NORINCO Type 79 (SVD)

Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle

China | 1979

"The Type 79 is a Chinese copy of the Soviet Dragunov SVD semi-automatic sniper rifle."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/16/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Right side view of the Chinese Type 79 sniper rifle; note the similarities to the Soviet SVD design

Once-close political ties between China and the Soviet Union led to closer military ties. As such, much of the Chinese stocks were of Soviet origination to which, at different points, localized license production of some weapons eventually occurred. One such direct Chinese copy of a Soviet product was the Type 79 semi-automatic sniper rifle which, for all intents and purposes, was the Soviet SVD line in Chinese guise. The People's Republic of China Army received their first SVD rifles from Soviet production lines and some may have been manufactured in China with delivered kits.

As in the Soviet model, the Type 79 was chambered for the 7.62x54R Russian cartridge and fed from a 10-round detachable box magazine. Outwardly, the Type 79 exhibited the same lines of the original Soviet design including its hollowed shoulder stock, wood furniture and long-running barrel assembly. The stock integrated into the pistol grip with the trigger unit just ahead, containing the curved trigger assembly. Ahead of the trigger was the magazine feed which was managed with a magazine release/catch just aft. The charging handle and ejection port were all located in their traditional locations along the metal receiver. The weapon was of gas operation so a gas cylinder was located above the barrel though shrouded by the perforated wood forend. The barrel was capped by a slotted flash suppressor as well as a forward iron sight. Optics were affixed to the top of the receiver in the usual way. The standard scope was of 4x magnification with infrared detection capability. However, even this was a direct copy of the Soviet PSO scope design with nothing new to add.

While largely similar to the Soviet design in most respects, the Type 79 incorporated a slight few differentiating features to set it apart from the Russian design. Mainly, the Type 79 differed in its overall measurements but this was expected considering Chinese production when compared to Soviet lines of the time. Beyond that the Type 79 proved a serviceable rifle and decent copy of the original - surely a more budget-conscious approach for the growing (and modernizing) Chinese Army.

The Type 79 is no longer in active production. Some late-production models were chambered for the .308 Winchester rifle round.

The Type 85 was offered as a modified form - again another local Chinese design of the SVD weapon. The CS/LR19 became an upgraded variant.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the NORINCO Type 79 (SVD). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,225 mm
48.23 in
O/A Length

620 mm
24.41 in
Barrel Length

8.20 lb
3.72 kg
Weight

Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt
Action

7.62x54R Russian
Caliber(s)

10-round detachable box magazine
Feed

Adjustable Iron; Optional Optics
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the NORINCO Type 79 (SVD). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

2,624 ft
799.8 m | 874.7 yds
Max.Eff.Range

2,330 ft/sec
710 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the NORINCO Type 79 (SVD) Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle family line.

Type 79 - Base Series Designation

Type 85 - Modified variant based on Type 79 design

CS/LR19 - Upgraded variant

NSG-85 - Export Variant

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the NORINCO Type 79 (SVD). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): China NORth INdustries COrporation (NORINCO) - China

[ China ]

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Right side view of the Chinese Type 79 sniper rifle; note the similarities to the Soviet SVD design

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

AUTOMATIC FUNCTION

ACCURACY/PRECISION

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The NORINCO Type 79 (SVD) Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle appears in the following collections:

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