NORINCO Type 56 (AK47)

Assault Rifle / Assault Carbine [ 1956 ]

The Type 56 is nothing more than a Chinese copy of the Soviet AK-47 assault rifle.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/09/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

To make the Soviet AK-47 readily available and at a lower procurement cost, the Chinese took to locally manufacturing the assault rifle under the designation of "Type 56" albeit with some slight alterations to suit Chinese taste/needs. Overall, however, the Type 56 remained true to her AK-47 origins, making the Type 56 nothing more than a budget Chinese copy of the original. The key identifying feature of the Type 56 included a folding bayonet mounting underneath the barrel. This allowed the bayonet to be stowed for a more compact size and folded forward into combat position when needed. Early Type 56 production models also featured visible markers for the single-shot and full-automatic fire modes, marked distinctly (and respectively) as "D" and "L". Design began in 1947 and production started in 1956 (ongoing today as well). NORINCO of China handled manufacture and Bangladesh Ordnance Factory in Bangladesh signed on to produce local license-production copies. To date, some 10 to 15 million examples are believed to have been produced.

Base production assault rifles were designated simply as "Type 56" with the system entering operational service in 1956. Original forms had machined receivers while later ones were stamped to coincide with the modernized Soviet AK-47 series - the "AKM". Other operators (beyond the Chinese) have included Afghanistan, Albania (some locally-produced), Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Iraq, Laos, North Korea, Pakistan and Sudan (made under license) among others. Like the AK-47 before it, the Type 56 was chambered to fire the 7.62x39mm Soviet intermediate cartridge, these from a 30-round detachable, curved box magazine. As in the AK-47, the selective firing action was gas-operated with a rotating bolt.

The Type 56-1 variant was later unveiled to showcase a double-strut folding buttstock. As in the AKM, the process saw the stock folded forward and under the receiver as opposed to over it. These models could be identified and differentiated from the Soviet types by their use of noticeable rivets to hinge the arms for folding. The Type 56-2 was nothing more than the Type 56-1 production model appearing in 1980 and featuring an all new buttstock which folded over the side of the receiver. Additionally, the bayonet mounting was dropped and the rifle became an export product to interested parties. In 1991, the shortened Type 56C carbine version (official Chinese designation of "QBZ-56C") came to light and made use of more plastic furniture as opposed to the original's wood fittings. Other improvements from previous NORINCO-produced models (and revised Soviet-produced AK-47 models for that matter) were incorporated into the design to help it stay relevant to the changing conditions of the modern battlefield. These included the implementation of a side-folding stock sporting a cheekpiece (adding both portability and ergonomics to the weapon system) and a muzzle-brake/flash suppressor assembly over the muzzle. The Type 56C was also lighter and more compact, making for a stable gun platform that improved on portability - suitable for special forces use.

Two civilian versions became the Type 56S (also known as the Type 56 "Sporter" and the Type 84S. The former was offered in the typical "semi-automatic fire only" design while the latter was chambered to fire the 5.56x45mm NATO standard cartridge.

The Type 56 series, as a whole, went on to see extensive combat actions in the Vietnam War and several upcoming regional conflicts across Southeast Asia as well as the Sri Lankan Civil War, the Soviet War in Afghanistan, the Iran-Iraq War and the Kosovo War and its related conflicts to name a few. In the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong were known to utilize the weapon in great numbers. The Soviet AKM version eventually replaced these.

Mind you that "Type 56" is also used to designate the unrelated Chinese automatic rifle - essentially a copy of the Soviet SKS - though the two are very different weapons. The Chinese SKS is most often identified as the "Type 56 Carbine" to differentiate between the two weapon systems.

While Iran purchased stocks of Type 56 from China to fight the Iran-Iraq War, it also saw fit to reverse-engineered the rifle to create the indigenous (albeit illegal) KL-7.62 assault system. Design and production was handled by DIO and only later models differed from the original Type 56 by way of plastic stocks and foregrips.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Service Year

1956

Origin

China

Classification

Assault Rifle / Assault Carbine

China NORth INdustries COrporation (NORINCO) - China

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Afghanistan; Albania; Bangladesh; Benin; Bolivia; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Bosnia-Herzegovina; Cambodia; Central African Republic; Congo-Brazzaville; Congo-Kinshasa; China; Estonia; East Timor; Finland; Gambia; Iran; Iraq; Ivory Coast; Kenya; Laos; Mali; Malta; Namibia; Niger; Nigeria; North Korea; North Vietnam; Pakistan; Rhodesia; Rwanda; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Uganda; United States (limited); Vietnam; Yemen; Zimbabwe

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Automatic Function
Features a mechanical function to automate the firing action.

✓ Assault Rifle
Modern class of long gun featuring select-fire properties, automatic internal function, and magazine feeding.

✓ Special Forces
Qualities of this weapon have shown its value to Special Forces elements requiring a versatile, reliable solution for the rigors of special assignments.

Overall Length

874 mm
34.41 in

Barrel Length

414 mm
16.30 in

Empty Wgt

8.88 lb
4.03 kg

Sights

Adjustable Front and Rear.

Action

Gas-Actuated; Rotating Bolt; Selective-Fire

Rotating Bolt
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

7.62x39mm Soviet

Sample Visuals**

Graphical image of a 7.62x39mm rifle cartridge

Rounds / Feed

30-round detachable box magazine

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Max Eff.Range

1,640 ft
(500 m | 547 yd)

Rate-of-Fire

625
rds/min

Muzzle Velocity

2,411 ft/sec
(735 m/sec)

Type 56 - Initial Production Model based on the Soviet AK-47 but with identifiable bayonet fitting.

Type 56-1 - Double-strut under-folding butt.

Type 56-2 - Based on the Type 56-1; folding buttstock; sans bayonet mounting; available for export.

Type 56C (QBZ-56C) - Shortened Assault Carbine Form; lighter weight; plastic furniture replacing wood; Side-folding stock with cheekpiece; muzzle brake/flash suppressor.

KL-7.62 - Iranian local standard issue version of the Type 56 series.

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.

Images Gallery

1 / 4

Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

2 / 4

An Iraqi soldier trains on his Type 56 assault rifle

3 / 4

A Type 56 with bayonet is featured atop the Soviet AK-47 and its folding metal butt

4 / 4

A Chinese sailor sports a Type 56 assault rifle during presentation

❮ ❯

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)