by John Milewski (a regular contributor to Airgun World magazine)

Chimera-UK offer some incredibly realistic classic AK replicas based on the stamped CyberGun AK-47 receiver. We'll take a look at a couple of conversions that have been built to closely replicate Chinese Type 56 variants, which the Cybergun is also based on, albeit the latter is offered at a much cheaper level. The Chimera builds have been made utilising parts from the Cybergun AK-47, together with original Type 56 parts sourced internationally.

MAIN VARIATIONS
The Soviet Union and their Chinese allies fell out during the 1950s and during border clashes, the Chinese were able to capture some of the new AKM models. These were reverse engineered and while early models had a machined receiver, it was not long before lighter, cheaper stamped receivers were utilised. The main variations comprised of:

• Type 56 : Fixed stock and folding spike bayonet.

• Type 56-1: Underfolding stock and no spike bayonet.

• Type 56-2: Sidefolding stock with bayonet lug.


Overall, the Type 56 series included features from earlier Type-3 AK-47s and later AKMs. For example, flat handguards made of hardwood were used and no laminate furniture is known. There were no raised swells either side of the forend and pistol grips were made of wood until late versions of the Type 56-2 utilised synthetics.

Chimera have sourced genuine Chinese parts to build replicas of Type 56 variants, retaining the receiver, trigger mechanism, bolt carrier and barrel from the Cybergun AK-47. Other parts are removed and replaced with genuine components, which required machining to fit genuine gas blocks and sights, etc. The end result is more than a deactivated arm, as parts move, it can field strip and shoot projectiles (4.4mm ball).

TYPE 56
The basic Type 56 is similar to the Cybergun and even the woodwork is of a similar light shade on the example I have. One feature that is unique to Chinese AKs is the foresight has a fully rounded hood rather than the wings seen on Soviet AKs. A downside is lateral adjustments can place the tip of the foresight a little too close to one side or the other due to the presence of the hood but it does prevent the risk of one of the wings being used as a foresight under stress, which is possible on Soviet AKs. The top of the hood is open to allow for the front sight to be adjusted vertically with a key/tool.

The folding bayonet is fitted to the Chimera build and to unlock the bayonet from the folded position, pull back and down on the hilt. To fold it, push the bayonet forward and down to unlock. There are 3 serrations present for your fingers to manipulate the folding bayonet.

A cleaning rod is fitted conventionally under the barrel, while a cleaning kit can be safely housed in the butt. The cylindrical kit is accessed through a spring loaded trap door in the butt of the stock.

An original rear sight is fitted and sighted to 800 metres. On the standard Cybergun AK-47, there is no gas tube retaining lever fitted as the handguards and fittings are attached with small grub screws. However, on the Type 56 build, fittings are attached conventionally and the retaining lever works as intended when field stripping the arm.

Chimera have adapted a genuine steel AK-47 magazine to hold the CO2 valve unit, CO2 cartridge and ammunition. This fits and works but not as well as a standard polymer Cybergun magazine case on the build. Therefore I tend to use the standard magazine for range work and the steel one on my standard Cybergun AK-47 as the magazine from the Type 56 build fits that perfectly and works very well, resulting in accurate shots down range.

An original Chinese Type 56 sling has been added along with a Chinese 5 cell green magazine pouch, which is handy for housing spare Cybergun magazines or my growing collection of AK cartridge magazines. The green pouch has two additional compartments on its left side, the upper one for a cylindrical cleaning kit and the lower one for an oil bottle.

The Chinese cylindrical cleaning kit is similar to the Soviet type but the cap inserts into the main cylinder rather than over it. A jag and brush are housed in the cylinder along with a multi tool/key that consists of screwdrivers and a cutout used for adjusting the front sight.

FUN FACT
The Type 56 was supplied by China to many communist regimes during the 1960s and 1970s including the North Vietnamese. In fact, more Type 56s were used in Vietnam than Soviet AKs and it is good when films set during the Vietnam war reflect this accurately.

IN USE
Loading a magazine is done so in the conventional AK manner, where you hook the front of the magazine into the magazine well and rock the rear up and back. To unload, push forward on the magazine catch and rock the magazine down and forward to unhook the front. The CO2 magazines are a tighter fit than original magazines as they have to line up with the barrel and seal against it. However, originals will fit or display.

It is hard to resist cocking the Type 56 using the spring loaded cocking lever that is cast into the bolt carrier before taking your first shot, even though there is no need to do so. When I have offered fellow club members a go, invariably they reach for the cocking handle before commencing fire. I put this down to the incredible attention to detail and the handling, which other than the long trigger pull and lack of recoil, mirrors an AK firearm.

The AK is no match rifle but it is a replica that shoots 4.4mm ball. The Cybergun is advertised as a BB firer but I'm no fan of steel BBs due to the enhanced risk of ricochets, so exclusively use copper coated lead such as Excite Smart Shot. It feeds these well, without jamming and up to 18 may be placed in each magazine. At least 5 magazines can be fired from one CO2 cartridge.

As for accuracy, the Type 56 will dismember a tin can placed up to 10 yards away and possibly a couple more. At this distance, most shots will hit the can and make it dance, if it is fixed to a piece of string in front of a suitable backstop. The bayonet can be deployed and the Type 56 will function with the bayonet fixed.

The Chimera conversions are not cheap but they are of solid quality and utilise hard to find original parts. We'll take a look at the Type 56-2 sidefolder in another review.