Questions about Chinese Type 56/AK series rifles...

[KVLG]

DOes anyone here know what models of Type 56 AK were produced by the PRC? When was the AK first adopted, and when did Peking switch from the AK-47 style to the AKM? Also, how was it deployed within the PLA and the rest of the CHinese military?

[KillerBD]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_56
^The information here is correct, I even fixed the caption of the first photo so it is correct as well ;)

[KVLG]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_56
^The information here is correct, I even fixed the caption of the first photo so it is correct as well ;)

Thanks, but I was kind of looking for a bit more. For instance, what year was the Type 56 first produced, and when exactly did the ChiComs start producing the AKM version. Also, didn't the PLA treat it like a submachine gun and issue it only or mostly to officiers, NCOs, and cadres?

[KillerBD]

http://www.world.guns.ru/assault/as49-e.htm

^I hope this helps, if you have any questions about a new or differnet weapon then go here first.

[Kaapeli]

He's a silly question: Doesn't that bayonet hurt your hand when it's folded against the handguard? It clearly still sticks out of it and it doesn't look very inviting to grab on to. It can't have a very sharp edge if it even has an edge. I've been wondering the same thing with the Chinese SKS.

[KillerBD]

http://www.world.guns.ru/assault/type56old.jpg
http://www.world.guns.ru/assault/type56-1.jpg
^From what I understand, the bayonet on the Type56 is horizontally fixed to the weapon, so the blade isn't going up and down like on other rifles. So from what I hear it should not cause you to get cut or anything, unless you rig it to go vertically.

Also another reason why it is attached horizontally and not vertically is because theoretically the soldier will have an easier time stabbing the enemy through his/her ribs into their heart.

[KVLG]

http://www.world.guns.ru/assault/as49-e.htm

^I hope this helps, if you have any questions about a new or differnet weapon then go here first.

WHile both links were interesting, neither had the information that I was looking for. I was hoping that someone on this board could possibly fill me in.

[East Scout]

The bayonet is just a spike w/ no blade to speak of..Its pointy but that is all and you dont have to worry about it when its folded. Sometimes you find one w/ a weak spring inside the bayonet hardware and the bayonet will sag a bit making the point pertrude,. Its fixed easy by taking it apart and stretching the spring. That causes more pressure. Then the the bayonet will sit tightly in its place under the handguard.