LM4
Origin
Country of origin: China
Notes
Internally and externally very close to the Soviet PKM. A modernized Type 86 followed, and the export CS/LM4 (CF-06) was rechambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. Bangladesh produces a licensed version designated BD-14.
Background
The Type 80 ended China's long detour of hybrid PK/SG-43/RP-46 mashups like the Type 67 - once the PLA could simply tool up a faithful PKM copy, it abandoned home-grown hybrids and standardized on the lighter, proven Soviet pattern.