Larry Vickers' Chicom Type 81S

Templar · #1 09-19-2009, 07:14 PM

To my knowledge, this is the first Type 81S that's been photographed and details put online. This is an EXTREMELY rare rifle, and we're lucky to be able to take a look at it.

The rifle is a very interesting mix of SKS, AK, and SVD features. After handling it, I think it's not anywhere in the same league as a Type 56, but it's a very unique piece.

This particular rifle now resides in the Vickers Collection, my thanks to Mr. Vickers for the opportunity to photograph it.

Externals

Internals

Templar · #2 09-19-2009, 07:14 PM

Business_Casual · #3 09-19-2009, 07:18 PM

Thank you Tim and thank you LAV. That is a very exclusive look at that rifle, surely not to be seen outside of museums in the USA.

Odd, though, to have a safety shaped like a trigger and inside the trigger guard.

M_P

JoshNC · #4 09-19-2009, 08:07 PM

Great pics. Thanks Tim and Larry. I assume this is a post-86 machinegun?

**M4arc** · #5 09-19-2009, 08:24 PM

WOW!

That is beautiful!

Spooky130 · #6 09-19-2009, 08:35 PM

There was an article in SAW about this model a little while ago.

Couple questions:
Is this a full-auto version?
Was this imported at one time as a semi-auto gun?
How does LAV get all these cool guns? I am assuming he has a SOT or something like that.

Spooky

Heavy Metal · #7 09-19-2009, 09:36 PM

I hate you Larry, I really, really hate you!

Just kidding!

m4fun · #8 09-19-2009, 09:50 PM

Very sweet. SKS like gas piston in an AK like that.

Thanks for sharing.

Heavy Metal · #9 09-19-2009, 09:51 PM

Tang Wenlie designed that bad boy.

I'll bet that sucker has better follow-thru than an AK because of its short stroke piston.

Templar · #10 09-19-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshNC

Great pics. Thanks Tim and Larry. I assume this is a post-86 machinegun?

Actually, no, it's one of the VERY few (we're talking single digits) imported as semi auto sales samples.

Spooky.....it's a pretty small community of collectors of Vickers' caliber.

Heavy Metal · #11 09-19-2009, 10:02 PM

Templar,

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

Templar · #12 09-19-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

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.

Templar · #13 09-20-2009, 12:28 PM

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 · #14 09-20-2009, 01:01 PM

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?

Templar · #15 09-20-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

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 · #16 09-20-2009, 01:10 PM

Could you dremel a mag and coax it to work?

zchen · #17 09-20-2009, 01:14 PM

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 · #18 09-20-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

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.

Okami099 · #19 09-20-2009, 03:51 PM

Very cool! Thanks for posting this!

DrMark · #20 09-20-2009, 05:15 PM

Very cool thread!