Firearms / Assault rifles / T65
T65
General Facts
- TYPE
Assault rifle - ORIGIN
Taiwan
- NICKNAMES
T68 (other designation for T65K2) - DESIGNED
1973 - 1975 (T65)
1992 - 2000 (T86)
2002 (T91) - DESIGNER
205th Armory - PRODUCTION
1976 - 1979 (T65)
1979 - ? (T65K2)
2000 - 2002 (T86)
2003 - present (T91) - PRODUCERS
Taiwan - 205th Armory
- QUANTITY
Well over 100.000 (T65)
Over 4.800 (T86)
Over 140.000 (T91) - UNIT COST
T91: $539 in 2004 - CHARACTERISTICS
Good accuracy
Limited reliability in original T65
Introduction
The T65 is an assault rifle of Taiwanese origin. It was developed to replace the M14 in Taiwanese service. The T65, or Type 65, designation is derived from year 65 of the Republic of China, which is 1976.
Design
The T65 has a mixture of design elements of the M16A1 and the AR-18. The upper and lower receiver and external looks are similar to the M16A1. However, a short stroke gas piston cycles the weapon. The reliability is reported to be better than the M16 series.
Firepower
The T65 fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round from 30 round STANAG magazines. The rate of fire is 700 to 800 rounds per minute. The carbine versions have a slightly higher rate of fire.
Users
The T65 and its derivatives are the standard issue infantry weapons of Taiwan. Export sales were made to South America, Asia and the Middle East.
T65
The T65 is the basic full size assault rifle variant. It features the same sights as the M16, but lacks the carrying handle. The original T65 is the only version in the T65 family that fires the original 5.56x45mm M193 round. While the T65 was not fully satisfactory it was improved as the T65K1, which differed only in minor details.
- Specifications:
- T65
Type | Assault rifle |
---|---|
Caliber | 5.56x45mm M193 |
Magazine | 30 rounds |
Operation | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
Fire selector | 0-1-F |
Rate of fire | 700 rpm |
Barrel length | 508 mm |
---|---|
Rifling | 305 mm twist |
Muzzle velocity | 975 m/s |
Stock | Fixed |
Length | 990 mm |
Width | ? |
Height | ? |
---|---|
Weight | ? |
Sights | Iron sights |
Remarks | - |
T65K2
The T65K2 incorporated many of the improvements of the M16A2. The T65K2 is also known as the T68. Externally it looks very much like the M16A2. It has a squared forearm and carrying handle. As with the M16A2 it uses the newer 5.56x45mm NATO round with associated faster rifling twist rate.
- Specifications:
- T65K2
Type | Assault rifle |
---|---|
Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
Magazine | 30 rounds |
Operation | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
Fire selector | 0-1-F |
Rate of fire | 700 rpm |
Barrel length | 508 mm |
---|---|
Rifling | 178 mm twist |
Muzzle velocity | ? |
Stock | Fixed |
Length | 990 mm |
Width | ? |
Height | ? |
---|---|
Weight | 3.31 kg |
Sights | Iron sights, M16A2 rear sights |
Remarks | - |
T65K3
The T65K3 is a carbine variant of the T65K2 and later resulted in the T86. It looks similar to the T86, but can be identified by the solid handguard, slightly different sights and smooth pistol grip. It was meant as a prototype, but was taken into production as the T86
- Specifications:
- T65K3
Type | Assault rifle |
---|---|
Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
Magazine | 30 rounds |
Operation | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
Fire selector | 0-1-F |
Rate of fire | 700 - 800 rpm |
Barrel length | 406 mm |
---|---|
Rifling | 178 mm twist |
Muzzle velocity | 884 m/s |
Stock | Retractable |
Length | 880 mm / 800 mm |
Width | ? |
Height | ? |
---|---|
Weight | ? |
Sights | Iron sights, M16A2 rear sights |
Remarks | - |
T86
The T86 is a carbine version of the T65. The development took quite some time and relatively few were produced. It features a retractable stock similar to the one on the M4 and has a shorter barrel and handguard. The T86 differs internally from the T65K3 in having a modular gas piston, allowing for easy disassembly and maintainance.
- Specifications:
- T86
Type | Assault rifle |
---|---|
Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
Magazine | 30 rounds |
Operation | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
Fire selector | 0-1-F |
Rate of fire | 700 - 800 rpm |
Barrel length | 375 mm |
---|---|
Rifling | 178 mm twist |
Muzzle velocity | 840 m/s |
Stock | Retractable |
Length | ? |
Width | ? |
Height | ? |
---|---|
Weight | 3.17 kg |
Sights | Iron sights, M16A2 rear sights |
Remarks | - |
T91
The T91 was produced to replace all previous versions. The design is very similar to the T86. The T91 could be called a T86 with longer barrel and a flat top receiver with accessory rails. It has the same modular gas piston.
- Specifications:
- T91
Type | Assault rifle |
---|---|
Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
Magazine | 30 rounds |
Operation | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
Fire selector | 0-1-F |
Rate of fire | 800 - 850 rpm |
Barrel length | 406 mm |
---|---|
Rifling | 178 mm twist |
Muzzle velocity | 884 m/s |
Stock | Retractable |
Length | 880 mm / 800 mm |
Width | ? |
Height | ? |
---|---|
Weight | 3.8 kg |
Sights | Iron sights, M16A2 rear sights |
Remarks | - |