1.

Type 56 assault rifle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the Chinese SKS variant of the same designation, see SKS Variants.
Chinese Norinco Type 56

The Type 56 with a spike bayonet

Type

Assault rifle

Place of origin

China

Service history
In service

1956present

Used by

See Users

Wars

Vietnam War

See other conflicts and

wars

Production history
Designed

1947

Manufacturer

Norinco

Bangladesh Ordnance
Factories (License-made)

Produced

1956present

Number built

1015 million[1]

Variants

Type 56 Assault Rifle, Type 56-1

Assault Rifle, Type 56-2 Assault
Rifle, Type 56-4 Assault Rifle QBZ56C Assault Rifle, Type 56S, Type
84S rifle

Specifications
Weight

Type 56: 4.03 kg (8.88 lb)

Type 56-1: 3.70 kg (8.16 lb)
Type 56-2/56-4: 3.9 kg (8.60 lb)
QBZ-56C: 2.85 kg (6.28 lb)

Length

Type 56: 874 mm (34.4 in)

Type 56-1/56-2: 874 mm (34.4 in)
w/ stock extended,654 mm (25.7 in)
w/ stock folded.
QBZ-56C: 764 mm (30.1 in) w/
stock extended,557 mm (21.9 in) w/
stock folded.

Barrel length

Type 56, Type 56-I, Type 56-II:

414 mm (16.3 in)
QBZ-56C: 280 mm (11.0 in)

Cartridge

7.6239mm

Caliber

7.62mm

Action

Gas-operated, rotating bolt

Rate of fire

650 rounds/min [2]

Muzzle velocity

Type 56, Type 56-I, Type 56-II: 735

m/s (2,411 ft/s)
QBZ-56C: 665 m/s (2182 ft/s)

Effective firing range

100800 m sight adjustments.

Effective range 300-400 meters

Feed system

20, 30, or 40-round detachable box

magazine

Sights

Adjustable Iron sights

The Chinese Norinco Type 56 is a variant of the Russian designed and produced AK47 and AKM assault rifles.[3]Production started in 1956 at State Factory 66, and since then it has
been produced by Norinco, who continue to produce the rifle primarily for export.
2.

Contents

[hide]

3.

1Service history

2Compared to AK-47 and AKM

3Variants

4Other Type 56 weapons

5Users

6See also

7References

8External links

Service history[edit]

The Type 56 is a widely proliferated variant of the AK-47. While the exact production figures are
unknown, it is estimated[by whom?] that 10 to 15 million Type 56 rifles have been produced since the
1950s.
During the Cold War period, the Type 56 was exported to many countries and guerilla forces
throughout the world. Many of these rifles found their way to battlefields in Africa, Southeast Asia,
and the Middle East and were used alongside other Kalashnikov rifles from both the Soviet Union as
well the Warsaw Pact nations of Eastern Europe.
Chinese support for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam before the mid-1960s meant that the Type
56 was frequently encountered by American soldiers in the hands of either Vietcong guerrillas
or PAVN soldiers during the Vietnam war. The Type 56 was discovered in enemy hands far more
often than regular Russian-made AK-47s or AKMs.[4]
When relations between China and the North Vietnam crumbled in the 1970s and the SinoVietnamese War began, the Vietnamese government still had large numbers of Type 56 rifles in its
arsenals, while the People's Liberation Army still used the Type 56 as its standard weapon. Thus,
Chinese and Vietnamese forces fought each other using the same Type 56 rifles.

A pair of Type 56-2 rifles and a Type 69 RPG.

The Type 56 was used extensively by Iranian forces during the IranIraq War of the 1980s,
with Iran purchasing large quantities of weapons from China for their armed forces. During the
war, Iraq also purchased a small quantity, despite them being a major recipient of Soviet weapons
and assistance during the war. This was done in conjunction with their purchasing of large number
of AKMs from the USSR and Eastern Europe. Consequently, the IranIraq War became another
conflict in which both sides used the Type 56.
Since the end of the Cold War, the Type 56 has been used in many conflicts by various military
forces. During the Croatian War of Independence and the Yugoslav Wars, it was used by the armed
forces of Croatia. During the late 1990s, the Kosovo Liberation Army in Kosovo were also major
users of the Type 56, with the vast majority of the weapons originating from People's Socialist
Republic of Albania, which received Chinese support during much of the Cold War.
In the United Kingdom and the United States, the Type 56 and its derivatives are frequently used in
the filming of movies and television shows, standing in for Russian-made AK-47s due to the rarity of
original AK-47s, with some even being visually modified to resemble other AK-series rifles. Versions
of this weapon that have the full-auto firing ability deleted (referred to as "sporter" rifles) are also
available for civilian ownership in most parts of the United States.

A Type 56-2 rifle with stock folded.

In the mid-1980s, Sri Lanka started to replace their L1A1 Self-Loading Rifles (SLR) and HK G3s with
the Type 56. Currently, they use the fixed stock, under-folding stock and side-folding stock variants.
The Type 81, Type 95 and Type 03 replaced Type 56 in PLA front line service, but the Type 56
remains in use with reserve and militia service. Type 56s are still in production by Norinco for export
customers.
During the Soviet war in Afghanistan in the 1980s, many Chinese Type 56 rifles were supplied to
Afghan Mujahideen guerrillas to fight Soviet forces by the China, Pakistan and the US who obtained
them from third party arms dealers.[5]
Bangladesh Navy sailor fires a Type 56-2 rifle.

Use of the Type 56 in Afghanistan also continued well into the 1990s and the early 21st century as
the standard rifle of the Taliban. When Taliban forces seized control of Kabul in 1996 (a majority of
the Chinese small arms used by the Taliban were provided by Pakistan).[4]

Since the overthrow of the Taliban by U.S.-led Coalition forces in late 2001, the Chinese Type 56
assault rifle has been utilized by theAfghan National Army, with many rifles serving alongside other
AK-47 and AKM variant rifles.
The Type 56 has been seen regularly in the hands of militants from the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam
Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas in thePalestinian territories.
The Type 56 has been used by the Janjaweed in the Darfur region of Sudan with pictures and news
footage showing members of the Janjaweed carrying Type 56 rifles (most of them provided by the
Sudanese government).
In 1987, Michael Ryan used a legally owned Type 56 rifle, and two other firearms, in the Hungerford
massacre in the United Kingdom, in which he shot 32 people, 17 of whom died. The attack led to the
passage of Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988, which bans ownership of semi-automatic centre-fire
rifles and restricts the use of shotguns.[6]
In the United States, a Type 56 rifle, purchased in Oregon under a false name, [7] was used in the
1989 Stockton schoolyard shooting in which Patrick Purdy fired over 100 rounds to shoot one
teacher and 34 children, killing five. The shooting led to the passage of California's Roberti-Roos
Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989.[8]

4.

Compared to AK-47 and AKM[edit]

Type 56-1 (left), Type 84S (center), and Type 56 (right). Note that the Type 56 rifles in this image have been
fitted with the distinctive slant compensator of the AKM, a feature not found on the original Type 56

The gas-operated mechanism of a Type 56 rifle.

Originally, the Type 56 was a direct copy of the AK-47, and featured a milled receiver, but starting in
the mid-1960s, the guns were manufactured with stamped receivers much like the Soviet AKM.
Visually, most versions of the Type 56 are distinguished from the AK-47 and AKM by the fully
enclosed hooded front sight (all other AK pattern rifles, including those made in Russia, have a
partially open front sight). Many versions also feature a folding bayonet attached to the barrel just aft
of the muzzle. There are three different types of bayonets made for Type 56 rifles. The first type 56s
were near identical copies of the Soviet milled AK-47. It is speculated[by whom?] that the Chinese had to
reverse engineer a copy of the AKM with the stamped receiver as they were not given a licence to
produce the AKM and RPK by the Soviets because of failing relations after the Sino-Soviet split.

The Type 56 has a 1.5mm stamped receiver (like the RPK, although
it lacks the reinforced trunnion of the RPK) versus the 1mm
stamping of the AKM.

The barrel on the Type 56 is similar to the AK-47 and heavier than
that of the AKM.

The front sights are fully enclosed, compared to the AKM and AK-47
which are partially opened.

Has the double hook disconnector of the AK-47 rather than the
single hook disconnector of the AKM.

Has a smooth dust cover like the AK-47 and unlike the ribbed dust
cover of the AKM.

May have a folding spike bayonet (nicknamed the "pig sticker") as

opposed to the detachable knife bayonets of the AK-47 and AKM.
There are three different types of spike bayonets made for Type 56
rifles. Type 56 assault rifles are the only AK-pattern assault rifles
that use spike bayonets.

Military issued versions of the Type 56 lack the threaded muzzle

found on the AK-47 and AKM, this means they cannot use an AKM
compensator or blank-firing device. Commercial versions of the
Type 56 may or may not have a threaded muzzle.

Has a blued finish like the AK-47 and unlike the AKM, which has a
black oxide finish or a parkerized finish.

Has "in the white" bolt carrier, while the AKM bolt carrier is blued.

Like the AK-47, sights will only adjust to 800 metres, whereas AKM
sights adjust to 1000 metres.

Nearly all Type 56's lack the side mount plate that was featured on
many variations of the AK-47 and AKM.

Lacks the hammer release delay device of the AKM. The lack of
hammer retarder is perhaps due to a preference of a slightly higher
rate of fire, and simplicity. And did not have anything to do with
thickness of the receiver, as the RPK included the hammer retarder
also.

The gas relief ports are located on the gas tube like the AK-47,
unlike the AKM which had the gas relief ports relocated forward to
the gas block.

5.

The fixed stock of a Type 56 has a less in-line stock like the AK-47,
opposed to the AKM which has a straighter stock.

Variants[edit]

Bolivian Marines sitting on inflatable boats, carrying Type 56 rifles and scuba equipment during the military
parade in Cochabamba.

Type 56 Basic variant introduced in 1956. Copy of the AK-47 with

a fixed wooden stock and permanently attached spike bayonet. In
the mid-1960s production switched from machined to stamped
receivers, mimicking the improved (and cheaper) Russian AKM,
while the permanently attached bayonet became optional. Still used
by Chinese reserve and militia units.

Type 56-I Copy of the AKS, with an under-folding steel shoulder

stock and the bayonet removed to make the weapon easier to carry.
As with the original Type 56, milled receivers were replaced by
stamped receivers in the mid-1960s, making the Type 56-1 an
equivalent to the Russian AKMS.

Type 56-II Improved variant and copy of AKM. Introduced in 1980,

with a side-folding stock. Mainly manufactured for export and rare in
China.

Type 56-4 Under folding stock copy of Type 56-1 in 5.5645mm

NATO. 1/12 barrel twist to stabilize the M193 NATO cartridge. Under
folding spike bayonet. Chrome-plated bore and chamber. Selective
fire. Barrel is extended past front sight 3 34 inches. Threaded flush
muzzle cap. English fire control markings "S" and "F" for export
version. No marking on the full-auto selection. Rear sight calibrated
to 800 metres. Stamped receiver. Serial number marked on bolt
carrier, bolt, receiver cover, receiver.

Type 56C (QBZ-56C) Short-barrel version, introduced in 1991 for

the domestic and export market. The QBZ-56C as it is officially
designated in China, is a carbine variant of the Type 56-II and
supplied in limited quantities to some PLA units. The Chinese Navy
is now the most prominent user. Development began in 1988, after
it was discovered that the Type 81 assault rifle was too difficult to
shorten. In order to further reduce weight the bayonet lug was
removed. The QBZ-56C is often carried with a twenty-round box

magazine, although it is capable of accepting a standard Type 56

thirty-round magazine.[9]

6.

Type 56S or Type 56 Sporter, also known as the MAK-90 (Model of

the AK)-1990 civilian version with only semiautomatic mode.[10]

NHM 91 Sporterized RPK-style version with a stamped receiver

and 20" heavy barrel.

Type 84S A civilian version of the Type 56 rifle chambered for

the 5.5645mm NATO round.

KL-7.62 An unlicensed, reverse-engineered Iranian copy of the

Type 56. The original version of the KL-7.62 was indistinguishable
from the Type 56, but in recent years DIOappears to have made
some improvements to the Type 56 design, adding a plastic stock
and handguards (rather than wood) and a ribbed receiver cover
(featured on mostAKM variants, but missing from the Type 56) as
well as picatinny rails on even newer versions.

MAZ Sudanese licensed copy of the Type 56 made by Military

Industry Corporation.

Other Type 56 weapons[edit]

The "Type 56" designation was also used for Chinese versions of the SKS and of the RPD, known
as the Type 56 carbine and Type 56 light machine gun respectively. However, unlike the popular
Type 56 rifle, all Type 56 carbines have been removed from military service, except a few used for
ceremonial purposes and by local Chinese militia. The Type 56 light machine gun is still used by
the Cambodian Army and Sri Lankan Army.

7.

Users[edit]

A Beninese soldier with a Type 56.

Syrian soldier aims a Type 56.

Afghanistan[11]

Albania - Uses the Type 56 and various copies of the AK47/AKM, including domestic-built examples.[12]

Bangladesh - Built under license by Bangladesh Ordnance

Factories and used by the Bangladesh Navy, Special Warfare
Diving And Salvage.[13]

Benin[14]

Bolivia[15]

Cambodia - Used extensively by the Khmer Rouge during the

Cambodian Civil War. In service with the Royal Cambodian Armed
Forces (the Type 56, Type 56-I, and Type 56-II).[16][17]

Estonia - Type 56-2 used by some units of the Estonia Land

Forces.[18]

East Timor - Type 56-2 used by units of Naval Component of

the Timor Leste Defence Force.[19]

Finland - Type 56-2 known as 7.62 RK 56 TP used by Finnish

reserves.[20]

Iran - Imported during the 1980s.[citation needed]

Iraq [21][22]

Kenya - Type 56-2 seen being used by Kenyan police

responding to the 2013 Westgate shopping mall shooting[23][24]

Kurdistan Peshmerga[25]

Laos[12]

Mali[12]

Malta[12]

Namibia[26]

North Korea[12]

Pakistan - Used by the Pakistan Army,[12] Pakistan

Rangers, Frontier Corps & Police.

People's Republic of China - The Chinese Type 56 was the

standard issue assault rifle of the Chinese military from the late
1950s until the 1980s when it was replaced by the newer Type 81
assault rifle in front line units.Chinese reserve, militia, People's
Armed Police units,Border Defense Troops,Customs Ministry
security forces and Ministry of justice Bureau of Prison
Administration guards are still issued the Type 56 rifle and Type 56
carbine SKS.[3]

Rwanda - Imported through Zaire in defiance of trade

sanctions, 1994.[27]

South Sudan - Seen being used by South Sudanese

government soldiers during the 2013 South Sudanese coup d'tat
attempt[28]

Sri Lanka[12]

Sudan - Licensed produced as known as the MAZ.[29]

Syria

Tajikistan[30]

Uganda[citation needed]

8.

9.

Vietnam - Used extensively by the N.V.A during the Vietnam

War. Replaced by the AKM.[3]

See also[edit]

Type 81 assault rifle

List of assault rifles

References[edit]

1.

Jump up^ http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?

smallarms_id=179

2.

Jump up^ world.guns.ru on Type 56. Retrieved 29 April 2013.

3.

^ Jump up to:a b c Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th

Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN 1-84065-245-4.

4.

^ Jump up to:a b Gordon Rottman (24 May 2011). The AK-47:

Kalashnikov-series assault rifles. Osprey Publishing. pp. 47
49. ISBN 978-1-84908-835-0. Retrieved 16 July 2013.

5.

Jump up^ Bobi Pirseyedi (1 January 2000). The Small Arms Problem
in Central Asia: Features and Implications. United Nations
Publications UNIDIR. p. 16. ISBN 978-92-9045-134-1. Retrieved 16
July 2013.

6.

Jump up^ Warlow, Tom (2004). Firearms, the Law, and Forensic
Ballistic (2nd ed.). CRC Press. pp. 2627, 47. ISBN 9780203568224.

7.

Jump up^ King, Wayne (January 19, 1989). "Weapon Used by

Deranged Man Is Easy to Buy".The New York Times. Retrieved 21
November 2014.

8.

Jump up^ Ingram, Carl (May 25, 1989). "Governor Signs Assault
Weapon Legislation". Los Angeles Times. p. 1. Retrieved 21
November 2014.

9.

Jump up^ " QBZ56C ()" (in Chinese).

Sina.com. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2008-08-26.

10. Jump up^ Norinco. Chicom47.net. Retrieved on 2012-05-20.

11. Jump up^ 070317-A-LI455-010. Defenseimagery.mil. Retrieved on
2012-05-20.
12. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons
2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27,
2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
13. Jump up^ "Bangladesh Military Forces - BDMilitary.com". Bangladesh
Military Forces - BDMilitary.com. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
14. Jump
up^ http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforaf/PublishingImages/090616-M3107S-0461.jpg
15. Jump up^ Bolivia Land Forces military equipment and vehicles
Bolivian Army. Armyrecognition.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-20.
16. Jump up^ Working Papers. Small Arms Survey (2011-12-01).
Retrieved on 2012-05-20.

17. Jump up^ Unwin, Charles C.; Vanessa U., Mike R., eds. (2002). 20th
Century Military Uniforms(2nd ed.). Kent: Grange
Books. ISBN 0760730946.
18. Jump up^ http://bbs.tiexue.net/post2_3359984_1.html
19. Jump up^ "ForumDefesa.com". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
20. Jump up^ http://bbs.tiexue.net/post2_1189872_1.html
21. Jump up^ "070606-F-7418E-005". Flickr - Photo Sharing!.
22. Jump up^ https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-akxpa1/v/t1.09/10245327_10152105933328568_8847179887157629928_n.jpg?
oh=84a3eb47558415fc4698e41e17dce5eb&oe=5522ADAC&__gda__
=1432114362_65baac937fdbc07aa7a3aabb6f8f2467 flickr.com/photos
/familymwr
23. Jump up^ "Gunmen Kill Dozens in Terror Attack at Kenyan Mall".
New York Times.com. 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
24. Jump up^ "Gunmen attack mall in Kenya". NBS News.com.
Retrieved 2013-09-22.
25. Jump up^ https://medium.com/war-is-boring/how-much-does-a-guncost-in-kurdistan-800ca37ebdfc. Missing or empty |title= (help)
26. Jump up^ Elena Torreguitar. National Liberation Movements in Office:
Forging Democracy with African Adjectives in Namibia (2009 ed.).
Peter Lang GMBH. p. 159. ISBN 978-3-631-57995-4.
27. Jump up^ Rwanda
28. Jump up^ "S Sudan rebels 'control key state'". BBC News. 2013-1221.
29. Jump up^ "MAZ". Military Industry Corporation. Retrieved 2009-0208.
30. Jump up^ "DVIDS - Images - Tajik NCOs Learning New
Responsibilities During U.S.-led Exchange [Image 8 of 10]". DVIDS.
Retrieved 13 November 2014.

10. External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has
media related to Type 56.

Sino Defence

Modern Firearms

56 at IMFDB detailing this weapon's use in Western cinema

[show]

AK-47 and derivatives

[show]

Weapons and military equipment designed or manufactured i

Categories:

11.

Assault rifles

Cold War weapons of China

Rifles of the Cold War

Infantry weapons of the Cold War

7.62 mm firearms

Kalashnikov derivatives

ChinaSoviet Union relations

Weapons of the People's Republic of China

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