Type 64 pistol
| Company type | Semi-automatic handgun |
|---|---|
| Industry | Firearms |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Type 64 pistol, M-64 pistol (export version) |
The Type 64 pistol () is a semi-automatic handgun that was once standard issue within the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and continues to be utilized by certain Chinese law enforcement agencies. It holds the distinction of being the first firearm entirely developed domestically by the People's Republic of China, initially distributed to senior military personnel before its broader deployment among the PLA, People's Armed Police, and civil police units. It should not be confused with the unrelated Type 64 silent pistol, which incorporates a large built-in suppressor.
Development
Following the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War, the PLA depended heavily on Soviet assistance, producing licensed copies of Soviet-designed weapons during a period characterized by Sino-Soviet collaboration. This included pistols modeled after the German Walther PPK and Soviet Makarov PM, which were manufactured in China as the 'Type 52' and 'Type 59' pistols respectively. After the deterioration of Sino-Soviet relations in the late 1950s, China shifted focus toward independent weapons development. Beginning in 1960, Chinese engineers embarked on designing an indigenous handgun that merged elements from both the Type 52 and Type 59 models. The resulting design, designated as the 'Type 64 pistol,' was finalized by 1964 but did not enter production until 1980 due to interruptions caused by the Cultural Revolution. This firearm represents China's inaugural domestically produced military sidearm.
With the introduction of more modern pistols such as the QSZ-92 during the 1990s, the Type 64 has been progressively withdrawn from PLA inventories and remains primarily in use among civilian police forces, who have plans to replace it with a new 9mm revolver introduced in 2006.
- China Astronaut Survival gun
Since Shenzhou 5 in 1999, Chinese astronauts have been equipped with a survival pistol.
Design details
The Type 64 is a compact handgun designed for concealed carry, chambered specifically for the 7.62×17 mm Type 64 rimless cartridge, which is loosely based on the .32 ACP round. It was pioneering in its use of this particular ammunition. Mechanically, it operates on a PPK-style straight blowback system with an open bolt and single-action trigger, incorporating a safety mechanism derived from the Makarov PM that requires pushing down a safety lever prior to firing. After discharging the initial round, the hammer remains cocked to enable semi-automatic fire. Despite its small dimensions, this pistol has been subject to criticism concerning its ergonomics and accuracy. Furthermore, there is ongoing debate about whether the 7.62×17 mm cartridge is optimal for law enforcement purposes; some contend it is excessively powerful for apprehending suspects non-lethally, while others argue it lacks adequate stopping power to ensure officer safety.
Variants
The sole variant of this model is the M-64 pistol, which is identical in design but produced specifically for export markets; meanwhile, the original Type 64 remains intended for domestic use. It should be noted that the similarly named Type 64 silent pistol is an entirely different weapon.
M-64
The M-64 (Model 64) serves as an export version of the Type 64 pistol without any alterations to its design.