Type 63 / Type 68 (SVS) Self-Loading Rifle (1968)
The Chinese Type 63 / Type 68 saw considerable use during its operational run, being produced in over 6 million examples.
In 1959, local design work began on a new self-loading automatic weapon based on the Type 56 Carbine. The original Type 56 proved relatively heavy for the intended role of service rifle and the use of stripper-clips for loading was antiquated in the age of detachable box magazines used in newer battle rifles and assault rifles. The firepower of the original weapon was deemed acceptable, however, so the intermediate Soviet cartridge was retained. The Chinese sought a standardized weapon which the infantryman could engage enemies at long and medium distances with equal accuracy and firepower - similar in scope to the American M14 automatic rifle developed from the war-time M1 Garand self-loading rifle.
The new design held over the Type 56's single-piece wooden body which gave it a similar overall appearance in profile. The barrel was lengthened for the required accuracy at range while the gas regulator was revised to a two stage form. The gas cylinder remained installed over the barrel assembly in a conventional fashion. The rather novel inclusion of a folding "spike" bayonet under the barrel was also kept from the original SKS/Type 56 series - this intended for extremely close-range combat. By this time, the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle was in quantitative circulation and its rotating bolt mechanism was utilized in the new Chinese SLR design. Select fire was available through a selector switch installed near the pistol grip along the right side of the receiver. The new self-loading rifle was cleared for service in 1963 which gave the designation of "Type 63" to the lot. It began formal operational service in 1968 which, in turn, created the Western designation of "Type 68". Overall length was 40 inches with a barrel measuring 20.9 inches long and an overall weight of 8.38lbs. Production spanned from 1968 to 1978 to which some 6 million units are believed to have been manufactured out of state-run arsenals.
The Type 63 was chambered for the 7.62x39mm Soviet M43 cartridge and this was fed by way of a 20-round detachable box magazine. The weapon could also be fed by individual rounds added to the magazine with the bolt held open. Additionally, two SKS/Type 56 chargers could be inserted into the magazine to reach the same result. With some modification, the 30-round AK-47 magazine could also be fitted if required. The weapon could be sighted up to 800 meters and fired at a muzzle velocity of 2,400 feet per second. Since the rifle was automatic in its function, a rate-of-fire of 750 rounds per minute could be achieved.
In practice, the Type 63 proved a mixed bag. It was cost-effective to produce in quantity and easy to operate and maintain in-the-field. The weapon was rather heavy for prolonged use and somewhat clumsy when in full-automatic fire. At the time of its inception it was more or less made obsolete by developments elsewhere - the assault rifle beginning to take shape in more forms than one. Chinese manufacturing quality also proved lacking and reliability over the long term was wanting. However, the basic design still proved serviceable enough for the growing Chinese Army and other nations took to its use as well. Beyond the Chinese Army, the Type 63 went on to see service with Afghan guerilla forces, Albania, Cambodia, Indonesian rebels and North Vietnam/Vietnam. It saw notable combat action in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and during the Vietnam War. However, the Type 63 was already out of Chinese circulation by 1978, such was the legacy of this indigenous self-loading rifle attempt. The Soviet AK-47 was inevitably picked up by Chinese factories as the "Type 56 AR" (not to be confused with the Type 56 Carbine).
At one point, Type 63 rifles were sold on the Australian civilian market in semi-automatic fire only forms. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.
Specifications for the
Type 63 / Type 68 (SVS)
Self-Loading Rifle
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer: State Factories - China
Initial Year of Service: 1968
Overall Length: 1030mm (40.55in)
Barrel Length: 521.00mm (20.51in)
Weight (Empty): 7.69lbs (3.49kg)
Cartridge: 7.62x39mm Soviet M43
Action: Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt
Feed: 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine
Muzzle Velocity: 2,400ft/sec (732m/sec)
Rate-of-Fire: 750 rounds per minute
Range: 2,624ft (800m; 875yds)
Sights: Adjustable Front and Rear
Variants:
Type 63 - Base Series Designation
Operators: Afghanistan; Albania; Cambodia; China; Vietnam
BY YEAR:
• 1700 to 1799
• 1800 to 1899
• 1900 to 1909
• 1910 to 1919
• 1920 to 1929
• 1930 to 1939
• 1940 to 1949
• 1950 to 1959
• 1960 to 1969
• 1970 to 1979
• 1980 to 1989
• 1990 to 1999
• 2000 to 2009
• 2010 to 2019
• VIEW ALL
• Compare Guns
BY TYPE:
• Anti-Aircraft Weapons
• Anti-Material Rifles
• Anti-Tank Weapons
• Automatic Rifles
• Bolt-Action Rifles
• Carbine Guns
• Flamethrowers
• Flintlock Guns
• Grenade Launchers
• Hand Grenades
• Lever-Action Rifles
• Machine Guns
• Mortars
• Musket Guns
• Pistols / Handguns
• Recoilless Rifles
• Revolvers
• Rocket Launchers
• Shotguns
• Silenced Guns
• Sniper Rifles
• Special Weapon Systems
• Submachine Guns
• VIEW ALL
SPECIAL:
• 18th Century Warfare
• 3 Soldiers Statue
• Battle of Mogadishu
• Chainmail Armor
• Firearm Types Defined
• French Military Victories
• Medieval Crossbow
• Medieval Longbow
• Vietnam War Casualties
• Vietnam War Memorial
WORLD WAR 2:
• British Guns
• French Guns
• German Guns (ALL)
• German Rifles
• Italian Guns
• Japanese Guns
• Soviet Guns
• US Guns
• US Infantry Regiment-Level Guns
• Machine Guns
• Pistols
• Rifles
• Submachine Guns
• Sniper Rifles
• VIEW ALL
WORLD WAR 1:
• Pistols
• Rifles
• Machine Guns
• Mortars
• US Guns
• VIEW ALL
KOREAN WAR:
• Machine Guns
• VIEW ALL
VIETNAM WAR:
COLLECTIONS:
• Ancient Weapons
• British SAS Weapons
• Civil War Guns
• Colt Guns
• Glock Guns
• GROM Polish Special Forces
• Guns of Libya
• Guns of North Korea
• Guns of Syria
• Guns of WW1 & WW2
• Heckler & Koch Guns
• Kalashnikov Guns
• Modern Russian Guns
• Navy SEAL Weapons
• Spetsnaz Weapons
• Weapons of Desert Storm
• Wild West Guns
• Winchester Guns
HOLLYWOOD/GAMES:
©2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • Content ©2003-2013 MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Site Contact Email: militaryfactory at gmail dot com. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® trademarks and protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws.
Top MF Stuff: 2013 Military Pay Scale | Military Ranks | WW2 Weapons | Sniper Rifles | Kts to Mph | WW1 Aircraft | Automatic Rifles | Aircraft Cockpits | Vietnam War Weapons | Main Battle Tanks | Submachine Guns | Shotguns | French Military Victories
Most photographic images appearing on this site are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense and are approved for public use. Other images acquired through the public domain. Digital art work courtesy of Dan Alex. Business Consulting by Kyle Williams. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
