T65 (Type 65)

Assault Rifle [ 1976 ]

Taiwanese familiarity with the American AR-18 automatic rifle helped to produce the Type 65 of 1976.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/10/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

In an attempt to stock its national armory with an indigenous design, Taiwanese engineers developed the T65 (Type 65), an automatic assault rifle based on the American Armalite series with several deviations to suit local military requirements. The T65 went on to serve as the standard-issue service rifle for the Taiwanese Army and Marines from 1976 until 1997 when it was officially superseded by the "T86" line. Operators of the T65 beyond Taiwan included El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jordan, Libya, Liberia, Panama and Paraguay. Design of the T65 was attributed to Combined Logistics Command (Taiwanese Hsing Arsenal) with production handled by the 205th Armory of Combined Service Forces.

Outwardly, the T65 proved a highly conventional automatic rifle, being of gas-operation with a rotating bolt function and firing the world-accepted 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge from a 30-round (standard) curved detachable box magazine. Externally, the design certainly showcased a resemblance to the American Armalite/M-16 model types. Key differences lay in a new ergonomic formed shoulder stock, revised iron sights (positioned fore and aft) and a lengthened perforated hand guard over the gas cylinder/barrel assembly. The T65 also did not feature the iconic carrying-handle of the M16 (though prototypes were seen with such). Otherwise, the system retained the same receiver with integrated pistol grip and magazine well as the Armalite/M16 family and charging was through the same T-shaped handle at the rear of the upper receiver. The lack of the carrying handle allowed for various optics to be installed while sling loops situated under the shoulder stock and under the barrel allowed for a shoulder strap to be used. The gas cylinder was positioned over the barrel assembly as in the M16 and the feed assembly could accept STANAG-type magazines beyond the aforementioned 30-round count. Overall weight was 3.31 kilograms unloaded with a running length of 990mm and a barrel assembly measuring 508mm long. Rate-of-fire was listed at 700 to 800rpm. An optional bipod could be fitted for the squad support / light machine gun role and later production models instituted a three-round burst facility similar to that of the M16. Overall, there were four positions - safety, single-shot, burst and full-automatic.©MilitaryFactory.com

The T65 was eventually modernized with improved production processes through the "T65K2" (Type 65K2) endeavor and this, itself, spawned the "T65K3" (Type 65K3) shortened carbine form for specialist troops.

T65 rifles saw combat actions in the Liberian Civil War (1989-1996), the Iraq War (2003-2011), the Haitian Civil War and, most recently, in the Libyan Civil War of 2011.

Despite its "Type 65" designation, which would assume a 1965 service entry year, the rifle's formal adoption into service was in 1976 - the "65" designator stemming from the "Year 65" of the Republic of China, which fell in 1975. Stocks of T65 rifles are still being used worldwide as of this writing (2013).©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Basics [+]

Manufacturer(s)

205th Armory of Combined Service Forces - Taiwan

Operators

El Salvador; Guatemala; Haiti; Jordan; Libya; Liberia; Panama; Paraguay; Taiwan

Service Year

1976

National Origin

Taiwan

AUTOMATIC FUNCTION
Features a mechanical function to automate the firing action.

ASSAULT RIFLE
Modern class of long gun featuring select-fire properties, automatic internal function, and magazine feeding.

Overall Length

990 mm / 38.98 in

Barrel Length

508 mm / 20.00 in

Weight (Empty)

7.30 lb / 3.31 kg

Action

Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt

ROTATING BOLT
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

GAS-OPERATED
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

Caliber(s)*

5.56x45mm NATO
*May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.

Feed

30-round detachable box magazine

Sights

Adjustable Iron

Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information.

Max.Effective Range

1,640 ft / 499.9 m | 546.7 yds

Rate-of-Fire

750 rpm

Muzzle Velocity

2,530 ft/sec / 771 m/sec

T65 (Type 65) - Base Series Designation

T65K2 (Type 65K2) - Improved Production Model

T65K3 (Type 65K3) - Shortened Carbine Form

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon representing special forces

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Images

1 / 1

Image courtesy of the Public Domain

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)