5.8 x 42 mm DBP87
Encyclopedia
The 5.8×42mm / DBP87 is a rifle
cartridge
developed in the People's Republic of China. There is limited information on this cartridge, although the Chinese military claims that it is superior to the 5.56×45mm NATO and 5.45×39mm Soviet cartridges. Another variant called the 5.8×42mm “heavy round” was designed specifically for squad automatic weapons and sniper rifles. The 5.8×42mm “heavy round” cartridge has the same dimensions as the standard 5.8mm cartridge, but utilizes a longer streamlined bullet with a steel core for increased range and penetration.
cartridge used by the People's Liberation Army
(PLA). The Type 95
/ QBZ-95
(Chinese: 轻武器,步枪,自动, 1995; Pinyin: Qīng wǔqì, Bùqiāng, Zìdòng, 1995; literally "Light weapon, Rifle, Automatic, 1995") 5.8 mm caliber assault rifle, firing the 5.8×42mm / DBP87 or the improved DBP95, is now the standard issue weapon in the PLA.
In June, 2004, an improved version of the 5.8x42mm cartridge entered development as the matching ammunition for the revised assault rifle, Type 95-1. Both designs were finalized in 2010 and production began the same year. This new cartridge is known as DBP10.
of 930 m/s from a standard barrel (Type 95 / QBZ-95, 463 mm barrel length) and 940 to 960 m/s from the Type 95 SAW (557 mm barrel length), with a bullet weighing 4.15 grams. In order to save cost, several compromises have been made. In particular, the shell casing is made of steel, which is cheaper than brass. To reduce the chance of rust, the casing is covered in a thin layer of protective paint in dark brown. Steel is less flexible than brass and therefore does not fill the chamber cavity as well when fired, decreasing the performance. Furthermore, cheap but corrosive primer and propellant were chosen for DBP-87 initially. As China's military budget goes up over the years, the newer DBP-95 variant is loaded with a cleaner-burning propellant and a non-corrosive primer.
The 5.8×42mm DBP-88 “heavy round” cartridge has a muzzle velocity of 970 m/s from the Type 95 LSW / Type 95 SAW / QBB-95 (557 mm barrel length) and 895 m/s from the Type 88 / QBU-88 (620 mm barrel length). It has an effective range of 800 m and can penetrate 3 mm steel plates at a distance of 1000 m. It is reported to have very good accuracy at 600 meters.
A new match round has been designed for QBU-88 to improve the rifle's complained accuracy, though no official information has been given.
The People's Liberation Army
claims that the 5.8×42mm DBP87 has better penetration than the 5.56×45mm NATO and the 5.45×39mm M74.
The newest version, DBP10, having been designed to match all currently serving 5.8mm caliber weapons, will replace all previous 5.8x42mm rounds. Major improvements include a streamlined shape, non-corrosive primer, a reduction in the diameter of the steel core, and a change to copper-based alloy for the jacket (previously copper-coated steel).
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
cartridge
Cartridge (firearms)
A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm. The primer is a small charge of impact-sensitive chemical that may be located at the center of the case head or at its rim . Electrically...
developed in the People's Republic of China. There is limited information on this cartridge, although the Chinese military claims that it is superior to the 5.56×45mm NATO and 5.45×39mm Soviet cartridges. Another variant called the 5.8×42mm “heavy round” was designed specifically for squad automatic weapons and sniper rifles. The 5.8×42mm “heavy round” cartridge has the same dimensions as the standard 5.8mm cartridge, but utilizes a longer streamlined bullet with a steel core for increased range and penetration.
History
China started development of the 5.8×42mm / DBP87 in 1979 and finished in 1987. The 5.8×42mm / DBP87 was designed to replace the Soviet 7.62×39mm7.62×39mm
The 7.62×39mm round is a rifle cartridge of Soviet origin that was designed during World War II. It was first used in the RPD machine gun. Due to the worldwide proliferation of the SKS and AK-47 pattern rifles, the cartridge is utilized by both militaries and civilians alike.The 7.62×39mm...
cartridge used by the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
(PLA). The Type 95
Type 95
Type 95 can refer to:* Type 95 Ha-Go, a Japanese light tank* Type 95 recon car* Type 95 SPAAA, a Chinese anti-aircraft vehicle* Type 95 torpedo* QBZ-95, Chinese assault rifle* QBB-95, Chinese light support weapon...
/ QBZ-95
QBZ-95
The QBZ-95 is an assault rifle manufactured by Arsenal 266, part of Norinco and Arsenal 296, under Jianshe Corp, China South for the People's Liberation Army, the armed forces of the People's Republic of China, Chinese People's Armed Police , and Chinese law enforcement. This weapon uses a...
(Chinese: 轻武器,步枪,自动, 1995; Pinyin: Qīng wǔqì, Bùqiāng, Zìdòng, 1995; literally "Light weapon, Rifle, Automatic, 1995") 5.8 mm caliber assault rifle, firing the 5.8×42mm / DBP87 or the improved DBP95, is now the standard issue weapon in the PLA.
In June, 2004, an improved version of the 5.8x42mm cartridge entered development as the matching ammunition for the revised assault rifle, Type 95-1. Both designs were finalized in 2010 and production began the same year. This new cartridge is known as DBP10.
Performance
The 5.8×42mm / DBP-87/95 cartridge has a muzzle velocityMuzzle velocity
Muzzle velocity is the speed a projectile has at the moment it leaves the muzzle of the gun. Muzzle velocities range from approximately to in black powder muskets , to more than in modern rifles with high-performance cartridges such as the .220 Swift and .204 Ruger, all the way to for tank guns...
of 930 m/s from a standard barrel (Type 95 / QBZ-95, 463 mm barrel length) and 940 to 960 m/s from the Type 95 SAW (557 mm barrel length), with a bullet weighing 4.15 grams. In order to save cost, several compromises have been made. In particular, the shell casing is made of steel, which is cheaper than brass. To reduce the chance of rust, the casing is covered in a thin layer of protective paint in dark brown. Steel is less flexible than brass and therefore does not fill the chamber cavity as well when fired, decreasing the performance. Furthermore, cheap but corrosive primer and propellant were chosen for DBP-87 initially. As China's military budget goes up over the years, the newer DBP-95 variant is loaded with a cleaner-burning propellant and a non-corrosive primer.
The 5.8×42mm DBP-88 “heavy round” cartridge has a muzzle velocity of 970 m/s from the Type 95 LSW / Type 95 SAW / QBB-95 (557 mm barrel length) and 895 m/s from the Type 88 / QBU-88 (620 mm barrel length). It has an effective range of 800 m and can penetrate 3 mm steel plates at a distance of 1000 m. It is reported to have very good accuracy at 600 meters.
A new match round has been designed for QBU-88 to improve the rifle's complained accuracy, though no official information has been given.
The People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
claims that the 5.8×42mm DBP87 has better penetration than the 5.56×45mm NATO and the 5.45×39mm M74.
The newest version, DBP10, having been designed to match all currently serving 5.8mm caliber weapons, will replace all previous 5.8x42mm rounds. Major improvements include a streamlined shape, non-corrosive primer, a reduction in the diameter of the steel core, and a change to copper-based alloy for the jacket (previously copper-coated steel).
Use
- Chinese Type 87 / QBZ-87 Assault rifleAssault rifleAn assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
- Chinese Type 95QBZ-95The QBZ-95 is an assault rifle manufactured by Arsenal 266, part of Norinco and Arsenal 296, under Jianshe Corp, China South for the People's Liberation Army, the armed forces of the People's Republic of China, Chinese People's Armed Police , and Chinese law enforcement. This weapon uses a...
/ QBZ-95QBZ-95The QBZ-95 is an assault rifle manufactured by Arsenal 266, part of Norinco and Arsenal 296, under Jianshe Corp, China South for the People's Liberation Army, the armed forces of the People's Republic of China, Chinese People's Armed Police , and Chinese law enforcement. This weapon uses a...
Assault rifle - Chinese Type 95 LSW / Type 95 SAW / QBB-95QBB-95The QBB-95 is the light support weapon variant of the Chinese Type 95 family. Based on the QBZ-95, the standard issue to most PLA units, most parts and ammunition of them are interchangeable...
Light support weapon / Squad automatic weapon - Chinese Type 95B / QBZ-95B CarbineCarbineA carbine , from French carabine, is a longarm similar to but shorter than a rifle or musket. Many carbines are shortened versions of full rifles, firing the same ammunition at a lower velocity due to a shorter barrel length....
- Chinese Type 88QBU-88The QBU-88 sniper rifle is a designated marksman/sniper rifle deployed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army.- History :The QBU-88 rifle was the first weapon of the newest generation of Chinese small arms, chambered for proprietary 5.8 x 42 mm ammunition...
/ QBU-88QBU-88The QBU-88 sniper rifle is a designated marksman/sniper rifle deployed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army.- History :The QBU-88 rifle was the first weapon of the newest generation of Chinese small arms, chambered for proprietary 5.8 x 42 mm ammunition...
Sniper rifleSniper rifleIn military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military... - Chinese Type 03QBZ-03The QBZ-03 assault rifle is a gas operated, selective-fire weapon and is the latest assault rifle design developed for the Chinese 5.8 x 42 mm DBP87 ammunition. Unlike the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-03 is a weapon of conventional design loosely inspired by other rifles previously in Chinese service...
/ QBZ-03QBZ-03The QBZ-03 assault rifle is a gas operated, selective-fire weapon and is the latest assault rifle design developed for the Chinese 5.8 x 42 mm DBP87 ammunition. Unlike the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-03 is a weapon of conventional design loosely inspired by other rifles previously in Chinese service...
Assault rifle - Chinese Type 88 / QJY-88QJY-88The QJY-88 general-purpose machine gun is a Chinese machine gun.-External links:* *...
General purpose machine gunGeneral purpose machine gunA general-purpose machine gun is a multi-purpose weapon: it is a machine gun firing a full-power rifle cartridge and which can be used in a variety of roles, from a bipod- or tripod-mounted infantry support weapon to a helicopter door gun or a vehicle-mounted support weapon... - Chinese Carbine portion ZH-05
