Type 68 assault rifle (China)

Infobox Weapon
name= Type 63 assault rifle (also known as the Type 68 assault rifle)


caption=
origin=PRC
type= Assault Rifle
is_ranged=yes
service= 1968-1978
used_by= PLA, Albanian People's Army, NVA and others included Anti-Soviet guerillas in Afghanistan
wars= Vietnam War, Soviet War in Afghanistan
designer= Chinese State Arsenals (now known as Norinco)
design_date= 1959-1963
manufacturer= Chinese State Arsenals (now known as Norinco)
production_date= 1967-1978
number=
variants=
weight= 3.8 kg (Empty)
length= 1033 mm (with bayonet folded); 1342 mm (with bayonet unfolded)
part_length= 531 mm
caliber= 7.62x39mm
action= Gas operated, rotating bolt, select-fire
rate= 750 Rounds per Minute
velocity= 735 m/s
range=
max_range= 400m
feed= 20-round magazine or modified 30-rounds AK-47 magazine
sights= Iron sights

The Chinese Type 63 Rifle, often incorrectly referred to as Type 68 by Western sources is a Chinese designed rifle with a resemblance to the SKS, but using a rotating bolt working system, typical of the AK-47 rifle, rather than the tilting bolt system of the SKS.The Type 63/68 assault rifle is a select-fire weapon, feeding by proprietary "cut-down" 20-rounds magazines or standard AK-47 30-rds magazines, although these require minor modifications (removal of the bolt hold-open device) to fit. The fire selector is placed on the right side of the weapon right above the trigger guard, at index finger reach. The Type 63/68 rifle also features a non-removable folding spike-bayonet and a gas regulator system to use standard live ammunition or blank ammunition for the launch of rifle grenades.

The Type 63/68 was intended to replace the Type 56 semi-automatic carbine in Chinese service at one time when infantry felt the need for a combo between Assault rifle firepower and long rifle range, and to integrate in service the Type 56 assault rifle which was still too rare for the needs of the PLA. The development of the Type 63/68 was started in 1959; the design certificate was issued in 1963 (hence why the Chinese designation is "Type 63") and the rifle entered service within the PLA in 1968 (hence why the weapon is referred to as the "Type 68" by Western experts).

The Type 63/68 was an outdated design already at the moment of its adoption, much like the American M14 rifle. It responded to a military philosophy based on the use of masses rather than of weapons, a philosophy that wanted the troops to be able to stop the enemy advance by rifle shots at extremely long distances, and relying on the use of the bayonet for the final close-quarters engagements. As such, the Type 63/68 had the accuracy and range of an “old time” rifle, but was too long and heavy to be serviceable, and lacked the firepower of a true modern assault rifle as it resulted less than controllable in full-automatic fire. Additionally, design flaws and poor manufacturing qualities ebrupted with user experience gaining a reputation of unreliability. Poor performance and increasing availability of more modern weapon (Chinese-made AK clones) in Chinese service led to the final whitdrawal of this weapon from PLA use in 1978.

Other than China, the biggest user of the Type 63/68 assault rifle was Albania, where it was exported in quantities when the Communist regime split from the Soviet sphere of influence to gain stricter relationships with China (to which it also granted, for a certain amount of time, a naval base in the Mediterranean sea). The Type 63/68 rifle was also exported by China to North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and all along the 1970s it was also exported in smaller quantities to Cambodia and other Countries in Asia and Africa. Shipments were also made to Afghanistan to support the local guerrilla fighters against the Soviet invasion.

References

*http://world.guns.ru/assault/as48-e.htm
* [http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2000/2020.htm NORINCO 7.62 mm Type 68 rifle]