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 99 light machine gun
Category
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
ⓘ 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
- Cartridge7.7×58mm Arisaka
- Calibre7.7 mm
- Case Length58 mm
- Calibre Class7.7mm
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation6MOD.6
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesautomatic
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity30
- Cyclic Rate of Fire550
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
- Muzzle Velocity715 m/s
- Muzzle Energy3,136
- Effective Range (point)2,000 m
- Maximum Range3,500 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
- Barrel Length550 mm
- Sight Typeiron sights
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelYes
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood
- Folding / Collapsing StockYes
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitybarrel replacement for 7.62×51mm NATO
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
- Total Production53,000
- Production Start1939
- Production End1945
- Variants1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1927First deployment: Chinese Civil War
- 1939Production started
- 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
1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→1950–1953Korean War—→1946–1954First Indochina War—→1937–1945Second Sino-Japanese War—→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
06 / MASS Score
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) RANKING Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · World War II
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
54LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)2WORLD WAR II · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)122JAPAN · ALL WEAPONS4PRICE · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)908PRICE · ALL WEAPONS55PERFORMANCE/PRICE · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)
ⓘ Rankings are within theLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)category.
📖 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