QJZ-171
{{Infobox weapon
|name= Type 171 Heavy machine gun
|image=
|caption=
|origin=China
|type= Heavy machine gun
|is_ranged=yes
|service=
|used_by= China
|wars=
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=Norinco
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|number=
|variants=
|weight= {{convert|11.9|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (gun only)
{{convert|5.9|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (tripod)
|length=
|part_length= {{convert|787|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|crew=
|cartridge=12.7×108mm light-weight ammunition
| cartridge_weight =
| caliber =
| barrels =
|action= hybrid short-recoil and advanced primer ignition blowback
|rate=
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|range={{cvt|1500|m|yd}}
|max_range=
|feed= 60 rounds of belts in a container box
|sights= QMK-171 (5x) daylight optics
passive thermal imaging sight
}}
The QJZ-171, also known as the Type 171 heavy machine gun, is a Chinese heavy machine gun designed and manufactured by Norinco for the People's Liberation Army. It fires a type of specialized 12.7×108mm light-weight ammunition. Intended for mountainous terrain and high-altitude infantry operations, the QJZ-171 is one of the lightest heavy machine guns, with a weight comparable to general-purpose machine guns (GPMG) of other countries. The QJZ-171 entered PLA service, replacing the previous generation QJZ-89 heavy machine gun.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/qjz-171-the-lightest-weight-12-7x108-machine-gun-44817517 |title=QJZ-171 - The Lightest Weight 12.7x108 Machine Gun |website=The Firearms Blog |date=19 December 2024 |first=Lynndon |last=Schooler }}
Description
The QJZ-171 is designed as an ultra-lightweight heavy machine gun, similar to American XM312 and XM806. The machine gun system weighs {{convert|11.9|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}, which is comparable to M240 or FN MAG, and the tripod weighs {{convert|5.9|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}. The weight of combat configuration, which includes ammunition cartridges, belts, boxes, and scopes, is {{convert|9.5|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} lighter than the same configuration on QJZ-89.{{cite web |url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/I01701DQ0553P48Q.html |title=我国QJZ-171大口径机枪重量只有10.8公斤？单手拎着满山跑？(Verification on QJZ-171 weight. Is it only 10.8kg?) |website=NetEase News |date=17 March 2019 }} This is achieved by ammo containers made of plastic composites, lighter tripod, and a lighter type of 12.7×108mm ammunition. The empty weight of the gun alone is similar to its predecessor, the QJZ-89.
The gun features a free-floating barrel, improved muzzle brake, composite ammo belt with new lightweight ammunition, and titanium alloy gun parts to reduce recoil and weight.{{cite web|url=https://new.qq.com/omn/20210323/20210323A0BIBS00.html |title=国产新型重机枪：重量相当于轻机枪，1人拎着跑，轻到没朋友|language=Chinese |website=Tencent News |date=23 March 2021}} The machine gun is fitted with its own bipod attached to the receiver and can be carried by one infantry or served by a crew of two.{{cite web|url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/G0O8B9H50535R3RG.html |title= QJZ171大口径"轻"机枪下放到步兵班？理想丰满，现实骨感|language=Chinese |website=net ease News|date=20 January 2021}}
The machine gun is operated via an open-bolt and advanced primer ignition blowback mechanism with a recoiling barrel.{{cite web|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/556500358_120399893 |title=171山地机枪曝光，射击稳如老狗，我国轻武器一下追到世界前列 |website=SoHu |date=12 June 2022 }} The hybrid short recoil system reduces peak recoil, achieved with the barrel, gas system, and bolt assembly recoiling inside the outer housing.{{cite web|url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/china-machineguns/qjz171-12-7mm-2/ |title=12.7mm QJZ171 machine gun (China) |website=Modern Firearms }}
The weapon features several improvements to reduce weight, mitigate recoil and increase accuracy. The new 12.7mm armor-piercing incendiary round made of special alloy only weighs 100 grams. The gas system cycles the bolt group with the free-floating receiver recoils inside the outer gun housing to decrease recoil. Two sets of spring buffers are mounted around the receiver. The barrel is fitted with an improved multi-chamber muzzle compensator. Comparing to QJZ-89, the spread of QJZ-171 is improved to {{convert|10|cm|inch|1|abbr=on}} at {{convert|200|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}, and it can reliably hit targets with a radius of {{convert|24|cm|inch|1|abbr=on}} at {{convert|200|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}. At {{convert|1000|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}, the gun can engage vehicle-sized targets with a 70% hit probability.{{cite web|url=https://mil.news.sina.com.cn/china/2020-08-01/doc-iivhuipn6221688.shtml |title=我军测试新型重机枪：有4大优势 非常适合高原部队 |website=Sina News |date=1 August 2020 }}
Users
- {{flag|China}}: People's Liberation Army
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Modern Chinese Infantry Weapons}}
{{API blowback firearms}}
Category:Machine guns of the People's Republic of China