Firearms / Machine guns / Norinco QJY88
Norinco QJY88
General Facts
- TYPE
Machine gun - ORIGIN
China - NICKNAMES
Type 88 - DESIGNED
Late 1980s - DESIGNER
Norinco - PRODUCTION
Late 1990s - present? - PRODUCERS
China - Norinco - QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Limited recoil due to high weight
Ability to mount optics
Limited range and lethality for medium MG
Heavy, large and bulky for infantry use
Introduction
The QJY88 is a modern machine gun of Chinese origin. It was developed in the late 1980's as a replacement for the old Type 67 machine guns in Chinese service. The QJY88 is an unconventional weapon in the sense that it is a heavy weapon that uses and intermediate power caliber. In practice it proved too heavy for infantry use, while lacking the firepower of a true medium machine gun.
Design
The QJY88 is a general purpose machine gun in a light machine gun caliber. It is much heavier than Western counterparts chambered for an intermediate caliber. The design is conventional in being gas operated and using a long stroke gas system. A plastic shoulder stock, pistol grip and handguard are fitted. A bipod and carrying handle are fitted as standard. Optics and a tripod mount are optional.
Firepower
The QJY88 fires the heavy load version of the 5.8x42mm Chinese round. The 200 rounds belts are fed from left to right and are usually carried in a box attached to the weapon. The cyclic rate of fire is 650 to 700 rpm. The quick change barrel system allows for sustained fire. The maximum range from the bipod is 500 to 600 meters and 800 to 1.000 meters when mounted on a tripod.
Users
The QJY88 is only used by the Chinese army. It is also in limited use with the People's Armed Police. The QJY88 is believed to be unpopular due to its weight and limited performance.
QJY88
QJY-88: The QJY88 is produced only in a single variant. The QJY88 is fitted with a foldable bipod for infantry use and can be fitted on a tripod or vehicle for use from fixed positions. Optical and night vision sights are optional.
- Specifications:
- QJY88
Type | Machine gun |
---|---|
Caliber | 5.8x42mm Chinese |
Magazine | Belt fed, 100, 200 rounds |
Operation | Gas operated |
Fire selector | 0-F |
Rate of fire | 650 - 700 rpm |
Barrel length | 600 mm |
---|---|
Rifling | ? |
Muzzle velocity | 895 m/s |
Stock | Fixed |
Length | 1.151 mm (on bipod), 1.321 mm (on tripod) |
Width | ? |
Height | ? |
---|---|
Weight | 7.6 kg (on bipod), 11.8 kg (on tripod) |
Sights | Iron sights, optional optical sights |
Remarks | Fixed foldable bipod, optional tripod |