Type 81
China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) · Assault Rifle · In Production · 1983
Also known as: 81-shi Buqiang, Type 81 Assault Rifle
Overview
The Type 81 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm, produced by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) since 1983.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3800 g (134.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 955 mm (37.60") |
| Barrel Length | 445 mm (17.52") |
| Height | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Width | 45 mm (1.77") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 750 m/s (2461 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2243 J (1654 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 280 m (306 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 520 m (569 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 650 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 7.62mm Soviet, 7.62x39mm M43
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Hammer Notch
- Features: Chrome Lined Barrel, Rotating Bolt, Select Fire, Short Stroke Gas Piston, Sks Derived Gas System, Reduced Recoil Design, Exposed Muzzle Barrel, Folding Bayonet Optional
Variants
- Type 81-1 — Folding Stock
- Type 81 LMG — Light Machine Gun
- Type 81S — Civilian
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army · adopted 1983
- Bangladesh Armed Forces
- Myanmar Armed Forces
- Pakistan Armed Forces
- Sri Lanka Armed Forces
- Sudanese Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Sino-Vietnamese War (1979-1979)
- Sri Lankan Civil War (1983-2009)
Production
Production years: 1983-present
Exact production figures are classified. Served as the standard PLA rifle from 1983 until replacement by the QBZ-95 in the mid-1990s, suggesting production in the hundreds of thousands at minimum. Exported to approximately 27 countries.
Origin
Country of origin: China
Notes
Despite the external AK resemblance, the Type 81 represents China's first significant departure from simply copying Soviet designs. The short-stroke gas piston-borrowed from the SKS rather than the AK-reduces felt recoil by approximately 30% compared to the Type 56 (AK-47), improving hit probability in sustained fire. The rifle family includes the Type 81 (fixed stock), Type 81-1 (folding stock for paratroopers and vehicle crews), and Type 81 LMG (heavy-barrel squad automatic variant). An experimental Type 87-1 chambered in 5.8x42mm was developed but the PLA instead adopted the QBZ-95 bullpup for the new caliber. The Type 81 remains in reserve service with Chinese forces and is actively used by approximately 27 nations, primarily in Asia and Africa. The semi-automatic Type 81S civilian variant is popular on the Canadian market. Uses standard AK/Type 56 magazines and is compatible with most AK accessories.
Background
The Type 81 was China's first major break from simply copying Soviet small arms designs. Its SKS-derived short-stroke gas piston was a deliberate engineering choice inspired by bitter lessons from the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese border war, where PLA troops found the Type 56's recoil too severe for accurate automatic fire. The resulting 30% recoil reduction made the Type 81 significantly more controllable.