The Type 67 is a general-purpose machine gun, chambered in 7.62×54mmR formerly used by the People's Liberation Army.[3]
Type 67 | |
---|---|
Type | General-purpose machine gun |
Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
Service history | |
In service | 1967–present |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | Vietnam War Lebanese Civil War War in Afghanistan Syrian Civil War[1] Yemeni Civil War[2][1] |
Production history | |
Designer | Dr. Duo Ying Jian |
Designed | 1959 |
Manufacturer | China North Industries Corporation |
Produced | 1967– |
Variants | Type 67-1, Type 67-2 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 11 kg (24.25 lb) |
Length | 1,650 mm (65.0 in) |
Barrel length | 605 mm (23.8 in) |
Cartridge | 7.62×54mmR |
Action | Gas-operated, tilting breechblock |
Rate of fire | 650–700 rounds/min |
Effective firing range | 800–1000 m |
Feed system | 100/250-round belt |
Sights | Rear leaf sight, forward post |
The Type 67 machine gun was developed as a lightweight replacement for the Type 53 (SG43) and Type 57 (SGM) medium 7.62 mm machine guns in 1959.[4] The first tests for the Type 67 started in 1963.[4] Research on the weapon was led by Dr. Duo Ying Jian from the Beijing Industrial Technology Academy.[5] After Soviet-Chinese relations began to break down, there were concerns that further technological assistance would not be rendered, including supplying them with Soviet-made PKMs.[5]
The first combat use of the Type 67 was with Mujahideen forces fighting in Afghanistan fighting against pro-Soviet forces in 1980.[4] These found their way through smuggling in Pakistani soil.[4] In the Syrian Civil War, the Type 67 is found in use with Syrian opposition forces fighting against government forces from 2015.[3] It is suggested these were likely captured from Syrian troops.[3] It has also been used in the Yemeni Civil War against the Houthis.[3]
According to a United States Army Materiel Command analysis, the Type 67 uses the DP trigger mechanism, the quick-change barrel of the SG-43, a gas regulator similar to the RPD, the ZB vz. 30 bolt mechanism, and a modified Maxim-type feed mechanism.[6]
The furniture was made in wood with the integral non-detachable bipod attached to a gas tube.[7] For using the Type 67 at long range, a tripod can be used when needed.[7] The Type 67 was initially supposed to be used as a medium machine gun (exclusively with a tripod), but Chinese engineers studied a captured M60 GPMG from American-led military forces in the Vietnam War.[5] Further design revisions were made where the bipod was made standard to be used.[5]
Since 1967, the Type 67 has gone through two model modifications and improvements, with the newer models designated Type 67-1 and Type 67-2.[1]