Next Generations Variant Norinco Type 87 Assault Rifle

Norinco Type 87 Assault Rifle After the introduction of smaller-caliber rifles by the US, NATO, and then the Soviet Union and some of her satellite states, the Chinese began research into their own version of a small-caliber-firing military rifle. They were, however not totally convinced as to the effectiveness of the small-caliber military cartridge concept, and not impressed by either the 5.56mm NATO or 5.45mm Kalashnikov cartridges. The Chinese there decided to develop their own small-caliber military cartridge, eventually resulting in the 5.8mm Chinese cartridge.

However, the QBZ-95 Assault Rifle series was not the first weapon to be chambered for the new round; before the QBZ-95, there was the Type 87. The initial Type 87 was essentially a Type 81 with just enough modifications to enable it to fire the 5.8mm Chinese cartridge. In addition, the Type 87 was built only in a folding stock version, but not the same type of folding stock as the Type 81. In addition, the muzzle of the Type 87 has a different flash suppressor.

Type 87 Assault Rifle

The Norinco Type 87 Assault Rifle underwent extensive manufacturer and military evaluation; in addition, it also underwent limited field training with Chinese troops. Its reliability was found wanting; this is most likely because the gas system was not modified sufficiently to handle the new cartridge. It was also considered to be too heavy for a small-caliber-firing military rifle (especially since the Type 87 was supposed to have been much lighter than the Type 81). The Type 87 was therefore quickly withdrawn, without achieving any sort of operational status. In the late 1980s, the Chinese were still working on the Type 87 and had made a number of improvements to the rifle.

These improvements let to the Norinco Type 87A Assault Rifle. It was a much lighter rifle due to the extensive use of high-impact plastics and light alloys, and with a modified gas system, it was also much more reliable. A small production run of Type 87A rifles was ordered by the PLA about enough to equip one battalion of Chinese Airborne troops, who conducted the field tests. Though reportedly quite pleased with the Type 87A, they were trumped by higher command  the PLA brass didn’t feel that the Type 87A Assault Rifle was enough of a technological advance over the Type 81. The Norinco Type 87A Assault Rifle was therefore withdrawn from service, and again never reached any sort of operational status. The ultimate fate of the small production run of Type 87As actually built is unknown, but much of the technology and lessons learned from the Type 87 and Type 87A later went into developing the QBZ-95 and improving the 5.8mm Chinese cartridge.