Chinese SVD Import - History of The Red Dragon SVD Type 79 / 85

Published on February 6, 2021
Duration: 21:28

This video details the history and development of the Chinese Type 79 and Type 85 sniper rifles, which are essentially clones of the Soviet SVD Dragunov. The narrative traces their origins back to the strained Sino-Soviet relationship, the capture of an SVD during the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War, and subsequent reverse-engineering. The presenter highlights the rifles' accuracy, particularly when using the correct ammunition, and discusses minor differences between the military and export versions.

Quick Summary

The Chinese Type 79 and Type 85 sniper rifles are clones of the Soviet SVD, developed due to strained Sino-Soviet relations and a captured SVD in 1979. Key differences include a 315mm barrel twist. Early accuracy issues were often due to using standard machine gun ammunition instead of specialized sniper rounds.

Chapters

  1. 00:08Intro: Chinese Sniper's Feat
  2. 00:48The Chinese Dragon SVD
  3. 01:15History: Type 79/85 Creation
  4. 01:26Korean War Context
  5. 03:59Sino-Soviet Relations Decline
  6. 06:14Late 50s: SVD Development
  7. 07:20China's Lack of SVD Access
  8. 08:25End of 70s: Geopolitical Pressure
  9. 09:031979 War & SVD Capture
  10. 10:04Reverse Engineering the SVD
  11. 10:24Type 79: The Clone
  12. 11:01Type 85: Improvements
  13. 11:42Export vs. Military Versions
  14. 12:43Accuracy Issues & Ammunition
  15. 13:51Type 85 Performance
  16. 14:30Chinese Sniper Ammunition
  17. 15:10Effectiveness in Combat
  18. 16:02Chinese SVD Development Summary
  19. 16:46Shooting Experience: Recoil & Blast
  20. 17:54Stock & Cheek Riser
  21. 18:55NDM 86 Performance Review
  22. 19:19Ammunition is Key for Accuracy
  23. 20:00Global Use & Effectiveness
  24. 20:26Type 85 vs. Real SVD
  25. 20:52Recommendation: NDM 86
  26. 21:07Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history behind the Chinese Type 79/85 sniper rifles?

The Chinese Type 79 and Type 85 sniper rifles are essentially clones of the Soviet SVD Dragunov. Their development was driven by strained Sino-Soviet relations and China's desire for indigenous sniper rifle capabilities, particularly after capturing an SVD during the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War.

What are the main technical differences between the Chinese Type 85 and the Soviet SVD?

The primary technical distinction is the barrel twist rate; the Chinese Type 79/85 utilizes a 315mm twist rate, whereas the original Soviet SVD has a different specification. Minor differences may also exist in the fire control group, especially in export models.

Why did early Chinese SVD clones reportedly have accuracy issues?

Early accuracy problems were often attributed to the use of standard 7.62x54R ammunition, which is typically designed for machine guns. The rifles performed significantly better when fed specialized sniper ammunition designed for the SVD platform.

Are export versions of the Chinese Type 85 different from military versions?

Yes, export versions of the Chinese Type 85, often sold by Norinco, may have modified fire control groups to comply with ATF export regulations. The military versions used by the Chinese armed forces are generally considered to have the same fire control group as the original Soviet SVD.

What is the perceived accuracy of the Chinese Type 85 sniper rifle?

The presenter found the Chinese Type 85 to be very accurate, stating it shot tighter groups than any original Soviet SVD they had previously handled. This performance is contingent on using the correct, specialized sniper ammunition.

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