The Type 58 is an assault rifle made in North Korea derived from the Soviet AK-47 designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It uses a 7.62×39mm cartridge. It is the longest version of the rifle at 890 mm, while the AK-47 is 870 mm.
History After the Korean War (1950–1953), North Korea was allied with the Soviet Union and continued to receive military support from them. President Kim Il-sung ordered the fabrication of the Type 58.
The gun was used in the Vietnam War, along with the AK-47, AKM and China`s Type 56 by Vietcong and North Vietnam Army (NVA) of North Vietnam forces between 1964 and 1975. It was used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the militia Basij of Iran against the Army and the Republican Guard of Iraq in the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88). In Nicaragua the Sandinista Popular Army used Type 58 weapons against the Contras in the Sandinista Revolution (1980–90).
Used by - North Korea - Cambodia - Iran - Laos - Nicaragua - North Vietnam - Vietnam - Syria
Wars - Vietnam War
No. built - 800,000
North Korean Type 58 AK
Weapontype: Assault rifle
Operation: Gas-operated
Cartridge: 7.62×39mWeight: 3.8 kg (8.4 lb)
Length: 890 mm (35 in)
Barrel: 415 mm (16.3 in)
Magazine Capacity: 30-round
Feed system: detachable AK magazines
In service dates: 1958–preseIn Production: 1958–preseSights: Iron sights