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W85 heavy machine gun
Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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W85heavymachinegun

Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) · People's Republic of China · 1980
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W85heavymachinegun

W85 heavy machine gun
W85 heavy machine gun Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Penetration
60
Effective Range
55
Firepower
70
Anti-Materiel Capability
65
Reliability
85
Barrel Endurance
75
Accuracy
60
Role Versatility
50
Portability
40
Cost-Effectiveness
70
Origin People's Republic of China
ManufacturerChina North Industries Group Corporation Limited
CategoryHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)
EraCold War
In service1980
Operators12 countries
Quantity88
Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
65
Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) MASS Rating
6/7
Cold War
25/46
All-Time
Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) · 10 axes scored
Penetration
60
Effective Range
55
Firepower
70
Anti-Materiel Capability
65
Reliability
85
Barrel Endurance
75
Accuracy
60
Role Versatility
50
Portability
40
Cost-Effectiveness
70
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the heavy machine guns (hmg) category.
01 / Overview
W85 heavy machine gun
Production
1980–
Quantity
88
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG) · COLD WAR
6
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
76
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
65
heavy machine guns (hmg) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the heavy machine guns (hmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
  • First Production Year1985
  • Service Entry Year1980
  • Weight (Empty)18.5 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)39 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
▣Operation6MOD.6
◇Ballistics7MOD.7
  • Muzzle Velocity850 m/s
  • Muzzle Energy20,800
  • Effective Range (point)1,500 m
  • Effective Range (area)2,000 m
  • Maximum Range6,800 m
  • Penetration20 mm
  • Accuracy3
◆Barrel & Sights7MOD.7
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
  • Production Start1985
  • Variants1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1980Production started
  2. 2003First deployment: War in Darfur
46
years in service
88
units produced
12
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
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.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) entry →