Type 56 assault rifle
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| Type 56 Assault Rifle | |
|---|---|
 Type 56-1 and two Type 56's |
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| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1958 to 1986 |
| Used by | People's Republic of China, Sri Lanka[1], Republic of Croatia |
| Wars | Vietnam War, Sri Lankan civil war, Soviet war in Afghanistan, Croatian War of Independence |
| Production history | |
| Designed | Unknown |
| Produced | 1956 to present |
| Number built | Millions |
| Variants | Type 56 Assault Rifle, Type 56-1 Assault Rifle, Type 56-2 Assault Rifle, QBZ-56C Assault Rifle, Type 56-1S |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.8 kg |
| Length | 874 mm (34.4 in) |
| Barrel length | 414 mm (16.3 in) |
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| Cartridge | 7.62×39mm Soviet M1943 |
| Caliber | 7.62 mm |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | ~ 600 round/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 735 m/s (2,411 ft/s) |
| Effective range | 400 m |
| Feed system | 30 round standard |
| Sights | Adjustable iron sights |
The Type 56 assault rifle is a Chinese copy of the Kalashnikov AK-47. While early Type 56s were copies of the third generation milled receiver AK-47, later Type 56s were patterned after the improved AKM with stamped receivers. Visually, all versions of the Type 56 are distinguished from the AK-47 and AKM by the fully-enclosed hooded front sight (Russian-made rifles have a partially open front sight) and the smooth receiver cover, a characteristic of only the earliest Russian AKs. Some versions of the Type-56 also have a folding "spike" bayonet attached to the barrel just aft of the muzzle, and others have a rounded pistol grip similar in design to that of the Czech Sa 58. Also, the receiver metal is thinner than the AK-47 in order to reduce costs, though this also reduces durability.
The Type 56 was replaced by the Type 81 in PLA service during the 1980s.
In mid 80s, Sri Lanka start to replace their old British L1A1 Self-Loading Rifles (SLR) and HK G3s with Type 56. Currently they use fixed stock, under-folding stock and sideways folding stock variants and under-folding stock version often referred among Sri Lankan soldiers as "Picky Butt" due to its difficulties when firing.
Contents |
[edit] Chinese Type 56 variants
- Type 56 - Basic variant introduced in 1956. Chinese copy of AK-47 with fixed wooden stock and permanently attached spike bayonet. Later versions copied the improved Russian AKM, and the permanently attached bayonet became optional.
- Type 56-I - Copy of the AK-47S, with an under-folding steel shoulder stock and the bayonet removed. Later versions were copies of the Russian AKMS.
- Type 56-II - Improved variant introduced in 1980, with a side-folding stock. Export only.
- Type 56C (QBZ56C) - Shortened barrel version introduced in 1991 for export market.
A variant chambered in 5.56mm was also produced for the export market, known as the Type 56-1S
[edit] Type 56 carbine
The "Type 56" designation was also used for Chinese version of the SKS, known as the Type 56 carbine, but the designs are entirely distinct.
[edit] Incidents
A Type 56 rifle was used by bank robber Larry Phillips in the North Hollywood shootout. It jammed.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] Notes
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