TheType 87 (Chinese:87式自动步枪) is a Chinese-designedselective-fire,gas-operatedassault rifle.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army attempted to replace theType 56 assault rifle and theType 56 carbine, which led to a failed adoption of theType 63[1][2].
Consecutively[3], the1979 Sino-Vietnamese War acclerated the PLA's need for a modernised service rifle, which led to the birth of theType 81.
Thus, the Type 81 was redesigned into the Type 87, as a development platform for the next generation of PLA small arms which was finalized in 1987[4][5].
The Type 87 is similar to the Type 81 except that it has a plastic furniture and an L-shaped folding stock[6].
The Type 87 served as a test-bed for the then new 5.8×42mm DBP87 ammunition, which was later used byQBZ-95,QBZ-03 andQBZ-191 as the standard issue rifle ammunition.
The Type 87 could be equipped with DQJ03、DQP-1 and DQD-1 rifle grenades, while being issued with the Type 87 bayonet, the firstknife bayonet in PLA service.
Prototype assault rifle designed from late 1987 to 1989 as a facelift for the Type 87 in anticipation of the 1989National Day parade, known as the "Project 8910"[7][8].
The rifle features a two-piece polymer handguard with improved ventilation, polymer magazines, and polymer pistol grip.
Limited production began in spring of 1989. It never went into full-scale production but has been in service with PLA special forces.
Prototype light machine gun based on the Type 87 design, also known as the QJB87[8].
Redesigned and modernised Type 87 rifle.
While the Type 87 never went into full-scale production and was soon replaced, it remains in PLA service in limited numbers.
