Best Type 81 model

[morp]

Build quality wise the LMG has the best fit and finish, and are the most accurate.
For its original intended use, the Side folders with sleeved barrels are the best for its length of pull and balance, mimics its Soviet contemporary.
The Underfolders are about 1 inch too long with lack of cheek weld, but has a superior barrel that is threaded.
All the fixed stocked models have a bad stock comb height, which was put together as a commercial after thought, poorly executed and was never military adopted for a reason unlike the Side folder.
People who complain about the short LOP are shooting these like fudd static bench guns, which is not how these are intended to be used.

If I recall, the LOP (length of pull) on the fixed stock is 13 1/2". LOP on the underfolder is more like 13 3/4" - 14". A cheek riser - cheap and readily available in 3D printed form on Gpost, or a more expensive Alu. model from Samson Manufacturing - makes the underfolder a whole lot more comfortable to shoot, and I would consider it a necessary upgrade if buying an underfolder

Other things to consider are your planned optics choice. As it stands, the underfolder is incompatible with the AK style side mount rails, which act as a saddle for the optic mounts. Only optic mount choice for the underfolder is the Delta Dynamics (Xfiretactical) red dot mount which is now sold out - has been for many months - with no plans for restock apparently. They do pop up occasionally on resale sites, but probably inflated prices, and still limits you to just a red dot without further modification (adding a longer pic rail to top would allow the use of more varied optic choices).

My preferred config was a fixed stock rifle model with OEM stock removed and a DD 1913 rear trunnion with an aftermarket folding stock on the back. Allows the benefits of the fixed stock model optic mounts (preferably MM side rail and full length MM rail - allows the biggest range of optic choice), with a stock that has the LOP and angle you are comfortable with.

As a side note, I believe all Type 81M models come with the heavy barrel found on the LMG model. That includes both the underfolder and the fixed stock models. All 81M barrels are threaded with M16x1 thread and come with a thread protector as standard.

 

[MisterJ]

Hey. I’m looking for my first type 81. Do you mean it’s length to rack it is too long?

No. The length of pull is the distance between the trigger and the end of the stock where it sits against your shoulder. I was ready to buy the underfolder until I held one at Taccom. It felt too long. The fixed stock version felt better.
I finally got round to shooting my lmg and really liked it.

 

[CowboyMaxy]

No. The length of pull is the distance between the trigger and the end of the stock where it sits against your shoulder. I was ready to buy the underfolder until I held one at Taccom. It felt too long. The fixed stock version felt better.
I finally got round to shooting my lmg and really liked it.

Okay . Thanks for replying.

 

[Goo98]

LMG by far. Just remove the carrying handle and bipod, what more do you need.

 

[Canuckguns]

The side folders build quality is just amazing. The metal finish/bluing is done so good, the hand guard is sleek not bulky, nice to shoot. Under folders are nice to but the phosphate finish isn’t the greatest gets scratched easily, hand guard is bulky just like the lmg.

 

[Curtton]

As a side note, I believe all Type 81M models come with the heavy barrel found on the LMG model. That includes both the underfolder and the fixed stock models.

the two differences are the length of the barrels and the attachment, LMG uses a longer barrel block that doesnt seems to cause a "bent".

 

[Rosomak]

There's no true answer because each model has its own pros and cons. Generally from what I've seen here's what to avoid. 1: 2017 initial imports. The first T81's especially the side folders had a massive QC issue with bent front trunnions which would commonly be referred to as having bent barrels. The barrels themselves were straight but in the assembly process the trunnion would possibly not be put in correctly resulting in a barrel that would be canted to the left or the right. The rifle could still be shot accurately when using the iron sights as the would still line up correctly however, this issue would make optic mounting almost impossible due to the deviation as even 1 mm to the left or right would significantly throw your shot off at 100 yds/m. Unfortunately this issue was overlooked in the initial import as turns out bent trunnions are fairly standard and considered in spec by the PLA. There is no fix to this issue unless you are capable of machining a new trunnion and fitting it in correctly. Thankfully this issue has since been addressed and mostly resolved 2: T81M under folders. They are a neat rifle, a nice variety change to the Canadian market, a great looking rifle and a nice throwback to some of norincos first EM series prototypes for the American market. The issue lies in its stock however. If comblock underfolders are known for anything it would be 2 things; stock creak and not being the most comfortable to use. Comblock underfolders can and most likely will develop stock creak and play with usage and time which can be annoying. The other issue is with the length of the stock itself. Unlike AK underfolders, the T81 underfolder has to be longer to accomodate for the mag which sits further away from the trigger than on an AK, though not an issue for some, this can result in a stock that has a rather large LOP. Aditionally, having an underfolder does further restrict you from optic mounting optics which are already limited on the T81 as is. The stock unfortunatley gets in the way of dovetail mounts and that leaves you with only a few options; leave the stock permanently open and fix a dovetail to the reciever, 2 get a rear sight mounted rail and mount an optic to it (can be hard to find and limits you to small collamitor sights), 3 find one of those lowpro adapters that mount to the hammer and trigger pin whithout obstructing the stock (these can also be difficult to find and also limit you in what sights you can run). The underfolder is a cool gun but, IMO unless you plan on running it stock, id say its worth saving and extra 100 or 200 and finding a fixed stock variant to run. As to what I would reccomend? If you want good quality and on a budget run an LMG, ive owned one before and they are great and fairly accurate. If you have the extra money and want something shorter or lighter with a fixed stock, try an 81M if you can find one cheap or a 2018 SE fixed stock, if you want a dragunov clone and are fine with limited mods, run an SR. If you have the money, want a light, compact gun thats built well and has a folding stock, run a 2018 SE folder.

 

[Murray 3-D]

People who complain about the short LOP are shooting these like fudd static bench guns, which is not how these are intended to be used.

Or they are shaped like a normal Caucasian. Rasputins #### is literally longer then a Type 81-1s buttstock lol

 

[Tomasaurus]

underfolder

 

[polskiogorki]

Side folder is the most comfortable and feels the best in hand. Underfolder is the best looking. The lmg and Sr are too heavy / bulky.
I have had all of the above including fixed stock. Only one I kept was Underfolder.
If they made a t81e with side folder, slim handguard and light barrel that would be the one on my wall.

 

[beltfed]

Fixed rifle for me. The rest of the models only offer attributes that amount to t!ts and lipstick on the base model rifle.

 

[gunman568]

Really depends what you are looking for in the rifle. In my opinion, the LMG is the best quality of the models. Its fit and finish is better, and even the stamping of the top cover is more detailed. The longer heavy barrel makes is nicer to shoot from a table at the range. The UF looks slick, but stock is a little wobbly. And the SE looks great as well, but seems to have very soft wood and finish is easily damaged. All the 3 that I have shot have has good barrel to trunnion alignment, at least by eye. Can't go wrong with either as long as they are in decent shape.