Type 63
Chinese hybrid rifle combining the ergonomics of the SKS with the gas-operated mechanism and detachable magazine of the AK, chambered in 7.62×39 mm. Designed to merge semi-automatic accuracy with automatic firepower.
Type 63
Community
Data trust
- Reliability
- Unverified
- Sources
- Sources pending review
Identity
- Designation
- Type 63
- Alias
- 63式自动步枪
- Manufacturer
- Norinco
- Country
- China
- Year
- 1963
- Category
- Assault rifle
- Status
- Historic
Ballistics
- Caliber
- 7.62×39 mm M43
- Muzzle velocity
- 735 m/s
- Rate of fire
- ~750 rpm
- Effective range
- 400 m
- Maximum range
- 800 m
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 521 mm
- Overall length
- 1029 mm
- Empty weight
- 3.8 kg
Mechanics
- Operating system
- Presa di gas, pistone a corsa lunga
- Bolt / action
- Rotating bolt
Feed
- System
- Caricatore staccabile 20 colpi (compatibile AK 30)
- Standard capacity
- 20 rounds
Fire modes
Historical profile
Designed in the early 1960s to equip the PLA with a weapon able to replace both the Type 56 (SKS copy) and the Type 56-1 (AK copy), combining features of both.
Adopted in 1963 and produced in over 6 million units, it was used massively during the Vietnam War and the Sino-Soviet border conflicts.
Withdrawn from front-line service in the 1980s due to reliability and accuracy issues in late-production runs, it was replaced by the Type 81; still in use today with militias and reserve forces.
Variants
Main users
China · Vietnam del Nord · Albania · Cambogia
Key components
- ●Stock — Shoulder rest.
- ●Receiver — Weapon body with internal mechanisms.
- ●Grip — Primary grip.
- ●Magazine — Cartridge feed.
- ●Barrel — Guides the projectile.
