The Type 64 (64式自動小銃 Rokuyon-shiki Jidō Shōjū) is a Japanese battle rifle that was produced by the Howa Machinery Company. It was formerly the standard service rifle of the Japanese Self Defense Forces, before being phased out by the Howa Type 89.
History[]
The Type 64 was developed in response to the Japanese Self Defense Force's requirement for a domestically-produced assault rifle after their establishment in 1954. Howa Machinery was tasked with developing the weapon to meet this requirement and conceived a series of prototypes, including the R1, R2, and R3, which were entirely experimental and were not taken into service. Howa used the feedback garnered from these early prototypes to design the R6 assault rifle. The R6 was divided into the R6A, R6B, R6E, and R6K, each with minor detail variations on the base design. The chief designer of the rifle was Gen. Kenzō Iwashita.
The R6 rifles were trialed against each other, and a few foreign-made assault rifles, in the early 1960s. A decision was reached in 1964 to adopt the R6E as the Type 64. It served as the standard-issue service rifle of the JSDF until the adoption of the Type 89 in 1989, after which the Type 64 was relegated to the role of a designated marksman rifle.
The Type 64 remains in service with the Japanese Coast Guard.
Design[]
The Type 64 was a gas-operated assault rifle that utilized a tilting bolt locking mechanism. It was designed around the Japanese-issue 7.62×51mm cartridge, which used a reduced powder load compared to the standard NATO version. The gas system of the Type 64 was a basic short-stroke piston with an adjustable regulator to allow the use of full-powered 7.62×51mm rounds if required. It was also fitted with an integral bipod.
Gallery[]
References[]
- Jane's Guns Recognition Guide, Jones & Smith, 2008
- The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Guns, Fowler & North, 2011
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||