W-85 Heavy Machine Gun
Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) · Machine Gun · In Service · 1985
Also known as: W85, QJC-88, Type W-85
Overview
The W-85 is a Chinese NORINCO 12.7x108mm heavy machine gun designed in the mid-1980s as an ultralight infantry HMG, weighing only 18.5 kg as the gun alone. It uses a gas-operated, long-stroke piston, open-bolt action with a rectangular receiver cross-section and a large muzzle brake to tame recoil. Although intended for infantry use, it was never accepted by the PLA in its original ground-mount form and was instead adopted as the vehicle-mounted QJC-88; it has seen wide export and combat use.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 18500 g (652.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1995 mm (78.54") |
| Barrel Length | 1003 mm (39.49") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Magazine Capacity | 60 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 850 m/s (2789 fps) |
| Effective Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 575 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 12.7x108mm · primary — also known as 12.7 Soviet, 12.7mm DShK, 12.7x108mm Russian
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Metal Link Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Tripod Mounted, Quick Change Barrel, Muzzle Brake, Open Bolt, Anti Aircraft Capable, Belt Fed
Variants
- QJC-88 Vehicle Machine Gun — Vehicle Mounted
- W-95 — Export Caliber
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army · adopted 1988 · as QJC-88
- Iraqi Armed Forces
- Bangladesh Armed Forces
- Sri Lanka Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
- Libyan Civil War (2011-2020)
- War in Darfur (2003-2020)
Production
Production years: 1985-present
Widely exported; combat use documented in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Mali, Yemen and Sudan
Origin
Country of origin: China
Notes
The W-85 differs from the related Type 85 in using a conventional gas-piston system (rather than direct impingement) and a rectangular receiver. Its vehicle-mount form is designated QJC-88. The .50 BMG (12.7x99mm) export adaptation is the W-95.
Background
Engineered to be the lightest 12.7mm gun the PLA could field, the W-85 was too ambitious for its own good: the army never accepted it as an infantry weapon and only bolted it onto vehicles as the QJC-88, while it quietly became one of China's most exported heavy machine guns.