The Type 56-2 assault rifle is considered a "copycat" version of the AKM - an improved version of the legendary AK-47 submachine gun.
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| While the Type 56 was produced by China under license from the Soviet Union as a variant of the AK-47 assault rifle, the Type 56-2 was a completely different story as it was developed during the period of deteriorating relations between Beijing and Moscow in the 1970s. However, the Type 56-2 assault rifle was fortunate to inherit improvements from the AKM that made it more stable than its predecessor, the Type 56. Photo source: cn1n.com |
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| Like the Soviet Union, during the use of the Type 56, this gun model revealed certain limitations such as being too heavy and having low accuracy. Therefore, in the early 1960s, the Chinese Army began to think about finding a way to replace the Type 56 or at least improve it in the context of Moscow suspending military cooperation with Beijing. Photo source: military-today. |
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| It was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s that the Type 56-2 appeared and was considered a Chinese variant of the AKM. However, at this time the Chinese Army was no longer interested in the Type 56 design and had begun developing other new generation assault rifles, so the Type 56-2 was not widely adopted and was only used by China's armed security units. |
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| The Type 56-2 assault rifle is considered to be the most obvious improvement over the Type 56 or its predecessors, despite having a similar design to the Type 56. One of the most recognizable features between the Type 56 and the Type 56-2 is its folding stock design, similar to what the Soviets did on the AKS-47 or AKMS. Image source: armslist.com. |
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| Compared to the Type 56, the Type 56-2 has a much more compact design with the removal of additional details such as the fixed bayonet or improved manufacturing materials. Its metal folding stock is also made differently from the AKMS with the stock folded to the left side of the gun body right at the trigger and magazine position. Photo source: thechineseak-47.com |
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| The Type 56-2 still uses the standard Soviet 7.62x39mm ammunition and still uses a pneumatic loading mechanism with a rotating bolt, it also has a similar firing mode switch as the Type 56 with a "safety lock", semi-automatic and automatic. Overall, the design of the Type 56-2 does not have many changes in terms of mechanical operation compared to the Type 56 and AK-47. Photo source: Military Wiki. |
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| This assault rifle also has the characteristics of the AK-47 such as simple design, easy to manufacture and process. It operates reliably in many environmental conditions and external impacts and does not require regular maintenance like some other assault rifles. Photo source: military-today. |
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| The Type 56-2 is considered quite user-friendly, even for new recruits. The way to disassemble this gun model is also relatively simple and only takes a few minutes by hand without any supporting tools. Therefore, in addition to equipping the armed police force, the Type 56-2 is also equipped for the Chinese militia. Photo source: jaybe-militaria. |
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| The basic weight of the Type 56-2 is about 3.9kg including ammunition while the Type 56 is up to 4.1kg excluding ammunition, it has a length of 654mm when folded and 878mm when opened, the barrel length is 415mm. In the photo is the improved Type 56-2 variant with a rail supporting the attachment of a handheld grenade launcher and optical sight. Photo source: firearmsworld.net. |
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| The effective range of the Type 56-2 is 300-400 with a short range of 800m, not much improvement compared to the Type 56, the maximum rate of fire of the gun is nearly 600 rounds/minute and in combat conditions is 40-100 rounds/minute. The biggest disadvantage of the Type 56-2 is still its poor shooting accuracy even at close range. Photo source: military-today. |
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| Although not really comprehensive, in general, the Type 56-2 rifle is still considered one of the most successful variants of the Type 56, as it appeared in almost every armed conflict in the world and is being used by the armies of many countries, especially in the Middle East and Africa. Photo source: tiexue.net. |
According to Kienthuc.net
