What kinds of Kalashnikov rifles were used in the Vietnam War?

[KVLG]

I was wondering if someone could tell me more about what models of AK rifles were used during the Vietnam War (including the Cambodian and Laotian conflicts).

[The Saint]

AK 47, AKS 47, and Chinese Type 56 come to mind.

[JJ_BPK]

I was wondering if someone could tell me more about what models of AK rifles were used during the Vietnam War (including the Cambodian and Laotian conflicts).

The South Vietnamese "viet con" and North Viet regulars use any and all models,, they did not have a regular supply system,, mostly battle field pick-up,, to include French and British WW II left-b-hinds,, and for a while, East EU Com-block,, because they were in-favor by the USSR and out-of-favor with the Chineese..

In the fall of 1970, I was the XO of the 1st CAV Div HQ forward and as such had the responsibility to "maintain" the museum arms room,, We kept unique examples of captured weapons,, must have had one of every style & model AK.. Some in pristine new condition,, others,, well used..

[JKinnaird]

AK47, AKM, AKMS(I think), and definatley Chinese type 56.

[Kak]

Mostly the Chinese Type 56 with much smaller numbers of Sovet Type 2 and 3 AKs and probably a small number of Soviet AKMs. They seemed to receive a good number of Soviet AKM and AKMS rifles after the war. If you can get decent quality pics I can identify them for you.

[The Saint]

According to one picture in the Osprey "NVA and Vietcong", the NVA had some AKMs at the time of the fall of Saigon in 1975.

[Negative Creep]

They also had some North Korean AK-47's.

[KVLG]

I'm particularly interested in non-Soviet Eastern European AK models. Does anyone know anything about that?

[KVLG]

They also had some North Korean AK-47's.

Could you please tell me more?

[Negative Creep]

Could you please tell me more?

Not realy. I just know that there was a Vietnam bringback North Korean AK-47 up for sale a year or so ago. I have some pics, but photobucket is down right now. I will try and post them later.

[Sneeker]

Now thats a great question. Good Job :)

[KalleBalleSvartSk@lle]

AMD65 seems to have been used.
EDIT: sorry, the site I was trying to refer to is censored.

[Negative Creep]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/NegativeCreep47/b663.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/NegativeCreep47/780e.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/NegativeCreep47/7b67.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/NegativeCreep47/a5b0.jpg

BTW, the asking price was $25,000.

[Kak]

That was at a gunshow? I'm assuming still in its original full auto condition? Did you take those pics or did you find them online?

[Flounder]

Thought I saw that rifle before. Small world.

It was offered for sale by a gun store in Vermont.

http://www.johnsvtgunshop.com/

Go to the Class 3 firearms, and the North Korean AK is at the bottom of the list.

[B.MARSH]

I was wondering when North Vietnam tooks its first delivery of Kalshnikovs? For some reason the year 1960 sticks in my head, though I am not sure where I read/heard that.

[GHL]

Chinese M22 AK's were used as well. I've handled one that I know for sure is a bring back.

[Polygon]

BTW, the asking price was $25,000.

Pricey, but pretty cool nevertheless. Would love to know the provenance on the rifle.

[Loke-Gao-Zhu]

type 56 of course, the best assault rifle in the world! it's rugged and reliable that fires a deadly 7.62 round!

[Masai]

type 56 of course, the best assault rifle in the world! it's rugged and reliable that fires a deadly 7.62 round!

STFU !!

what does a bloody 18 year old know about a rifle that dates back to the 1947 ????

[Loke-Gao-Zhu]

STFU !!

what does a bloody 18 year old know about a rifle that dates back to the 1947 ????

i've fired a type 56 before in a Chinese military camp

only allowed to fire in semi auto though, sucked

Viet congs used type 56, i'm just saying

[ed316]

i've fired a type 56 before in a Chinese military camp

only allowed to fire in semi auto though, sucked

Viet congs used type 56, i'm just saying


Way out of your element, son.

[LaoSexMachine]

I was wondering if someone could tell me more about what models of AK rifles were used during the Vietnam War (including the Cambodian and Laotian conflicts).

Lao conflict use sticks and stones. With some old French helmets.

[California Joe]

When I read these type of threads, I always think to myself, "self, why does this guy care what frigging AKs were used. They all look the goddamned same for any purposes other than carrying one into battle...They're an AK"

I drove by that gunshop last weekend on the way to my sons lacrosse game.

[Flounder]

No kidding? Small world, isn't it?

[KVLG]

When I read these type of threads, I always think to myself, "self, why does this guy care what frigging AKs were used. They all look the goddamned same for any purposes other than carrying one into battle...They're an AK"

I drove by that gunshop last weekend on the way to my sons lacrosse game.

I was just curious at to what was used.

[ed316]

I was just curious at to what was used.

They use an AK. Simple.

[Hippo]

type 56 of course, the best assault rifle in the world! it's rugged and reliable that fires a deadly 7.62 round!

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f16/loganthedog/box-o-aids.jpg

[KVLG]

They use an AK. Simple.


I know. I just wanted to know what models and origins of AK were used.

[Hollis]

I know. I just wanted to know what models and origins of AK were used.


You might have better luck PMing a Viet-Nam reenactor, probably ask someone who does VC or NVA.

[Rynnäkkökivääri]

type 56 of course, the best assault rifle in the world! it's rugged and reliable that fires a deadly 7.62 round!
Actually, I've heard the cheap metals and methods used in making the Type 56 have made it less reliable than an Euro AK.


Even if that's not true, it still feels like a complete POS in your hands, even compared to another AK. Feels kinda half done.

[Kak]

They use an AK. Simple.
Not to the AK enthusiast. And the type of AK used says certain things about proliferation from certain countries and relationships between governments.

[KVLG]

You might have better luck PMing a Viet-Nam reenactor, probably ask someone who does VC or NVA.

Could you give me a name or two?

[bas]

Actually, I've heard the cheap metals and methods used in making the Type 56 have made it less reliable than an Euro AK.

Even if that's not true, it still feels like a complete POS in your hands, even compared to another AK. Feels kinda half done.

I think that it's more a case of hot air from some quarters. I have two Chinese AK's, a Chinese SKS, a Russian Tigr and have owned a Saiga shotgun. Construction quality of them all has been pretty average truth be told. Even the Tigr.

[Rynnäkkökivääri]

Compared to an American made weapon, like the M16, any AK will feel unfinished. However, the Type 56 is particularly shoddy, as Chinese metal is weaker that European, that's why the Type 56 originally had to beef up the reciever to keep it up to spec, however later the Chinese decided that the Euro spec was not needed and reduced the thickness, resulting in a shoddy AK, which really is saying something.

[Hollis]

Could you give me a name or two?


Cruise over the reenactment, airsoft section. There is a thread on Viet-Nam. Ask those guys.

[bas]

Compared to an American made weapon, like the M16, any AK will feel unfinished. However, the Type 56 is particularly shoddy, as Chinese metal is weaker that European, that's why the Type 56 originally had to beef up the reciever to keep it up to spec, however later the Chinese decided that the Euro spec was not needed and reduced the thickness, resulting in a shoddy AK, which really is saying something.

Did you even read what I wrote? I was compairing Chinese manufactured guns to Russian manufactured guns. Where do the American made weapons come into this discussion?

Also where are you getting this information from? I can't think of any countries that allow for importation of AKs from China for civilian use in the last 15 years. And those that did get imported to the US before then are held in good regard by a lot of AK enthusists.

Plus you completely ignore that a lot of Chinese clones like the 1911's and m14s also have a good reputation and are popular for customisation.

I suspect you're repeating people's prejuceded opinions you've read on the web. The Chinese AK is just as good/bad as any other AK of the same type (keep in mind the Chinese clone of the AK47 and the AKM are both called the Type 56).

[gaijinsamurai]

For what it's worth, Peter G. Kokalis, who is one of the world's most respected authorities on modern small arms, evaluated AKs from Yugoslavia, Hungary, Egypt, and China for Soldier of Fortune magazine, and wrote that in his opinion, the Chinese Polytech Legend (basically a semi-auto AK-47, with a forged receiver) was the best.

[Rynnäkkökivääri]

Did you even read what I wrote? I was compairing Chinese manufactured guns to Russian manufactured guns. Where do the American made weapons come into this discussion?

Also where are you getting this information from? I can't think of any countries that allow for importation of AKs from China for civilian use in the last 15 years. And those that did get imported to the US before then are held in good regard by a lot of AK enthusists.

Plus you completely ignore that a lot of Chinese clones like the 1911's and m14s also have a good reputation and are popular for customisation.

I suspect you're repeating people's prejuceded opinions you've read on the web. The Chinese AK is just as good/bad as any other AK of the same type (keep in mind the Chinese clone of the AK47 and the AKM are both called the Type 56).
Erm, yeah they were. Most of the original manufacture AKs (ie not those not made here) were the Type 56s. And their other weapons are just as unrelated as the American weapons; I misread your post and that's how they got in there.

I'm not prejudiced against the Chinese AK; it simply is of a lesser quality than a Russian one. They're held in high regard because they work better than the Century builds because the Chinese produced all of the parts while Century is mish mashing parts in their builds, using US made parts which are in some cases not in the same spec as military made parts.

The Legends were made to be of a higher quality, and I like them. But the other crap Norinco and Poly Tech were pouring out was of a lesser quality. IMO, any milled receiver variant would beat any stamped receiver variant.

EDIT: And so you don't think I'm alone on this, http://world.guns.ru/assault/as49-e.htm