5.8 X 42 CHINESE
| Calibre | 5.8 X 42 |
| In the cabinet | METRIC MILITARY UP TO 5.99mm · 10 images |
Research notes
China started development of the 5.8×42mm / DBP87 in 1979 and finished in 1987. The 5.8×42mm / DBP87 was designed to replace the Soviet 7.62×39mm cartridge used by the People's Liberation Army. The Type 95 / QBZ-95 (Chinese: 轻武器,步枪,自动, 1995; Pinyin: Qing wuqì, Bùqiang, Zìdòng, 1995; literally "Light weapon, Rifle, Automatic, 1995") 5.8mm caliber assault rifle, firing the 5.8×42mm / DBP87 or the improved DBP95, is now the standard issue weapon in the PLA. The 5.8×42mm is an example of an international tendency towards relatively small sized, light weight, high velocity military service cartridges. Cartridges like the American 5.56×45mm NATO, Soviet 5.45×39mm and 5.8×42mm allow a soldier to carry more ammunition for the same weight compared to their larger and heavier predecessor cartridges, have favourable maximum point-blank range or "battle zero" characteristics and produce relatively low bolt thrust and free recoil impulse, favouring light weight arms design and automatic fire accuracy.
The right hand specimen with 71 14 headstamp is a dummy loading with a translucent plastic primer filling.
This was taken from some form of trench art as can be seen on the solder marks on the case
