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.

Variants

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
TypeAssault rifle
Caliber5.56x45mm M193
Magazine30 rounds
OperationGas operated, rotating bolt
Fire selector0-1-F
Rate of fire700 rpm
Barrel length508 mm
Rifling305 mm twist
Muzzle velocity975 m/s
StockFixed
Length990 mm
Width?
Height?
Weight?
SightsIron 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.

TypeAssault rifle
Caliber5.56x45mm NATO
Magazine30 rounds
OperationGas operated, rotating bolt
Fire selector0-1-F
Rate of fire700 rpm
Barrel length508 mm
Rifling178 mm twist
Muzzle velocity?
StockFixed
Length990 mm
Width?
Height?
Weight3.31 kg
SightsIron 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

TypeAssault rifle
Caliber5.56x45mm NATO
Magazine30 rounds
OperationGas operated, rotating bolt
Fire selector0-1-F
Rate of fire700 - 800 rpm
Barrel length406 mm
Rifling178 mm twist
Muzzle velocity884 m/s
StockRetractable
Length880 mm / 800 mm
Width?
Height?
Weight?
SightsIron 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
TypeAssault rifle
Caliber5.56x45mm NATO
Magazine30 rounds
OperationGas operated, rotating bolt
Fire selector0-1-F
Rate of fire700 - 800 rpm
Barrel length375 mm
Rifling178 mm twist
Muzzle velocity840 m/s
StockRetractable
Length?
Width?
Height?
Weight3.17 kg
SightsIron 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
TypeAssault rifle
Caliber5.56x45mm NATO
Magazine30 rounds
OperationGas operated, rotating bolt
Fire selector0-1-F
Rate of fire800 - 850 rpm
Barrel length406 mm
Rifling178 mm twist
Muzzle velocity884 m/s
StockRetractable
Length880 mm / 800 mm
Width?
Height?
Weight3.8 kg
SightsIron sights, M16A2 rear sights
Remarks-

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