Type 85 Submachine Gun

Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1985

Also known as: Type 85 SMG, Norinco Type 85

Overview

The Type 85 is a Chinese open-bolt, blowback submachine gun chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Developed in the early 1980s as a simplified, lighter and cheaper successor to the Type 79 SMG, it uses a tubular steel receiver and a folding steel shoulder stock. It was produced in both a standard form and a more widely noted integrally suppressed variant.

Specifications

Weight (empty)1900 g (67.0 oz)
Overall Length628 mm (24.72")
Folded Length444 mm (17.48")
Barrel Length210 mm (8.27")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismOpen Bolt
Magazine Capacity30 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity470 m/s (1542 fps)
Muzzle Energy544 J (401 ft·lbf)
Effective Range150 m (164 yd)
Rate of Fire780 rpm
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialSteel

Calibers

Features

Variants

Service history

Operators

Production

Production years: 1985-1990s

Produced for Chinese military and police use and offered for export; exact totals undisclosed

Origin

Country of origin: China

Notes

The integrally suppressed Type 85 was developed to replace the older Type 64 silenced SMG in PLA service and fires subsonic 7.62x25mm Type 64 ammunition. Barrel length is reported as 210 mm in primary sources.

Background

A Cold War-era economy-of-production design, the Type 85 is best remembered for its integrally suppressed model, a successor to the Type 64 silent SMG used by Chinese special operations and reconnaissance units.