Zijiang M99

M99
Type	Semi-automatic Anti-materiel rifle
Place of origin	China
Service history
Used by	China Free Syrian Army
Wars	Syrian Civil War [1]
Production history
Manufacturer	Zijiang Machinery Company (Arsenal 9656) [2]
Produced	2005-present [2]
Variants	M99-II M06
Specifications
Weight	12 kg [3]
Length	150 cm [3]
Cartridge	12.7×108mm [3]
Action	Semi-automatic
Muzzle velocity	800 m/s [4]
Maximum firing range	1500 meters [2]
Feed system	5-round box magazine

The M99 is a semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle first introduced in 2005. It has since seen use by the People's Liberation Army Navy and Marine Corps in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden,^[2] and has been seen in the hands of various rebel groups involved in the Syrian Civil War.^[1]

Overview

The Type 99 is a lightweight, 12.7x108 mm, direct impingement gas-operated, anti-materiel rifle, with the design based on the Accuracy International AS50. It features a large muzzle brake to aid in the mitigation of the tremendous recoil produced by its cartridge. A 2006 trial conducted by the Pakistan Army indicated that the rifle is capable of 1.6 MOA accuracy with the appropriate precision ammunition.^[2] The acquisition of the M99 by rebel forces in Syria is thought to have been brokered through Qatar^[2] or Sudan.^[5]

Variants

• M99-II: .50 BMG variant.^[2][3]
• M06: Bullpup, drum magazine-fed variant.^[2]

Users

•  China: People's Liberation Army Navy ^[2] and People's Liberation Army Marine Corps ^[2][5]
•  Syria: Free Syrian Army ^[1]

See also

Accuracy International AS50
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing M82/M107

References

1. "Rival rebel factions fight in Syria's largest city". Retrieved 19 June 2014.
2. "The Chinese M99 50-caliber Anti-material rifle". Retrieved 19 June 2014.
3. "Modern Firearms - M99". Retrieved 19 June 2014.
4. "Defense Updates: NORINCO M99 / M06 12.7 mm anti-materiel rifle". Retrieved 19 June 2014.
5. "Syrian Rebels are using the Chinese M99 large-caliber Sniper Rifle". Retrieved 19 June 2014.