Type 88 assault rifle
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| Type 88 assault rifle | |
|---|---|
 Type 88-1 assault rifle | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
| Produced | 1988 (presumed) - present |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 5.45×39mm |
| Action | Gas-operated, long-stroke piston, closed rotating bolt |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine, helical magazines |
| Sights | Adjustable iron sights, front post and rear notch on a scaled tangent |
The Type 88[1] (Korean: 88식자동보총, sometimes misidentified as the Type 98)[2][3] is an assault rifle made in North Korea derived from the AK-74.
The Type 88 was reportedly manufactured in North Korea in 1988[4] as the standard issue rifle of the Korean People's Army.[5]
A Type 88 was salvaged by the Japan Coast Guard during the aftermath of the Battle of Amami-Ōshima in 2001.[6] Some of the captured rifles have AKS-74 folding stocks.[7]
In 2010, the Type 88 was documented to have helical magazines in operational use with North Korean soldiers accompanying Kim Jong-un reportedly used Type 88s with helical magazines.[2][8] In 2017, the Type 88 was reportedly being used by North Korean special forces units.[9][10] They are also seen with the Supreme Guard Command.[11]
Design
The Type 88 is an AK-74 copy with sources suggesting that it was unlicensed and made with technical assistance from China.[1][12] The Type 88s are given a black finish to give them a modern look.[13] Newer Type 88s are made with plastic polymer furniture, which led to the mistake of naming them as the Type 98.[14]
The Type 88 uses 30-round steel magazines,[7][15] but plastic versions are seen with new Type 88s manufactured.[14] Otherwise, the rifles can also use helical magazines.[8][14] There are reported to hold around 100 to 150 rounds.[8] The Type 88 can be fitted with the GP-25 UBGL.[14]
The Type 88, like its predecessors (Type 58 and 68), has no rate reducer.[16] They are also manufactured with AK-74-based muzzle brakes.[7] It has a combined safety/fire selector switch for safe, semi-auto and full-auto.[17]
Variants
Type 88
Clone of the AK-74. Modern versions made to resemble AK-74M.[14]
Type 88-1
North Korean AKS-74 copy.
Fitted with right-folding stocks similar to the Type 56 or Type 81[18][19] and plastic handguards.
Type 88-2
Fitted with top folding stocks[19][20] and plastic handguard and grips. The stock is reportedly made extremely small, which results in a lack of support and uncomfortable use.[19] The stock, however, does not obstruct the iron sights, charging handle and trigger.[21] Perhaps its most distinct feature is the use of a helical magazine that has reportedly been able to load between 100 to 150 rounds.[22]
This variant was reportedly seen in 2010.[21]
Carbine variant
Compact variant[23] based on the Type 88 with elements borrowed from the AKS-74U and AK-105 with shortened 20-round magazines. The furniture such as the pistol grip and the lightweight stock are made of plastic.
These were seen in December 2016 when North Korean commandos practiced raid on a mockup area of the Blue House.[24]
Bullpup variant
Seen after the 2010s. Based on the Type 88-2 and ADS and chambered to fire 5.45 mm rounds, fitted with a scope and a vertical handgrip.[23]
Chrome variant
Chrome variants are used in the KPA, usually with honor guard soldiers or to exceptional soldiers who have proven themselves.[25][26]
OICW variant
OICW-type weapon based on the Type 88-2 chambered to fire the 5.45 mm round,[27] as well as a 20 mm bullpup bolt-action over-barrel launcher with magazine containing around 5 rounds of programmable airburst grenades.[28][29] It's sometimes known as the NK11.[24]
Around 800 of these rifles were seen in a North Korean military parade in 2018.[24]
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