Vol. XI No. 1

The Canadian Kalashnikov: Chinese Type 81 Semi-automatic Variants for the Canadian Market (Part I)

Justin Baird

Abstract

The Canadian commercial firearms market has been unstable due to relatively sudden firearms bans, leaving several arms manufacturers hesitant to import their arms into Canada—often finding success in the United States instead. However, several companies have managed to stand the test of time in the Canadian market and have provided unique arms to Canada that are rarely available in the rest of the world. Amongst these are the Chinese-state owned firearms manufacturers Norinco and Poly Technologies, who have manufactured several new models of Type 81 rifle exclusively for the Canadian market. However, as of 6 December 2024, the Canadian government has prohibited these firearms as part of an extensive ban on 324 models of firearms they deemed to be “assault-style” weapons. As these rifles are no longer available for purchase, this work can fully explore the unique variants of the roughly 20,000 Type 81 rifles that were produced by Poly Technologies specifically for the Canadian commercial firearms market. This includes information on the first approval of the rifles by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, first imports, changes and development of the different models, their reception, and the effect they have had on Canadian sports shooting.

Issue: Vol. XI No. 1
Published: 31 August, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52357/armax12082

Peer-reviewed?: Yes

Keywords: Norinco, Poly Technologies, Type 81, Semi-automatic Rifles, Canadian Market, Tactical Imports

Bibliographic Information

Justin Baird, ‘The Canadian Kalashnikov: Chinese Type 81 Semi-automatic Variants for the Canadian Market (Part I)’, Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, Vol. XI № 1 (2025), pp. 77–93, <https://doi.org/10.52357/armax12082>.

About the Author

Justin Baird is a Canadian graphic designer and firearms researcher. He began his career studying Graphic Design & Marketing at Georgian College in Ontario before going on to form his own design and marketing business. He currently serves as the multimedia designer for Helios House Press, Headstamp Publishing, and Armament Research Services (ARES), among others. Mr Baird was awarded the 2024 Cody Firearms Museum Early-career Fellowship for his work on the history of the Krag– Jørgensen rifle. Mr Baird’s primary research interests include the history and development of nineteenth-century small arms in Scandinavia and the history of Canadian firearms development and gunsmithing, both before and after the 1867 Confederation. He has published previous work in Armax, where he briefly covers the development history of the Krag– Jørgensen rifle, up until its adoption in Demark as the Gevær 1889.