Type 58 assault rifle
AK-47-derived North Korean assault rifle
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The Type 58 (Korean: 58식자동보총) is an assault rifle made in North Korea derived from the Soviet AK-47[3] designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. This was the first weapon made in North Korea alongside the PPSh-41, made under license as the Type 49.[4] It was made in Factory 61 and 65[4] in Chongjin.[2]
| Type 58 | |
|---|---|
 The Type 58 | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1958–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov[a] |
| Manufacturer | Factory 61/65 |
| Produced | 1958–1968[2] |
| No. built | 800,000[3] |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
| Action | Gas-operated |
| Rate of fire | 600–650 rounds/min[2] |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable AK magazines |
| Sights | Iron sights |
| Type 58 assault rifle | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 58식자동보총 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 五八式自動步銃 |
| Revised Romanization | Opalsik jadongbochong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Op'alsik chadongboch'ong |
History
After the Korean War (1950–1953), North Korea was allied with the Soviet Union and continued to receive military support from them throughout the Cold War.[5] President Kim Il Sung ordered the fabrication of the Type 58. The assault rifle was first produced in 1958.[4] These were made initially with Soviet components until the North Koreans were able to make the parts on their own.[4]
Before production of the Type 58 ceased, it's reported that around 800,000 were made.[3] North Korea turned production towards the Type 68 in 1968 since it was too time-consuming to make the Type 58.[3]
The Type 58 was exported to Cuba and Vietnam in the 1960s before it showed up in parts of Africa, the Middle East and South America.[4] The Maltese government signed two secret arms deals with North Korea in March and July 1982, which included the provision of Type 58 rifles.[6]
Design
While the Type 58 is based on the AK-47 with the milled receiver,[4] the difference between the two assault rifles is that the former has identifying marks such as the five-point star in a circle and Type 58 in Hangul.[4] The Type 58 has a firing rate at 600-650 RPM.[2]
The Type 58's quality of bluing varies, usually ranging from average to poor.[2] The Type 58 can use 20-round magazines aside from 30-round magazines with the capability to fire rifle grenades, based on the PGN-60 and the KGN.[7]
Initial production models were not made with bayonet lugs.[8] Later models were produced with said bayonet lugs.[8] The Type 58 has a knife bayonet used.[9]
Variants
Type 58-1
A variant of the Type 58 with a folding stock.[3]
Users
Cuba: Known to have the Type 58 in the 1960s.[4] Provided free of charge due to allegations that the Soviet Union did not want to honor Cuban orders for AK-47s.[7]
Grenada: Recovered by US troops after Operation Urgent Fury.[1]
North Korea[3]
Malta: Received Type 58 rifles in 1982.[6]
Nicaragua: Sandinista Popular Army/Ejército Popular Sandinista. In addition to receiving Type 58s, they also received Type 68 magazine pouches and slings.[10]
Vietnam: Reported to be used by the former North Vietnamese military in the 1960s.[4][3]
Non-State Actors
Notes
- Being the inventor/designer of the AK-47, which the Type 58 is based on.