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TYPE 56 ASSAULT RIFLE

The Type 56 7.62mm assault rifle is a Chinese-produced version of the world-famous Kalashnikov AK-47. The weapon entered service with the PLA infantry troops in the late 1950s along with the Type 56 7.62mm semiautomatic rifle and Type 56 7.62mm squad machine gun. The rifle served with the PLA for nearly three decades before being replaced by the Chinese indigenous Type 81 7.62mm assault rifle. A small number of the weapon remained in service with paramilitary and reserve forces today. NORINCO continued the Type 56 production throughout the 1980s/90s for the export market.

PROGRAMME

China began the licensed production of the Soviet Kalashnikov AK-47 7.62mm assault rifle in the mid-1950s. The rifle entered PLA service in 1956 as a “submachine gun” due to its strong but less accurate fire compared to semi-automatic rifles. The weapon was deployed by the PLA infantry troops in mixture with the Type 56 7.62mm semi-automatic rifle. A typical PLA infantry squad before the 1990s had 3~4 Type 56 automatic assault rifles, 4~5 Type 56 semiautomatic rifles, and one Type 56 squad machine gun. All three weapons fires the same Type 56 7.62 X 39mm cartridge therefore simplifying the logistic support.

The Type 56 is almost completely identical to the AK-47 both internally and externally. The only minor difference lies in the Type 56’s permanently attached spike bayonet, which folds under the barrel when not in use. The original AK-47 design only uses a removable bayonet. Also the Type 56 has a slightly different front sight post to the original design on the AK-47. In 1963 the PLA introduced the improved Type 56-I, which is a copy of the Soviet AKM. This variant can be distinguished by its under-folding steel shoulder stock. The further improved Type 56-II with side-folding stock was introduced in 1980.

Most front-line infantry units in the PLA ground forces received the indigenously developed Type 81 7.62mm assault rifle in the 1980s to replace their ageing Type 56 weapon family. However, the Type 56 was never officially retired from service. The rifle continued serving with the PLA, particularly those non-combat units in the Air Force and Navy, as well as reserve forces, militia, and the PAP. The rifle was also exported to many foreign countries in mass numbers, and was seen in action in almost every conflict around the world since the 1960s. NORINCO continued the Type 56 production throughout the 1990s and even developed newer models for the export market. Many civil semi-automatic Type 56 rifles in a variety of models were sold in the U.S. market before 2003.

The Type 56 is a gas-operated, magazine fed, selective fire automatic weapon. Like its prototype AK-47, the rifle can deliver a sheer volume of firepower over 300~400 metres distance with high penetration capability. It is highly reliable, relatively cheap to build, and tolerant to the abuse of use in the battlefield. However, the weapon is heavy and has strong recoil, which makes it very difficult to be used for accurate shooting.

VARIANTS

• Type 56 - Basic variant introduced in 1956. Chinese copy of AK-47 with fixed wooden stock andpermanently attached spike bayonet
• Type 56-I - AKM copy introduced in 1963, with an under-folding steel shoulder stock and has the bayonet removed
• 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

SPECIFICATIONS

This page was last updated 25 June 2006