Type Submachine gun Designed 1970-1979 | In service 1979- present | |
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Place of origin People's Republic of China Used by People's Republic of China Designer 208 Institute of the Ministry of Ordnance Industry | ||
The Type 79 (Chinese: 1979年式衝鋒槍; pinyin: 1979 Niánshì Chōngfēng Qiāng; literally: "1979 Year Type Submachine Gun") but more commonly known (Chinese: 79式衝鋒槍; pinyin: 79 Shì Chōngfēng Qiāng; literally: "79 Type Submachine Gun") is the first generation indigenous submachine gun used by the Chinese military, security, and police forces. The submachine gun was type classified in 1979 and entered mass production in 1983.
The Type 79 is widely equipped by the PLAAF, scout and special operation units, as well as the People's Armed Police (PAP) and the Public Security Police.
Design
The design of the Type-79 submachine gun was completed in 1979. The production model was completed in 1983. From the 1981 pilot production, the total production of the Type 79 was nearly 200,000 until 1992. The highest years of production were between 1988 and 1991. During that period the Type 79 was produced at a rate of more than 30,000 per year. Generally firearms take between five and seven years to develop with a typical staff of between four and ten people. The developmental period of Type 79 was 15 years with a staff of over 70 people.
The Type 79 fires 7.62 millimeter caliber steel-cored pistol bullets in either the automatic or semiautomatic mode. The gun is gas-operated, with a foldable butt stock. The basic configuration of this submachine gun makes for an ideal size, weight, and capable (in terms of accuracy, lethality, reliability, etc.) close quarters battle (CQB) weapon. It accepts a 20-round magazine and has an effective range of 200 meters.