Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the heavy machine guns (hmg) category.
01 / Overview
W85 heavy machine gun
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1980–
Quantity
88
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG) · COLD WAR
6
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
76
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ 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
- Cartridge12.7×108mm
- Calibre12.7 mm
- Case Length108 mm
- Calibre Class12.7mm
- Bullet Weight48 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation6MOD.6
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesfull-auto
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire550
- Trigger Typesolenoid (QJC-88)
◇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
- Barrel Length1,000 mm
- Rifling Twist1:381mm (1:15 in)
- Rifling Grooves8
- Sight TypeIron sights
- Optic RailYes
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialpolymer
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularityvehicle mount (QJC-88)
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1985
- Variants1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1980Production started
- 2003First deployment: War in Darfur
46
years in service
88
units produced
12
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries12country
05 / MASS Score
HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG) RANKING Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
25HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG)6COLD WAR · HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG)182PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA · ALL WEAPONS22PERFORMANCE/PRICE · HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)category.
📖 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