Type 86s

   The Chinese Type 86s rifle was produced by state arms factories during the late 1980s. This weapon was sold only for export, mainly for civilian customers. It is unknown if it was originally designed for the Chinese army. Some sources suggest, that it was designed for civilian market from the start. Less than 2 000 of these rifles were exported to USA in the late 1980s.

   The Type 86s is a gas operated weapon with bullpup layout. It is chambered for the Soviet 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition. It is a bullpup conversion of the Chinese Type 56 assault rifle (clone of the Soviet AKM). Some sources claim that many parts are interchangeable. It might have been inspired by the Finish Valmet M82, which appeared a couple of year earlier.

   Another reason why this weapon was not accepted to service with the PLA is that by the late 1980s the Type 56 and it's derivatives were declared obsolete in China and were produced only for the export market. It seems, that most of these weapons were produced for civilian customers with semi-automatic only configuration. However it is believed that it was also offered with a full-auto capability.

   This weapon has additional front grip, similar to that of the Austrian Steyr AUG. It makes weapon more controllable during fully automatic firing. When folded it acts as a forearm.

   Charging handle is located on top of the receiver, under the carrying handle. This rifle can be charged using either hand. A safety / fire mode selector switch is located on the right side of the housing above the pistol grip. In "safe" position it locks the bolt group and the trigger and also serves as a dust cover.

   This rifle is fed from 10-, 20- or 30-round magazines. It is also compatible with the standard 30-round magazines of AK-47 and it's variants as well as the high-capacity drum magazines.

   The Type 86s rifle has iron sights with rear diopter, built into the carrying handle. This weapon has a sighting range of 400 m. It seems that the carrying handle with integral sights was copied from the French FAMAS assault rifle.

   A detachable bayonet can be installed. A field toolkit is carried in the buttplate. A flash hider has a V-shape cut. It was designed to cut barbed wire by putting the end over the wire and firing.