Type 80 (pistol)

The Norinco Type 80 is a close-combat machine pistol that was used in China in the 1980s by the People's Liberation Army of China. It was developed by Norinco in the 1970s, influenced by the design of the German M712 Schnellfeuer. The Type 80 can be used in either single-shot mode or fully automatic fire mode; however, the chamber overheats after ten rounds of sustained automatic fire, risking accidental discharge.
History.
The Type 80 was built in the late 1970s as a personal defense weapon for vehicle crews and other military personnel of the People's Liberation Army of China. It was accepted into service in 1980.
Construction.
The Type 80 was created by refining and upgrading the design of the various Chinese copies of the imported German selective-fire M712 Schnellfeuer version of the Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" semi-automatic pistol that were produced and used in China in the 1930s.
The internal design is derived from the basic Mauser action, with a slight recoil of the barrel enabling the locking piece under the lightweight bolt. This enables the bolt to drop out of engagement and borrows from the later Westinger (rather than the Nickl) selector mechanism. There is an obvious family resemblance outlined with the C96 having the magazine well in front of the trigger, slender barrel and exposed hammer. The pistol has a permanent unregulated sight set at a distance of 50 m (the maximum effective distance when firing in bursts) and the selector permitted either single shots or automatic fire. The cyclic rate is believed to be around 850 rounds per minute. When firing bursts it is expected that the holster/stock or alternative metal shoulder stock would be attached to the slot at the back of the grip. The pistol grip itself has a more ergonomic shape than the traditional Mauser C96's "Broomhandle". Another slight difference is the slight forward slope to the magazine which is intended to give greater reliability in feeding.
The Type 80 was developed in the 1970s and introduced into service in 1980, it was intended to give service personnel such as tank crews an individual weapon compact enough to be carried as standard equipment. Whilst not having the range or power of an assault rifle, it would have been more accurate in carbine form than a simple pistol whilst also having the potential of automatic fire. During the 1930s, the Broomhandle pistols were highly prized in China, to the extent of becoming a status symbol.
Disadvantages.
The Type 80 was designed as a machine pistol for use in close combat situations. The pistol proved too unsuitable for sustained fully automatic fire. After cycling approximately ten cartridges, the chamber would overheat and risk accidental discharge.