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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
editAfter 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
editWhile 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
editUsers
edit
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
edit
Notes
edit- ↑ Being the inventor/designer of the AK-47, which the Type 58 is based on.
References
edit- 1 2 Interagency Intelligence Assessment: Grenada: A First Look at Mechanisms of Control and Foreign Involvement. CIA. 19 December 1983.[failed verification]
- 1 2 3 4 5 Iannamico, Frank (4 May 2012). "AK Rifle of the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea". Small Arms Review. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Shea, Dan; Hong, Heebum (27 March 2013). "North Korean Small Arms". Small Arms Defense Journal. p. 3. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Iannamico, Frank (11 September 2018). "DPRK's AKs: Inside the Shadowy World of North Korean AK Rifles". Tactical Life Gun Magazine. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023.
- ↑ McCollum, Ian (19 September 2016). "North Korean Type 58 Milled AK". Forgotten Weapons.
- 1 2 Ezell (1988), p. 262.
- 1 2 Mitzer & Oliemans (2020), p. 23.
- 1 2 Roodhorst (2015), p. 1417.
- ↑ https://worldbayonets.com/Bayonet_Identification_Guide/North_Korea/north_korea_2.html
- ↑ "Communist Military Aid to Nicaragua:Trends and Implications" (PDF). CIA.gov. 8 December 1987. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ↑ https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25204967
Bibliography
edit- Ezell, Edward Clinton (1988). Small arms today: latest reports on the world's weapons and ammunition (2nd ed.). Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-2280-3.
- Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (2020). The Armed Forces of North Korea: On the Path of Songun. Helion and Company. ISBN 978-1910777145.
- Roodhorst, Cor (2015). The Kalashnikov Encyclopedia: Recognition and Weapon Forensic Guide for Kalashnikov Arms and Derivatives II: Italy-Russia. Netherlands: Roodhorst Publications. ISBN 978-90-9027549-9.
- Tucker-Jones, Anthony (2012). Kalashnikov in Combat. Casemate Publishers. ISBN 978-1-78303-858-9.