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Type 54



Overview


Type 54 heavy machine gun

12.7mm Type 54 heavy machine gun on a tripod mount.
Source: Notmuchhigher - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin
China
Type
Heavy machine gun
Entered service
1954
Status
In service
Development
Early 1950's
Developer
China
Production
Early 1950's - present
Producer
China - Norinco
Pakistan - POF
Notable users
China
Pakistan
Afghanistan

Description


Introduction

The Type 54 is an early Cold War era heavy machine gun of Chinese origin. The Type 54 is the Chinese production model of the Soviet DShKM heavy machine gun.

Design

In general the Type 54 is same weapon as the Soviet DShKM. And it has the same capabilities, but features some minor improvements. The barrel is a bit thicker and does not feature cooling ribs.

Firepower

The Type 54 fires the 12.7x108mm round at a cyclic rate of fire of about 600 rounds per minute. It is usually fed by 50 round belts. The maximum effective range is beyond 1 km.

Users

The Type 54 is widely by infantry and found on many armored vehicles and tanks of Chinese origin. It was widely exported to Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Present day it remains in active service with many nations. Even though newer types of heavy machine gun are available it remains in production in China and abroad.

Details


Facts Type 54
General
Origin
China
Type
Heavy machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
12.7x108mm Soviet
Feed system
Belt fed, 50 round belts
Barrel length
1.070 mm
Rifling
8 grooves, right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
840 - 860 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated, open bolt
Locking
Hinged flaps in bolt
Fire selector
0 - F
Rate of fire
600 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
None, spade grips
Length
1.625 mm
Weight
34 kg
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, hooded post front and ladder sight rear
Optional anti-aircraft spider web sight
Sight radius
1.111 mm
Optics
None

Media


Related articles


DShKM

The Type 54 is a near direct copy of the DShKM. The most notable difference is the use of a barrel without cooling fins.

QJC88

The QJC88 heavy machine gun is a newer Chinese development. It has superseded the Type 54 in the role of vehicle armament and can be found on most newer Chinese fighting vehicles.

Type 77

In the crew served infantry support role the Type 54 was replaced by the Type 77 and later Type 85. Although not without issues, the Type 77 is lighter and more portable.