T-74

Notes: In the early 1970s, Taiwan decided to replace their US-built (and essentially cast-off) M-60 GPMGs with the FN MAG machinegun. However, they also bought a license to manufacture the MAG locally, modify the design to suit local manufacturing methods, and make some other modifications to the design. This resulted in the T-74 GPMG (also called the Type 74). For the most part the T-74 is still essentially a late-production MAG, but the T-74 has a barrel which is finned along part of its length to aid in cooling, and uses the bipod of an M-60 instead of the standard MAG bipod. The barrel the Taiwanese use is also longer than that of a standard MAG at 21.5 inches. It can also be fired from any NATO-type tripod or pintle mount, or any tripod or pintle mount designed for the MAG. The Taiwanese military also typically feeds their T-74s with 200-round disintegrating link belts instead of the standard 100-round belts used by the military forces of most countries using the MAG (though these belts are simply two standard NATO-type belts linked together; the 200-round belt is merely a usage doctrine and not a new type of belt); the T-74 can also use any belt that is compatible with a standard late-production MAG. The Taiwanese have developed plastic, metal, and canvas "assault packs" to attach to their T-74s which can hold up to 200-round belts for this purpose. They also often use a locally-designed AP round in the T-74. The T-74 is normally issued at the platoon level in the Taiwanese Army and Marines.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

T-74

7.62mm NATO

12.61 kg

50 Belt, 100 Belt, 200 Belt

$3120

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

T-74

5/10

4

2-3-Nil

8

2

6/12

69

(With Bipod)

5/10

4

2-3-Nil

8

1

3/6

90

(With Tripod)

5/10

4

2-3-Nil

8

1

1/3

138