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Type 99 light machine gun
Photo: Skaarup.HA · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Type99lightmachinegun

Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Japan · 1939
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Type99lightmachinegun

Type 99 light machine gun
Type 99 light machine gun Photo: Skaarup.HA · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
60
Effective Range
55
Accuracy
65
Reliability
70
Portability
75
Ammunition Capacity
50
Barrel Endurance
60
Controllability
70
Versatility
55
Cost-Effectiveness
65
Origin Japan
CategoryLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)
EraWorld War II
In service1939–1945
Operators4 countries
Quantity53,000
Data Quality88%
62
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) MASS Rating
2/4
World War II
54/75
All-Time
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
60
Effective Range
55
Accuracy
65
Reliability
70
Portability
75
Ammunition Capacity
50
Barrel Endurance
60
Controllability
70
Versatility
55
Cost-Effectiveness
65
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
Type 99 light machine gun
Country
Production
1939–1945
Quantity
53,000
Unit Price (current)
$6.9K↗ 2090% inflation · 1941→2025
Original Price
$316 (1941)
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) · WORLD WAR II
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
70
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$6.9K
Original: $316 (1941)
Inflation: +%2090
62
light machine guns (lmg/saw) category
ⓘ 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 Year1939
  • Service Entry Year1939
  • DesignerKijiro Nambu
  • Weight (Empty)10.4 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersJapan, Indonesia, North Korea, Vietnam
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
▣Operation6MOD.6
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
  • Muzzle Velocity715 m/s
  • Muzzle Energy3,136
  • Effective Range (point)2,000 m
  • Maximum Range3,500 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
  • Total Production53,000
  • Production Start1939
  • Production End1945
  • Variants1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1927First deployment: Chinese Civil War
  2. 1939Production started
  3. 1945Production ended
87
years in service
6
years in production
53,000
units produced
4
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
TYPE 99 LIGHT MACHINE GUN · CONFLICTS SERVED IN25% win
Total Conflicts
4
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE8terms
A bayonet lug is a metal fitting on the barrel or muzzle of a firearm that provides a mounting point for a bayonet.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
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.
A pistol barrel with external helical grooves allowing the attachment of a suppressor or other muzzle devices.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) entry →