T91 assault rifle
| 5.56mm T91 Combat Rifle | |
|---|---|
| File:TWT91 and T85GL.jpg Type 91 with grenade launcher. | |
| Type | Carbine |
| Place of origin | Taiwan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2003-present |
| Used by | Taiwan, Indonesia (unconfirmed), Jordan, Kuwait |
| Production history | |
| Designer | 205th Armory |
| Designed | 2001-2002 |
| Manufacturer | 205th Armory |
| Produced | 2003-present |
| No. built | around 140,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.17 kg |
| Length | 880 mm (stock extended) 800 mm (stock retracted) |
| Barrel length | 406 mm |
| Crew | 1 |
| Cartridge | 5.56 x 45 mm NATO, .223 Remington |
| Caliber | 5.56 mm (.223 in) |
| Action | gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 800-850 RPM |
| Muzzle velocity | 975 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 600 m |
| Maximum firing range | 800 m |
| Feed system | Various STANAG Magazines. |
| Sights | M16A2-style sights with windage and elevation adjustments |
Introduction
The 5.56mm T91 Combat Rifle (5.56公厘T91戰鬥步槍) is a product of the 205th Armory, Ministry of Defense, Republic of China (Taiwan). It is based on the proven T86 Combat Rifle while incorporating features from M16, AR18, HK G36, and other well-known foreign firearms. T91 is lighter and shorter than the T65 assault rifle it replaces, and has a 6-position telescopic stock to allow adjustment based on individual requirements.
History
T91 was a further development of the T86 Combat Rifle intended to replace the T65 series of assault rifles in ROC military service. Experience on the previous design and feedback from various users were incorporated into the T91. Development was completed in 2002, and volume production commenced in 2003.
Design
T91 is a gas-operated short-stroke, air-cooled, rotating bolt, magazine- or drum-fed, select-fire, modularized military rifle compatible with various tactical accessories. Similar to its predecessor, T91 is a cut-down version of the T65K2 assault rifle, giving the operator higher mobility and ease of aiming in confined space. A triangular handguard is used for improved handling and control.
T91 has a 4-position selector switch: S – safe, 1 – semi-automatic, 3 – three-round burst, and A – automatic. Like the T65K2, T91 utilizes a M16A2-style front post, rear peephole sight. The rear sight, mounted on the detachable handle, is adjustable for windage and elevation. Operation of the charging handle, magazine release, and bolt release are the same as the M16. One notable difference is that the T91 does not have a forward assist, and the brass deflector is not as pronounced.
Action of the T91 is based on the T65 series. However, parts are not interchangeable because the bolt lug on the T91 is shorter by 1mm. T91 also inherits the modularized gas piston system from the T86, allowing easy removal for maintenance without the risk of losing small parts.
The telescopic stock on the T91 is designed based on the experience of military and police personnel with the M4 Carbine. The resulting product has improved recoil transfer and handling qualities. A rubber recoil pad is also added for comfort.
T91 has a 407mm (16in) barrel with flash suppressor. Rate of rifling twist is 178mm (7in). Due to the use of a shorter barrel, the T91 has 20% more recoil than the T65K2. Average group size at 175m also increased by 10mm. The bore is chrome-lined for ease of maintenance. T91 can fire all 5.56 x 45mm NATO standard ammunition. Standard-issue 30-round magazines for the T91 feature indicator holes for the top 2-15 rounds as well as two protrusions on each side to avoid over-insertion. However, standard STANAG magazines may also be used.
Accessories
T91 is equipped with MIL-STD-1913 rails on the flat-top receiver, handguard, and the front-sight block. Any appropriate Picatinny rail accessory may be used on the said positions. The standard-issue detachable handle may be removed to accommodate a variety of optical sights and scopes.
T91 can also be equipped with the T85 40mm grenade launcher to serve as squad-level fire support.
Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology developed a T91 Combat Rifle indoor shooting simulator for infantry marksmanship training. This equipment is capable of simulating various weather, shooting distance, and wind conditions.
Production and Usage
In 2003, ROC Army ordered 101,162 T91 combat rifles as force-wide replacements of all service rifles. Delivery schedule was from 2004 to 2008. The total budget amount was NT$1,803 million (US$54.6 million), placing the unit price at about NT$17,800 (US$539). As of April 2006, nine ROCA armored, mechanized infantry, and infantry brigades have fully converted to the T91.
In 2005, ROC Military Police ordered 12,069 T91 combat rifles to equip garrison units in the Taipei capital region. Delivery would span over the next three years.
Export sales of the T91 to Jordan and Kuwait have been officially confirmed. Jordanian Defense Forces had reportedly conducted comparison tests between several service rifles in the desert environment. The T91 is found to have reliability comparable to the AK47, while scoring close to the M16 in terms of accuracy. It is also rumored that Indonesia procured as many as 10,000 T91 combat rifles from Taiwan.