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| Type 56 | |
|---|---|
 Type 56 rifle | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1956–present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | Vietnam War[1] Rhodesian Bush War Cambodian Civil War[1] Laotian Civil War Sino-Vietnamese War Soviet–Afghan War[1] Iran–Iraq War[2] Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir[3] Somali Civil War[4] Tuareg rebellion (1990–1995)[5] Persian Gulf War[2] Kosovo War[1] War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)[1] Iraq War[1] Kivu conflict[6] Iraqi insurgency (2011–2013) War in Iraq (2013–2017)[7] OLA insurgency[8] Russo-Ukrainian war[9][10] 2025 Cambodia–Thailand border conflict[11] |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1956 |
| Manufacturer | State Factory 66 Norinco PolyTech |
| Produced | 1956–present |
| No. built | 10,000,000+[12] |
| Variants | Type 56 Type 56-1 Type 56-2 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Type 56: 3.8 kg (8.38 lb) Type 56-1: 3.7 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: 882 mm (34.7 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 | Type 56 variants -7.62×39mmType 84S –5.56×45mm |
| Caliber | 7.62mm |
| Action | Gas-operated,rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 650 rounds/min |
| 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 | 100–800 m sight adjustments. Effective range 300–400 meters |
| Feed system | 20, 30, or 40-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | AdjustableIron sights |
TheType 56 (Chinese:56式自動步槍,lit. 'Type 56 automatic rifle')[13] is a Chinese7.62×39mmassault rifle andKalashnikov rifle variant.
In 1955, the Soviet Union provided China with information and production equipment for the AK andSKS.[14]
Production started in 1956 at State Factory 66 but was eventually handed over toNorinco andPolyTech, who continue to manufacture the rifle primarily for export.
Originally, the Type 56 was a direct, licensed copy of the AK-47's final iteration, the Type 3 AK, and featured amilledreceiver.[15]
The Type 56 features a fixed wooden stock and folding spike bayonet. Starting in the mid-1960s, the guns were manufactured withstamped receivers much like the SovietAKM.
Visually, most versions of the Type 56 are distinguished from the AK-47 and AKM by the fully enclosed hooded frontsight (all other AK pattern rifles, including those made in Russia, have a partially open front sight).
Many versions also feature a foldingbayonet attached to the barrel just aft of themuzzle. There are three different types of bayonets made for Type 56 rifles.
The Type 56 was adopted to replace various WWII-era weapons, including theMosin-Nagant,Type 38 rifle andM1903 Springfield, as the standard issue rifle in thePeople's Liberation Army (PLA) .
The Type 56 rifle was designated as the "Type 1956 Submachine Gun" (Chinese:56式衝鋒槍), as the Type 56 took the role of SMG rather than infantry service rifle in the PLA in its early service years.[16]
During the Cold War period, the Type 56 was exported to many countries and guerrilla forces throughout the world.
Many of these rifles found their way to battlefields in Africa,Southeast Asia, and theMiddle East and were used alongside other Kalashnikov pattern weapons from both the Soviet Union as well as theWarsaw Pact nations ofEastern Europe.
Chinese support forNorth Vietnam before the mid-1960s meant that the Type 56 was frequently encountered by American soldiers in the hands of eitherViet Cong guerrillas orPAVN soldiers during theVietnam War. The Type 56 was discovered far more often than the original Russian-made AK-47s or AKMs.[17]
The Type 56 was used extensively byIranian forces during theIran–Iraq War of the 1980s, with Iran purchasing large quantities of weapons from China for its armed forces. During the war,Iraq also purchased a small quantity, despite them being a major recipient of Soviet weapons and assistance during the conflict. This was done in conjunction with their purchasing of a large number ofAKMs from Eastern Europe.[2]
During theSoviet–Afghan War in the 1980s, many Type 56 rifles were supplied to AfghanMujahideen guerrillas to fight Soviet forces. The rifles were supplied by China, Pakistan and the US who obtained them from third party arms dealers.[18] There is photographic evidence from Soviet/Russian sources where captured Type 56 rifles were utilized by Soviet soldiers in lieu of their standard-issue AKM andAK-74 rifles.
Use of the Type 56 in Afghanistan also continued well into the early 21st century as the standard rifle of theTaliban such as when Taliban forces seized control ofKabul in 1996 (a majority of the Chinese small arms used by the Taliban were provided by Pakistan).[17]
Copy of theAKS, 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 RussianAKMS.
Civilian semi-auto versions (Type 56S-I) may have the spike bayonet added, though it is worth noting that this is not the original military configuration.
Improved variant introduced in 1980, with a side-folding stock and dark orange bakelite furniture. The stock also houses a cleaning kit, which both underfolding AKs (all nations) and other sidefolding AKs lacked, instead requiring a separate pouch. It also allows a traditional detachable bayonet, both AK-47 and AKM styles, as an option in addition to the folding spike style.
Mainly manufactured for export and rare in China as the Type 81 was already in production by the time of conception.
Modified Type 56-2 in China for Finnish use, with a new hammer spring that allows firing of Finnish 7.62x39.[19]
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 56-2 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, thebayonet 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.[20] It also has a sidefolding stock in addition to amuzzle booster, giving it a similar appearance to theAKS-74U.[21]
The Type 56 Sporter, also known as theAK47S[citation needed],AKS-762 andMAK-90 (Modified AK-1990) is thesemi-automatic onlycivilian version of the Type 56[22]
Later versions were modified to meet the requirements of a 1989 Executive Order by PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush prohibiting importation of certain 'assault rifle' configurations of military-style semi-automatic rifles such as the Norinco AKM/AK-47.
These modifications included a one-piece U.S.-made thumbhole stock to replace the separate Chinese-made buttstock and pistol grip of the original AK rifle and the inclusion of a rivet on the receiver preventing use of standard AK-47, RPK, or AKM magazines.
Special version of the 56S/MAC-90 with anIMI Galil style side folding stock. Was exclusive to the US market.
Another version of the 56S/MAK-90 except configured to look like the Type 3 AK-47.
It is extremely faithful to the Type 3 design, even having a milled receiver and original AK-47 style bayonet lug, but does retain some manufacturing differences from the Type 56 such as the pinned in barrel, lack of vent cuts on the gas tube heat guard, only 3 rivets on the trigger guard, the stamped recoil guide rod, spring loaded firing pin and variance in machining such as on the receiver and lightening cuts. Like the previous, US market only.
RPK style LMG version of the Type 56.[23]
Utilizes a standard Type 56 stamped receiver and front trunnion, likely due to their rigidity, and its bi-pod is moreRPD like then RPK, being tubular.
It seems to have two configurations with only minor cosmetic changes, one with standard AK-47/M open sights with "ears" and the bi-pod directly behind the front sight base, and a second configuration with typical Type 56 enclosed "hooded" sights and the bi-pod in front of the front sight base near the muzzle.
The latter version usually is seen with a birdcage flash hider orAK-74 style muzzle brake. Like the Type 56-2, it was only made for export as theType 81 LMG was selected for military service instead.
Civilian semi-auto sporter versions are known as theType 87S orNHM 91. The semi-auto versions have also been sold with standard Type 56 stocks instead of the RPD "club foot" style as well as thumbhole variants after 1989. A rare version known as the "National Match" was once sold with a milled receiver and scope andscope mount.[24]
Export version of the Type 56 rifle chambered for the5.56×45mm NATO round. The lineup also featuer underfolder (Type 84-1) and sidefolder (Type 84-2) versions. Civilian semi-auto version known asType 84S andAKS-223.
Special matte black synthetic versions were also available as theType 84-3,Type 84-4 (underfolder) andType 84-5 (sidefolder).[citation needed]
Semi automatic bullpup version.
Iranian copy of the Type 56.
The original version of the KL-7.62 was indistinguishable from the Type 56, but in recent yearsDIO appears 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 newer versions.
They consist of the KLS (AKM wooden stock) and the KLF (AKM folding stock).[25]
Sudanese licensed copy of the Type 56 made byMilitary Industry Corporation.
Albanian licensed copy of the Type 56.[26]
North Vietnamese-made variant, but with stock of anRPK, barrel sights from anRPD.[27]
The TUL-1's body was thin, only 1 mm compared to the 1.5 mm of anRPK. It was also heavier and had an inferior rate of fire compared to theRPK. However, the firing rate and effective range of the weapon was better than an AK-47-based rifle.[27] They're known to use 30-round magazines from AK-47-based rifles with the occasional 40-round magazine.[27]
The TUL-1s were manufactured between 1970–1974 and ended after Vietnam obtained production rights to theRPK itself.[28][29]
Clone made in Myanmar by the Kachin Independence Army.[30]
Afghanistan[31]
Albania[32] Locally produced as theASh-78 Tipi-1 under small modification of the Albanian Army needs. Main armament of the army until recently when it's being replaced withARX-160, andM4A1.
Algeria[33]
Bangladesh[34]
Benin[citation needed]
Bolivia[35]
Bosnia and Herzegovina[citation needed]
Brazil: Used by special forces.[36] Limited numbers seized from criminals and issued to the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro[37][better source needed]
Burundi: Burundian rebels.[38]
Cambodia[39][40]
Central African Republic[41]
Chad[42]
Congo-Brazzaville[43]
Congo-Kinshasa[44][45]
Djibouti[citation needed]
East Timor[46][better source needed]
Ecuador[47]
Estonia[48]
Gambia[citation needed]
India: Thousands of captured Type 56s from Pakistan by Indian police/military/paramilitary forces.[49]
Iran: Type 56 and Type 56-1[50]
Iraq[2][7]
Ivory Coast[52]
Kosovo[53]
Laos[32]
Liberia[54]
Libyan National Army: Type 56-1[55]
Mali[32]
Malta[32][56]
Myanmar[57]
Nepal: Used by theNepalese Army and formerly by thePeople's Liberation Army rebels[58]
Niger[59]
North Korea[32]
Pakistan[32]
Qatar[60]
Rwanda[61]
Sierra Leone[62]
Somalia[63]
South Sudan:South Sudan Liberation Movement,South Sudan Democratic Movement,Sudan People's Liberation Army andLou Nuer militias.[64]
Sri Lanka[32]
Sudan[65]
Syria[66]
Tajikistan[67]
Tanzania
Ukraine[9][68]
Uganda[69]
Vietnam[70]
Yemen: Supplied by Iran toHouthi rebels.[71]
Zimbabwe[72]
Azerbaijan: Used duringFirst Nagorno-Karabakh War and retired in favor of more modern Russian rifles.[73]
Croatia: Used by Croatia in its war of independence.[74]
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria[73]
China[70]
Finland: Purchased in the 1990s and used byFinnish Army reserve personnel. Now in long-term storage.[75][76]
Libyan Arab Republic of Jamahiriya: Passed into successor state.[citation needed]
South Vietnam: Captured from Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War.[77]
United States: Captured rifles issued toMACV-SOG.[78]
Zaire: Passed into successor state.[citation needed]
Ambazonia Defence Forces[79]
Boko Haram − Type 56 and Type 56-1[80]
Free Aceh Movement[82]
Kachin Independence Army − Locally produced copies[83]
Khmer Rouge[84]
New People's Army[85]
Oromo Liberation Army[86]
People's Defence Force[87]
Viet Cong[88]
Official Irish Republican Army[89]In 1987, Michael Ryan used a legally owned Type 56 rifle, and two other firearms, in theHungerford massacre in the United Kingdom, in which he shot 32 people, 17 of whom died. The attack led to the passage ofFirearms (Amendment) Act 1988, which bans ownership of semi-automatic centre-fire rifles and restricts the use of shotguns.[90]
In the United States, a Type 56 rifle, purchased in Oregon under a false name,[91] was used in the 1989Stockton 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'sRoberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989.[92]
A Type 56S, along with a Type 56S-1, were used by Larry Phillips, Jr. and Emil Mătăsăreanu during the 1997North Hollywood shootout.[93]
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