Type 56 assault rifle

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

The Type 56
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin China
Service history
In service 1956–present
Used by See Users
Wars Cold War
Rhodesian Bush War
Vietnam War
Laotian Civil War
Cambodian Civil War
Cambodian–Vietnamese War
Sino-Vietnamese War
Sri Lankan Civil War
Soviet war in Afghanistan
Iran–Iraq War
Thai–Laotian Border War
Gulf War
Yugoslav Wars
Croatian War of Independence
Bosnian War
Kosovo Conflict
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Iraq War
Cambodian–Thai border stand-off
Syrian civil war
Northern Mali conflict
South Sudanese Civil War
Boko Haram insurgency[1]
Iraq War (2014–present)
Insurgency in Aceh and numerous others
Production history
Designed 1947
Manufacturer
Produced 1956–present
Number built 10–15 million[2]
Variants Type 56 Assault Rifle, Type 56-1 Assault Rifle, Type 56-2 Assault Rifle, Type 56-4 Assault Rifle QBZ-56C 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 7.62×39mm
Caliber 7.62mm
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 650 rounds/min [3]
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 Adjustable Iron sights

The Chinese Norinco Type 56 is a variant of the Russian designed and produced AK-47 and AKM assault rifles.[4] Production started in 1956 at State Factory 66, and continued until 1973. Since then it has been produced by Norinco, who continue to produce the rifle primarily for export.

Service history

The Type 56 is a widely proliferated variant of the AK-47. While the exact production figures are unknown, it is estimated 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.[5]

When relations between China and the North Vietnam crumbled in the 1970s and the Sino-Vietnamese 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 Iran–Iraq 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 Iran–Iraq 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.[6]

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).[5]

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 the Afghan 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 the Palestinian 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.[7]

In the United States, a Type 56 rifle, purchased in Oregon under a false name,[8] 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.[9]

Compared to AK-47 and AKM

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 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.

Variants

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

Other Type 56 weapons

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.

Users

A Beninese soldier with a Type 56.
Syrian soldier aims a Type 56.

See also

References

  1. Islamic State West Africa (Boko Haram) overrun checkpoint and capture some loot. (in Arabic). Nigeria. 2015. Event occurs at 7:21. Retrieved 2015-08-03.
  2. http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=179
  3. world.guns.ru on Type 56. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN 1-84065-245-4.
  5. 1 2 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Warlow, Tom (2004). Firearms, the Law, and Forensic Ballistic (2nd ed.). CRC Press. pp. 26–27, 47. ISBN 9780203568224.
  8. King, Wayne (January 19, 1989). "Weapon Used by Deranged Man Is Easy to Buy". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  9. Ingram, Carl (May 25, 1989). "Governor Signs Assault Weapon Legislation". Los Angeles Times. p. 1. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  10. "详解中国首款QBZ56C型短突击步枪(组图)" (in Chinese). Sina.com. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  11. Norinco. Chicom47.net. Retrieved on 2012-05-20.
  12. 070317-A-LI455-010. Defenseimagery.mil. Retrieved on 2012-05-20.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  14. "Bangladesh Military Forces - BDMilitary.com". Bangladesh Military Forces - BDMilitary.com. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  15. http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforaf/PublishingImages/090616-M-3107S-0461.jpg
  16. Bolivia Land Forces military equipment and vehicles Bolivian Army. Armyrecognition.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-20.
  17. Working Papers. Small Arms Survey (2011-12-01). Retrieved on 2012-05-20.
  18. Unwin, Charles C.; Vanessa U., Mike R., eds. (2002). 20th Century Military Uniforms (2nd ed.). Kent: Grange Books. ISBN 0760730946.
  19. http://bbs.tiexue.net/post2_3359984_1.html
  20. "ForumDefesa.com". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  21. http://bbs.tiexue.net/post2_1189872_1.html
  22. "070606-F-7418E-005". Flickr - Photo Sharing!.
  23. https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10245327_10152105933328568_8847179887157629928_n.jpg?oh=84a3eb47558415fc4698e41e17dce5eb&oe=5522ADAC&__gda__=1432114362_65baac937fdbc07aa7a3aabb6f8f2467 flickr.com/photos/familymwr
  24. "Gunmen Kill Dozens in Terror Attack at Kenyan Mall". New York Times.com. 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
  25. "Gunmen attack mall in Kenya". NBS News.com. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
  26. https://medium.com/war-is-boring/how-much-does-a-gun-cost-in-kurdistan-800ca37ebdfc. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. 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.
  28. Rwanda
  29. "S Sudan rebels 'control key state'". BBC News. 2013-12-21.
  30. "MAZ". Military Industry Corporation. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  31. "DVIDS - Images - Tajik NCOs Learning New Responsibilities During U.S.-led Exchange [Image 8 of 10]". DVIDS. Retrieved 13 November 2014.

External links

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