Type 79 (SMG) Submachine Gun (1981)
What sets the Chinese Type 79 Submachine Gun apart from others in this class is its use of a gas-operated action.
The Type 79 was designed throughout the 1970s to which pre-production models finally emerged in 1981. Serial production then followed in 1983. The weapon became a highly conventional submachine gun design with one major exception - it was designed around a gas-operation (with rotating bolt) while many other submachine guns were generally developed around the blowback system of operation. This led to commonality with other existing Chinese assault and service rifles which were, of course, Soviet in their origin - many Kalashnikov types included. Additionally, the system did not rely on a heavy internal working set and made for a lighter and overall compact weapon. Such a weapon became standard issue for Chinese Army, internal security and special forces elements within time. Beyond that, the Type 79 was traditionally arranged with a large rectangular receiver, hinged folding wire buttstock and integrated pistol grip. Construction was of steel stampings and the weapon was chambered for the Soviet 7.62x25mm Tokarev pistol cartridge which gave good man-stopping capabilities. A safety and fire mode selector were fitted to the right side of the receiver within easy reach of the trigger function (obviously influenced by the Kalashnikov design and arrangement). A 20-round straight detachable box magazine was fitted into a well ahead of the pistol grip and trigger unit in the usual way. The charging handle was set to the right side of the receiver and iron sights were set at the receiver top and at the muzzle. The gas cylinder was mounted over the barrel in the traditional Kalashnikov style.
At its core, the Type 79 was a no-frills submachine gun entry that reportedly gave a good account of itself in a rather busy market. Rate-of-fire was acceptable at 500 rounds per minute and control was deemed good for a weapon of this class. Effective range was out to 200 meters though the Type 79 was ever only really intended for short-to-medium engagements. The weapon went on to see production on a large scale - over 290,000 examples believed produced since inception in 1979 and still ongoing today (2012) - while its gas-operated action gave good service. The Type 79 was eventually simplified with the arrival of the Type 85 Submachine Gun of 1985, this series reverting back to the widely-accepted blowback system of operation and featured a new cylindrical receiver with hinged folding wire stock and curved 30-round detachable box magazine. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Type 79 (SMG)
Submachine Gun
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer: China North Industries Corporation - China
Initial Year of Service: 1981
Overall Length: 740mm (29.13in)
Barrel Length: 250.00mm (9.84in)
Weight (Empty): 3.86lbs (1.75kg)
Cartridge: 7.62x25mm Tokarev
Action: Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt
Feed: 20-round detachable box magazine
Muzzle Velocity: 1,689ft/sec (515m/sec)
Rate-of-Fire: 500 rounds per minute
Range: 656ft (200m; 219yds)
Sights: Rear Notch Sight
Variants:
Type 79 - Base Series Designation
Operators: China
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