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

This review is a continuation of the Type 56 review and concentrates on the Type 56-2, which was a side folding stock version of the Chinese AK.

The Chinese upgraded the Type 56 and Type 56-1 in around 1980, according to the excellent Mishaco YouTube channel. A side folding stock replaced both the previous fixed and under folding stocks. Wooden furniture was used along with synthetic Bakelite type furniture on some versions. Later variants had a more rounded pistol grip with serrations of the type seen on BAM B5 air rifles. Incidentally, while the B5 has a similar side folding stock, it is based on the later SKS inspired Type 81 firearm rather than Type 56.

The Type 56-2 came a little late to be adopted by Chinese forces, which chose the Type 81 and later on; bullpups. However, it was used by the Chinese Border Patrol and police. It was also exported around the middle east, Sri Lanka, Finland, Pakistan, with some finding their way to Iran and Iraq during the 1980s gulf war. Some also made their way to the United States before the 1994 Clinton ban and are highly sought after by U.S. collectors today.

THE BUILD
CHIMERA-UK have once again sourced original parts internationally to convert a standard Cybergun AK-47 to a Type 56-2 replica fitted with wooden furniture. The most striking feature at first glance is the side folding stock, so let's start with that. The stock is fitted to the rear trunnion and pivots between locked and open around a central pin. A spring loaded plunger with a knurled head is depressed to open and close the stock. It will lock in the open and fully closed position, so does not flap around. When open, the stock is firm and likewise when it is in the closed position.

Unlike the AK-100 Series, the side folding stock on the Type 56-2 folds to the right and when closed, is angled slightly down, so the selector lever may just about be accessed, albeit not very comfortably.

One unique feature of the side folding stock is the central rectangular polymer section. This cleverly houses a cleaning kit, which is held within a rectangular rather than cylindrical container. To access the kit, use a small pointed implement such as a bullet tip to press in on a tiny catch located in the top bar of the stock. This is spring loaded and the container should spring out under spring pressure once the catch has been depressed. The container houses a jag, bar and multi tool/key very neatly. To replace the kit into the stock recess, press it back in until it latches securely in place. The kit may be accessed, whether the stock is folded or deployed. The spring powered BAM B5 has a similar stock but alas my B5 does not contain the cleaning kit!

An angled scoop shaped muzzle device is fitted as standard and a muzzle nut will also fit but sadly, there is no bayonet lug on the build. U.S. imports from over 30 years ago offered either the nut or scoop, depending on who the importer was, so both types can be found.

IN USE
CHIMERA-UK offer tuned magazines with their builds, which are capable of slightly increased power and my first few shots landed very accurately at 6 yards, forming mostly a single group. However, then the magazine stopped working as the valve unit failed due to the increased power. Boris from Chimera offered to fix it and did so commendably. Upon its return the adapted original steel magazine fits a lot better than it did originally and also works with the original black polymer case rather than steel magazine outer fitted.

There is still a slight hissing from the magazine but this may go after a few CO2 cartridges have been used. Despite the slight leak, I was still able to fire around 5 magazines of 18 rounds before the gas from one cartridge had depleted. Accuracy and power are not quite as good as when I first took delivery but the Type 56-2 is what I term tin can accurate, in that it will destroy a tin can placed up to 10 yards away.

The Type 56-2 is comfortable with the side folding stock deployed, more so than an AKMS with under folding stock and is ideal for carrying to the club in the tennis racquet bag I bought for exactly this purpose.

The Type 56-2 was supplied with a narrower AKS-74U sling as the rear sling swivel is a little too narrow for a standard AK sling. The Chinese used leather tabs at either end of their slings, so I'll need to track an original one down for this very attractive build.

Incidentally, this is a brand new, as yet unfired Cybergun AK-47 and what Chimera use as a starting point. By no means shabby but with the potential for considerable improvement.