5.8×21 DAP-92-5.8

Chinese designers began development of a new small-bore, pistol and sub-machine gun cartridge in around 1994. They copied the concept of the Belgian 5.7×28 cartridge / weapons system, and so far this ammunition has been used in one military-type pistol and several prototype sub-machine guns; neither these weapons nor the ammunition has so far been offered for export from China. The main goal of this cartridge is to provide users with significant penetration against military helmets and body armor at ranges up to and beyond 50 metres. According to available information, the current versions of the DAP92-5.8 cartridge use composite core bullets, with steel front and lead rear parts of the core.

The DAP 92-5.8 cartridge uses a lacquered steel case of rimless, bottlenecked design. The standard bullet type is FMJ with a composite core. Penetration is given as “guaranteed penetration of PLA-issue steel helmet (1.3mm steel) at 100 metres plus 5 cm (2 inches) of pine wood behind”. Apparently, a subsonic load is also available, with a muzzle velocity of about 290 m/s; bullet weight for this round is unknown so far.

Designation

Manufacturer

Bullet weight, g

Muzzle velocity, m/s

Muzzle energy, J

Comments

5.8 DAP92

3

480 (*

345

5.8 DCV05

4

290

168

for use in suppressed weapons

*) Muzzle velocity is given for QSZ-92 pistol