The Chinese QJY-201 7.62×51 Machine Gun
The QJY-201, a machine gun with unique features, was publicly unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow in September 2021. It is chambered in 7.62×51 and bears the ammunition type designation DJP-201 which suggests it’s more than an export machine gun. Over the past few years, China has been transitioning from 7.62x54R to 7.62×51 sniper rifles and machine guns.
The QJY-201 patent reveals a gas-operated system that employs a hybrid short recoil system. This innovative design effectively harnesses energy from the weapon’s recoil, allowing the barrel and bolt to move together rearward to absorb energy before unlocking. This enhances control and accuracy during firing and mitigates excessive or harsh recoil. The system also operates in the open bolt to aid in cooling and to reduce cook-off potential with ammunition in the hot chamber.
The QJY-201 machine gun is constructed with aluminum, which allows the receiver to be designed with a weight reduction, such as lightweight material. An aluminum receiver with a steel trunnion assembly also houses the two springs that allow the barrel to be cushioned and returned during operation. The weapon system’s weight is 17.6 lbs. (8 kg), comparable to the PKM weight. Utilizing these lightweight alloys significantly reduces the overall weight, enhancing the soldier’s mobility and ease of use, a feature that will surely be appreciated in the field.
The machine gun has two position selectors, safe and fully automatic. Other controls include the folding charging handle on the right side of the weapon and a multi-position gas regulator. On the left side of the receiver, a bulge housing the feed paw assembly is located. The feed paw arm runs in a track in the bolt carrier and moves the feed paw laterally to pull the ammunition belt into the feeding position. The bolt carrier assembly, bolt, and firing pin are very similar to the PKM in design. The machine gun belts are steel disintegrating links identical to the US M-13 links in design.
Other stats on the QJY-201 rate of fire are between 650 and 750 rounds per minute. The various gas settings will adjust the fire rate and accommodate operating dirty or different environmental conditions. The effective range is 800-1500 meters (875-1640 yards), and the maximum is 3700 meters (4046 yards).
Changing the barrel of the QJY-201 is a straightforward process, similar to the US M-249 light machine gun. The bolt is locked to the rear to unlock from the barrel extension, and the barrel locking lever is disengaged, allowing the operator to remove the barrel with the carrying handle. The carrying handle’s folding button facilitates the process, helping to lock the handle in the stowed position or change the carry or barrel to the upright position. This user-friendly design ensures a quick and efficient barrel change, boosting the operator’s confidence in the gun’s performance.
The muzzle device is birdcage-type, featuring what appears to be a toothed collar for a ratcheting suppressor locking mechanism. This may imply a suppressor designed for the machine gun. It is currently unknown if any gas settings are dedicated to suppressor use.
One potential downside to the system in adverse environments such as sand or dust tests would be debris accumulated in the spring and dual rod assembly, especially for the reciprocating barrel for the short recoil system. These are retained in the front trunnion when the barrel is removed.
The QJY-201 is being offered for export. However, the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force may adopt it as either a medium machine gun or a General-Purpose Machine Gun. This adoption would provide a modernized weapon system with ammunition compatibility with Western standards. The weapon’s operation would depend on the Chinese 7.62×51 DJP-201 load data specifications and its similarity to the US 7.62×51 M-80 ammunition.
If the QJY-201 is adopted, it could serve as a counterpart to the US M240 series, but with a noticeable weight reduction. However, the tripod advertised with the system is lacking, similar to most Eastern machine gun tripods, which diminishes the overall effectiveness of the machine gun. An improved traverse and elevation mechanism would significantly enhance the weapon’s performance in the medium machine gun role, creating a more competitive option alongside the M240 series.
To effectively utilize this new machine gun on the battlefield, the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s doctrine must be modernized and updated to mirror Western machine gun doctrine closely. This modernization could present significant challenges, such as the need to incorporate better machine gun training and structure; it could also lead to a more effective and competitive force. Otherwise, most adversaries may use systems like the PKM, which would typically use the general-purpose machine gun by the bipod only as a squad automatic weapon. It may be able to examine the machine gun through export or conflict to assess its capability and how it compares to its Western counterparts.