Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
Type 97 heavy machine gun
Category
Country
Production
1937–1945
Quantity
18,000
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) · INTERWAR PERIOD
6
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Production Year1937
- Service Entry Year1937
- Weight (Empty)12.4 kg
- Weight (Loaded)11.25 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersImperial Japanese Army, Imperial Japanese Navy, communist forces in Korean War
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
- Cartridge7.7×58mm Arisaka
- Calibre7.7 mm
- Case Length58 mm
- Calibre Classmedium
- Bullet Weight10.2 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation5MOD.5
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity20
- Cyclic Rate of Fire500
◇Ballistics3MOD.3
- Muzzle Velocity724 m/s
- Effective Range (point)540 m
- Maximum Range3,420 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
- Barrel Length700 mm
- Sight TypeBlade front sight and aperture rear sight
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction3MOD.3
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Total Production18,000
- Production Start1937
- Production End1945
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1927First deployment: Chinese Civil War
- 1937Production started
- 1945Production ended
89
years in service
8
years in production
18,000
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
TYPE 97 HEAVY MACHINE GUN · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
06 / MASS Score
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) RANKING Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Interwar Period
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
35LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)6INTERWAR PERIOD · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)87JAPAN · ALL WEAPONS38PERFORMANCE/PRICE · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)
ⓘ Rankings are within theLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources