Larry Vickers' Chicom Type 81S

**Heavy Metal** · 09-19-09, 21:02

Templar,

Is the pistol grip wood or Bakelite? Hard to tell from the pics.

**TOrrock** · 09-19-09, 21:03

Originally Posted by Heavy Metal

Templar,

Is the pistol grip wood or Bakelite? Hard to tell from the pics.

It's wood. Standard Chinese "chu" wood that's found on Chicom AK's.

**TOrrock** · 09-20-09, 11:28

It's also interesting to note that the Type 81 magazine is not compatable with the Type 56 (AK-47). The Type 81 has a different locking lug position and a bolt hold open feature.

So.....how many millions of Type 56's did the Chinese build, only to make a new rifle in the same caliber that can't accept those magazines......

Things that make you go hmmmmm.

**Heavy Metal** · 09-20-09, 12:01

My understanding is the Type 81 can use the AK mags(but the hold open will not activate) but the AK cannot use the Type 81 mag without changing the follower.

Is the muzzle cut for rifle grenades?

**TOrrock** · 09-20-09, 12:07

Originally Posted by Heavy Metal

My understanding is the Type 81 can use the AK mags(but the hold open will not activate) but the AK cannot use the Type 81 mag without changing the follower.

Is the muzzle cut for rifle grenades?

We actually tried both Euro and Chinese AK mags and they will not lock into the receiver at all....totally unuseable.

That's a grenade launcher on the muzzle now....

**Heavy Metal** · 09-20-09, 12:10

Could you dremel a mag and coax it to work?

**zchen** · 09-20-09, 12:14

here's a pic showing the difference between the type 81 and type 56 magazines. The notch cut in the type 81 is what allows the bolt hold open feature

The muzzle device was designed with use of rifle launch grenades in mind.

According to most Chinese sources I've read the Type 81 widely considered more reliable and accurate than the Type 56 by the PLA

**kal** · 09-20-09, 13:53

According to most Chinese sources I've read the Type 81 widely considered more reliable and accurate than the Type 56 by the PLA

To add a little more, the Chinese wanted an accurate and more controllable infantry rifle, in which their AK copy was not. So the type 81 came along using a short stroke system, as well as a longer receiver for a "constant recoil" effect to reduce the recoil caused by the reciprocating carrier group.

5.8mm Chinese versions also exist.

type 87

type 87A

The type 81 is supposed to have a left sided selector switch.