Japanese Light Machine Guns: The Type 99 LMG

Published on May 28, 2019
Duration: 8:09

This expert-level review of the Japanese Type 99 Light Machine Gun, presented by Scott Howard of Machine Gun Dad, delves into its historical context, design influences, and practical shortcomings. The video highlights its transition to the 7.7mm caliber, its internal similarities to the Bren gun, and critiques various design elements such as the buttstock, monopod, bipod, and bayonet lug. The discussion emphasizes the rarity and NFA status of these firearms in the United States.

Quick Summary

The Japanese Type 99 Light Machine Gun is a rare and expensive NFA item in the United States. Internally, it's a good copy of the Bren gun, adopting the 7.7mm caliber. However, it features several design critiques, including an impractical buttstock, non-adjustable monopod, and a poorly designed bipod, often considered less efficient than British counterparts.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Guest
  2. 00:37Type 99 LMG Overview & NFA Status
  3. 01:05Historical Context & Predecessors
  4. 01:36Caliber Transition to 7.7mm
  5. 02:04Bren Gun Influence & Optics
  6. 02:33Dial Sight & Barrel Change
  7. 03:00Bayonet & Manufacturing Quality
  8. 03:29Japanese Design Flaws
  9. 03:47Monopod Design
  10. 04:15Buttstock Ergonomics
  11. 04:49Safety Mechanism
  12. 05:16Dust Cover
  13. 05:47Flash Hider & Barrel Cap
  14. 06:20Bipod Design Flaws
  15. 06:45Sling Swivels & History Preservation

Frequently Asked Questions

What caliber is the Japanese Type 99 Light Machine Gun?

The Japanese Type 99 Light Machine Gun adopted the 7.7mm round. This transition was part of a broader military effort to standardize on this caliber, aligning with the Type 92 heavy machine gun and the Type 99 rifle.

What historical firearms influenced the design of the Type 99 LMG?

Internally, the Japanese Type 99 LMG is considered a good copy of the British Bren gun. This influence is evident in several aspects of its design, though Japanese designers also incorporated their own unique, and sometimes impractical, features.

Are there any significant design flaws in the Type 99 LMG?

Yes, several design flaws are noted. These include an impractical curved buttstock, a non-adjustable monopod, a poorly designed bipod, and fragile screws on the optic sight. Japanese design choices are often described as idiosyncratic.

Is the Type 99 LMG a common firearm in the United States?

No, the Japanese Type 99 LMG is a rare and expensive NFA item in the United States. Owning a Class 3 registered version requires adherence to specific federal regulations.

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