Type 85 submachine gun
| Company type | Submachine gun |
|---|---|
| Industry | Firearms |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Type 85 submachine gun |
The Type 85 () is a Chinese submachine gun developed in the early 1980s to serve as an economical successor to the Type 79 submachine gun. Its suppressed model was created to replace the Type 64 submachine gun within the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
History
The design process, conducted by the 208th Research Institute of China Ordnance Industry, started between 1979 and 1983, with official classification occurring in 1985. The Type 85 is characterized by a straightforward and easily manufactured construction. Although its aesthetics drew criticism and it was sometimes referred to as a "toy gun" among military personnel, it was ultimately adopted to supplant the Type 64 in PLA service.
Development aimed to replace the unreliable Type 79, beginning in 1979. Two prototypes underwent testing in January 1980, followed by field trials in 1981. Initial problems such as strong recoil and an overly sensitive trigger were addressed by the time the design was finalized around 1984. The Type 85 received official certification in 1985 and progressively took over from the Type 79, earning commendations for its dependability and ease of upkeep.
While favored by military units, the Type 85 was later handed over to police forces, where it was less appreciated due to its simple open-bolt mechanism that compromised first-shot precision.
Design
The Type 85 operates as a basic blowback firearm firing from an open bolt, with some components derived from the Type 64. Except for the barrels, parts between the standard and suppressed versions are interchangeable.
The fire selector and safety lever are positioned on the right side above the trigger guard. The weapon offers semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes, marked as 0, 1, and 2 on the receiver.
It is optimized for special 7.62×25mm (Type 64) heavy subsonic rounds but can also fire standard 7.62mm Type 51/7.62×25mm TT ammunition, albeit with louder discharge noise. A variant chambered in 5.8mm was explored but never entered service.
The submachine gun utilizes the same 30-round box magazines as the Type 64 and incorporates a steel shoulder stock that folds toward the right side.
Type 85 suppressed
This model features an integrated suppressor with a modified barrel and outer sleeve.
Users
- : Employed by Chinese special operations forces and Armed Police units.
- : Utilized during the 2008 Anjouan invasion.
- : Also participated in the 2008 Anjouan conflict.
Non-State Actors
- Tamil Tigers: LTTE Black Tiger operatives used suppressed Type 85s during their assault on Anuradhapura Air Force Base.