Type 63
Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) · Assault Rifle · Out Of Production · 1963
Also known as: Type 68, Type 63 SLR
Overview
The Type 63 (also designated Type 68 in later production) is a Chinese select-fire rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm. It blends the layout and folding spike bayonet of the SKS (Type 56 carbine) with the gas-operated rotating-bolt action and detachable magazine concept of the AK-pattern Type 56 assault rifle, aiming to combine the accuracy of a semi-automatic rifle with the firepower of an assault rifle. It was widely issued to the People's Liberation Army and exported to allied states.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3490 g (123.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1030 mm (40.55") |
| Barrel Length | 521 mm (20.51") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 732 m/s (2402 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2010 J (1482 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x39mm · primary — also known as 7.62x39mm M43, 7.62 Soviet, 7.62x39mm Soviet
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Folding Spike Bayonet, Select Fire, Fixed Wooden Stock, Adjustable Iron Sights
Variants
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army · adopted 1968
- Vietnam People's Army
- Korean People's Army
- Albanian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- Sino-Vietnamese War (1979)
- Cambodian Civil War (1967-1975)
Production
Estimated total produced: 6,000,000 · Production years: 1968-1978
Over 6 million manufactured before being superseded; produced primarily by Factory 296 (later Chongqing Jianshe)
Origin
Country of origin: China
Discontinued: 1978
Notes
Often confused with the unrelated Type 63 light tank. Magazine capacity is commonly cited as 20 rounds (also compatible with 15- and 30-round boxes per some sources). Later Type 68 production introduced stamped-receiver manufacturing changes.
Background
The Type 63 was an attempt to merge two philosophies into one weapon - the marksman-friendly SKS and the spray-and-pray AK - but quality control collapsed during the Cultural Revolution, and the rifles became so unreliable that the PLA reverted to the Type 56 within a decade.