Type 56 assault rifle

Norinco
Industry	Firearms manufacturing
Founded	1956
Headquarters	China
Products	Type 56 assault rifle and variants

The Type 69 (; translated as "Assault Rifle, Model 1956") is a Chinese-manufactured 7.62×39mm assault rifle that serves as a licensed adaptation of the Soviet AK-47 design, specifically modeled after the Type 3 version.

Initially designated the Type 56, this firearm was introduced into service by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) under the name "Type 1956 Submachine Gun," highlighting its original classification as a submachine gun rather than a conventional infantry rifle. Production commenced in 1956 at State Factory 66 before being shifted to manufacturers such as Norinco and PolyTech, who primarily produce the rifle for international markets.

Service history

During the leadership of Nikita Khrushchev, Soviet assistance to China evolved from supplying outdated weaponry to transferring advanced equipment and manufacturing knowledge, including technical data and production tools for both the AK and SKS rifles in 1955.

Throughout the Cold War era, the Type 56 was extensively distributed to various nations and insurgent groups across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. It frequently appeared alongside other Kalashnikov-style firearms originating from the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies.

Chinese military aid to North Vietnam prior to the mid-1960s resulted in widespread deployment of the Type 56 among Viet Cong and PAVN units during the Vietnam War, where it was more prevalent than Soviet-produced AK-47s or AKMs. Despite worsening Sino-Vietnamese relations in the 1970s, both factions continued utilizing the Type 56 throughout the Sino-Vietnamese War.

During the 1980s Iran–Iraq War, Iranian forces made significant use of the Type 56 after procuring large shipments from China. Meanwhile, Iraq obtained smaller quantities of these rifles alongside Eastern European AKMs despite its alignment with the Soviet Union.

In Western popular culture, the Type 56 often substitutes for Russian AK-47s due to its widespread availability and is sometimes visually altered to mimic other variants.

By the mid-1980s, Sri Lanka had phased out British L1A1 SLRs and German HK G3 rifles in favor of the Type 56-2 model, which continues to serve as their primary side-folding stock weapon.

While front-line service in the People's Liberation Army has transitioned to newer models such as the Type 81, Type 95, and Type 03, the Type 56 remains active within reserve forces and militia units. Norinco still manufactures these rifles predominantly for export purposes.

During the Soviet–Afghan War, numerous Type 56 rifles were supplied to Afghan Mujahideen fighters through Chinese, Pakistani, and American channels involving third-party intermediaries. Captured examples were occasionally used by Soviet troops as substitutes for their standard issue AKM and AK-74 rifles.

The Type 56 continued as a standard weapon among Taliban fighters into the early 2000s, including during their capture of Kabul in 1996; most Chinese small arms utilized by Taliban forces were funneled through Pakistan.

In notable criminal events, a legally possessed Type 56 was employed by Michael Ryan during the 1987 Hungerford massacre in the United Kingdom, which led to tighter gun control laws banning semi-automatic center-fire rifles. In the United States, a Type 56 obtained under false pretenses was involved in the 1989 Stockton schoolyard shooting, prompting California’s enactment of the Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act. Furthermore, variants of the Type 56S were used by assailants during the 1997 North Hollywood shootout.

Compared to AK-47 and AKM

The Type 56 initially replicated the AK-47’s final Type 3 variant, incorporating a milled receiver. By the mid-1960s, production transitioned to stamped receivers akin to those on the Soviet AKM. Notable distinguishing elements include a fully enclosed, hooded front sight, as opposed to the partially exposed sights found on other AK models, and a folding bayonet positioned near the muzzle, with three distinct bayonet designs manufactured for the Type 56.

Primary distinctions from the AK-47 and AKM are as follows:

The Type 56 features a 1.6mm thick stamped receiver (comparable to the RPK but without its reinforced trunnion), which is thicker than the AKM’s 1mm receiver stamping. Its riveting pattern is more similar to that of the RPK. Certain 56S/MAK-90 variants are equipped with milled receivers.
Its barrel design closely mirrors that of the AK-47 and is heavier than the barrel on the AKM. The barrel is pinned like on the AKM. Military models lack threaded muzzles, which prevents attachment of AKM-style compensators or blank-firing adapters; however, commercial versions may have threaded barrels.
The front sight is fully enclosed within a hood, unlike the partially open “ear” style sights on both the AKM and AK-47. The front sight base resembles that of the AK-47 and can be fitted with an SKS-style folding spike bayonet (“pig sticker”), a feature unique among AK family rifles. Some Type 56-2 models accommodate standard AK bayonets.
It retains the double-hook disconnector mechanism from the AK-47 instead of adopting the single-hook design used in the AKM. It does not incorporate the hammer delay device (“rate reducer”), favoring mechanical simplicity and resulting in a marginally increased rate of fire.
The bolt carrier remains unfinished (“in the white”), unlike the blued bolt carrier typical of the AKM. It lacks lightening cuts but includes a flat firing pin; many civilian and export versions add a firing pin spring to reduce slamfire incidents.
Handguards are flat and smooth like those on the AK-47, often featuring an under-storage slot on models equipped with spike bayonets. The upper gas tube heat shield lacks ventilation cuts and maintains a metal ferrule between the lower handguard and receiver.
The pistol grip is crafted from wood with a metal ferrule, reflecting early AK-47 styling; in contrast, the Type 56-2 adopts an AKM-type grip with subtle shape variations.
Attachment of the trigger guard employs three rivets only, compared to five rivets used on both AK-47 and AKM models.
The dust cover is smooth, resembling that of the AK-47 rather than the ribbed design found on the AKM. Instead of using a telescoping recoil spring guide rod like the AK-47, it utilizes an AKM-style dual U-shaped recoil spring guide.
The finish is blued, akin to that seen on the AK-47, differing from black oxide or parkerized finishes commonly applied to AKMs.
Sight adjustments extend up to 800 meters similar to the AK-47, whereas the AKM’s sights are calibrated out to 1000 meters; it also retains a right-side button.
Most Type 56 rifles do not feature side mounting plates that are common on many other AK variants.
Gas relief ports are located on the gas tube as per the AK-47 design, rather than being moved forward onto the gas block as in the AKM. The gas block includes both a forward sling loop and cleaning rod retention similar to that used by the AK-47.
Fixed stocks are less aligned with the bore axis compared to those on the AKM but employ its single upper tang attachment method. Rear sling mounts are positioned underneath rather than on receiver sides as seen in earlier models. Rear trunnions resemble those of the AKM but differ in rivet placement. Some milled receiver versions feature angled rear walls and thumbhole stocks.
Stocks that fold under resemble those found on the AKMS but lock only on the left side and angle downward similarly to those on an AKS-47. These stocks use thicker steel with fewer reinforcing ribs, omit pistol grip reinforcement plates, and have simplified rear trunnions due to their thicker receivers.

These engineering decisions reflect deliberate manufacturing priorities focused on balancing robustness, straightforwardness, and compatibility for diverse global markets where Type 56 rifles have been extensively distributed and produced.

Variants

Type 56 – The original model introduced in 1956, featuring a fixed wooden stock and a folding spike bayonet. During the mid-1960s, production transitioned from machined to stamped receivers, and the bayonet became optional. It remains in service primarily with Chinese reserve and militia forces.
Type 56-1 – A variant modeled after the AKS, equipped with an under-folding steel stock and no bayonet to facilitate easier transport. Mid-1960s production replaced milled receivers with stamped ones, aligning it closely with the Russian AKMS. Civilian semi-automatic versions (Type 56S-I) may include spike bayonets, although this is not standard military configuration.
Type 56-2 – An upgraded version introduced in 1980 featuring a side-folding stock and bakelite furniture. Unique among underfolding or sidefolding AK variants, its stock contains the cleaning kit. Detachable bayonets compatible with both AK-47 and AKM styles are available. Primarily intended for export markets, it is uncommon within China due to concurrent production of the Type 81 rifle.
- 7.62 RK 56 TP – A Finnish-modified Type 56-2 variant with an enhanced hammer spring designed to accommodate Finnish 7.62x39mm ammunition.
QBZ-56C (Type 56C) – A compact carbine variant launched in 1991 targeting domestic and export users, supplied in limited quantities to the PLA, especially naval units. Development began in 1988 to address challenges in shortening the Type 81 rifle. This model omits the bayonet lug, incorporates a side-folding stock, features a muzzle booster, and commonly employs a twenty-round magazine while remaining compatible with standard thirty-round magazines.
Type 56S (AK47S/AKS-762/MAK-90) – Civilian semi-automatic adaptation modified to comply with the 1989 U.S. import restrictions on certain military-style rifles. Modifications include a U.S.-manufactured thumbhole stock replacing the original buttstock and pistol grip, along with a rivet that blocks usage of standard AK magazines.
- 56S Galil sidefolder – A U.S.-exclusive model equipped with an IMI Galil-inspired side-folding stock.
- The Legend – A U.S. market offering resembling the Type 3 AK-47, featuring a milled receiver and original bayonet lug while retaining select manufacturing characteristics of the Type 56 series.
Type 56M – A light machine gun variant inspired by the RPK design, utilizing a stamped receiver and tubular bipod similar to that of the RPD. It exists in two configurations differing in sighting systems and bipod placement; typically fitted with either a birdcage flash suppressor or an AK-74 style muzzle brake. Produced exclusively for export as the Type 81 LMG was adopted domestically. Civilian semi-auto derivatives are known as Type 87S or NHM 91, featuring thumbhole stocks and rare "National Match" editions with milled receivers and scopes.
Type 84 – Chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO, this export model is available with both underfolding (Type 84-1) and sidefolding (Type 84-2) stocks. Civilian semi-auto variants include Type 84S and AKS-223. Versions with matte black synthetic furniture have also been produced.
Norinco Type 86S – A semi-automatic bullpup variant developed by Norinco.
KL-7.62 – An Iranian licensed production of the Type 56 incorporating modern enhancements such as plastic stocks and handguards, ribbed receiver covers, and picatinny rails for accessory mounting. Variants include KLS (with wooden stock) and KLF (equipped with folding stock).
MAZ – Sudanese licensed manufacture of the Type 56 carried out by the Military Industry Corporation.
ASH-78 (Automatiku Shqiptar 78) – Albanian licensed version of the Type 56 rifle.
TUL-1 – North Vietnamese adaptation combining the Type 56 receiver with RPK-style stock and RPD barrel sights, produced from 1970 to 1974 before Vietnam began domestic RPK manufacturing rights acquisition. It uses standard AK magazines and offers improved rate of fire and effective range compared to AK-47-based rifles.
KA2-5 – A clone produced by Myanmar’s Kachin Independence Army.

Other Type 56 Firearms

The label "Type 56" also identifies Chinese-produced versions of the SKS rifle and the RPD machine gun, referred to as the Type 56 carbine and Type 56 light machine gun, respectively.

In contrast to the extensively deployed Type 56 rifle, all Type 56 carbines have been withdrawn from active military duty, remaining only for ceremonial occasions and use by certain local militias within China.

Operators

: Manufactured domestically as the ASh-78 Tipi-1 with slight alterations; served as primary infantry weapon until replaced by the ARX-160 and M4A1.
: Acquisition deferred in favor of investing in training simulation systems.
: Employed by elite special forces; a limited quantity confiscated from criminals and assigned to Rio de Janeiro Civil Police units.
: Deployed by insurgent factions.
: Utilized mainly for instructional purposes.
: Pakistani-captured units incorporated into police, military, and paramilitary arsenals.
: Both original Type 56 and Type 56-1 models remain in active service.
Libyan National Army: Operating the Type 56-1 variant.
: Issued to the Nepalese Army and formerly used by People's Liberation Army insurgents.
: Adopted by various militias including the South Sudan Liberation Movement and Sudan People's Liberation Army.
: Soldiers armed with Chinese-manufactured rifles.
: Distributed by the United Kingdom to Ukrainian forces.
: Iranian-supplied to Houthi rebel groups.

Former Operators

: Utilized during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War; subsequently replaced with modern Russian-made rifles.
: Fielded during Croatia’s war of independence.
: Procured in the 1990s for reserve troops; currently stored long-term.
: Transferred to its successor nation.
: Seized from Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam conflict.
: Captured rifles distributed among MACV-SOG operatives.
: Passed on to successor state entities.

Non-state Actors

Ambazonia Defence Forces
Boko Haram − Using both Type 56 and Type 56-1 variants
Contras
Free Aceh Movement
Kachin Independence Army − Producing local copies
Khmer Rouge
Lord's Resistance Army
New People's Army
Oromo Liberation Army
People's Defence Force
Viet Cong
Official Irish Republican Army

External links

Sino Defence