Chinese submachine gun technology has come a long way in the past 50 years. From the days of chop-shop PPSh-41 variants through the copies of Thompson submachine guns and M3 Greaseguns, a very efficient and high-technology infrastructure has evolved. Westerners may not be quick to understand the devotion the Chinese have to developing the manufacturing base in their defense industry. There are reportedly over 10,000 students at any given time who attend engineering courses related to defense design and small arms design.
The Chinese are keeping what they consider the best to themselves – their basic weapon systems in the 5.8mm cartridge types. The Type 05 submachine gun in the 5.8x21mm indigenous caliber is not for export. This bullpup style polymer based open bolt submachine gun with its integrated but detachable suppressor is accurate, robust, and well thought out. The export version is called the “JS” submachine gun, and it is in 9x19m. There are other submachine guns made in China at present. The Type 85 is an advance on the old Type 64 design with its proprietary 7.62mm cartridge, and the Chang Feng series of submachine guns are active for export and police use.
CS/LS06 9mm sub-machine gun (produced by ChongQing ChangFeng firearms manufacturing company),equipped by SWAT team: