China · Pistol
Norinco Type 59
Blowback (semi-automatic) · 9x18mm Makarov · introduced 1959
Also known as Type 59 Makarov, Type 59 pistol, Chinese Makarov
About the Norinco Type 59
The Norinco Type 59 is a Chinese semi-automatic pistol, a licensed copy of the Soviet Makarov PM chambered in 9x18mm Makarov. Adopted by the People's Liberation Army in 1959, it retains the Makarov's simple fixed-barrel blowback action, double-action/single-action hammer-fired trigger, and 8-round single-stack magazine. Chinese examples differ from Soviet originals through a blued finish, Chinese factory markings, a widened sight rail and a revised safety lever. It served as a standard Chinese officer and police sidearm for decades.
Adopted the same year as China's Type 56 rifle program, the Type 59 gave PLA officers a compact Makarov-pattern sidearm that remained in widespread service well into the late 20th century.
Norinco Type 59 specifications
General
- Type
- Pistol
- Action
- Blowback (semi-automatic)
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer-fired
- Trigger
- Double action
- Calibres
- 9x18mm Makarov
- Magazine capacity
- 8 rounds
- Magazine
- Detachable box magazine
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 93 mm (3.7 in)
- Overall length
- 162 mm (6.4 in)
- Height
- 127 mm (5.0 in)
- Width
- 34 mm (1.3 in)
- Weight (empty)
- 0.73 kg (1.61 lb)
Barrel
- Rifling
- 4 grooves, right-hand twist
- Grooves
- 4
Materials
- Barrel
- Steel
- Receiver / frame
- Steel
- Slide
- Steel
- Stock
- Bakelite
- Finish
- blued
Performance
- Muzzle velocity (typical)
- 314 m/s (1030 fps)
- Muzzle energy (typical)
- 312 J (230 ft·lb)
- Effective range
- 50 m
History
- Introduced
- 1959
- Production status
- Discontinued
- Country of origin
- CN
- Designer
- Nikolai Makarov (original design)
Features
- Fixed sights
- Single stack magazine
- Slide mounted safety
Safety
- Manual safety
- Decocker
Produced at Chinese state arsenals (including Factory 66) and later marketed for export through Norinco. A faithful Makarov derivative rather than an indigenous design.
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