Type 56

China's license-built and later indigenously produced version of the Soviet AK-47/AKM, chambered in 7.62x39mm and distinguished by an integral folding spike bayonet on many variants. It became one of the most widely distributed rifles of the 20th century, supplied to allied and insurgent forces across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

In service since 1956 · 30 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

350

m range

600

rpm

710

m/s

rds

Several performance figures for China-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Chinese state channel

State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.

Channel: State export agency

Fielded & proven

Widely fielded · 30 operators

In service since 1956. Status: legacy · ~10,000,000 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

7.62 NATO

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Effective range Distance at which the weapon reliably hits point targets. Higher extends engagement envelope.: 350 m

Stronger than 13% of rifles
Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability.: 600 rpm

Stronger than 12% of rifles
Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration.: 710 m/s

Bottom 10% of rifles

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 7.62×39 mm
Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better — ammunition commonality matters.: 7.6 mm
Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity.: 30

Stronger than 58% of rifles

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 0.87 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.: 4 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 1
Barrel length Barrel length — longer improves muzzle velocity and accuracy, shorter improves handling.: 414 mm

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 10,000,000

Top 9% of rifles
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 30

Stronger than 77% of rifles

Specifications compiled from public NORINCO and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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