Original Factory People’s Republic of China M22 (Export Version of the Type 56) 7.62x39mm Transferable Factory Machine Gun

Status: In-Stock / Please Call to Purchase

This Chester County Armory listing is for a rarely seen, original factory-made in China,  People’s Republic of China Model M22 7.62x39mm NFA fully transferable select-fire machine gun.

The M22 was China’s late 1950’s through the 1960’s export version of the Communist Chinese military’s standard Type 56 AK-47 platform machine gun. This model was originally built by the PRC in state factories for export to other Communist friendly areas and causes.  As an export variant, this model features Chinese Pinyin markings for full-automatic and semi-automatic operational modes. (Pinyin is the official Chinese system for translating Mandarin Chinese sounds using the Latin alphabet).  On this weapon, the letter “L” is the marking for full-automatic (for the Chinese 连 (“Lian”) which translates as “chain” or “link successively”) and the “D” is the selector marking for semi-automatic (for the Chinese 单 (“Dan”) which means “single” or “only”).  These Cold War models were commonly encountered in areas that did not speak Mandarin Chinese, such as North Vietnam, and were typically arrived in the US as war trophies and amnesty registered “bring back” weapons. This model notes no import markings and is NFA registered, so it is most likely that it, too, is a bring back model from Vietnam, however this is not accompanied by any supporting documents.

This beautiful original M22 features a factory milled steel receiver, along with its original bolt, bolt carrier, and gas system. These items are all factory serial numbered correctly to match the receiver. The top cover and recoil rod are non-matching serial numbers, however they are period and model correct. It it likely these were either switched by accident in a wartime setting, or possibly replaced due to damage by a previous operator.

This model is in excellent overall mechanical condition. All mechanisms operate smoothly and appropriately. The bolt face remains clean and crisp. The bore is bright and shiny with crisp, clean rifling.  The original cleaning rod and buttstock cleaning kit are included with the weapon.

Cosmetically, this fantastic Vietnam-era weapon does note battle-field typical scarring. The original blue finish displays mild finish wear and moderate patina at spots to an eye-pleasing auburn and gray color, consistent with a battle field type finish. The bolt carrier notes mild spotting, as well, but nothing that creates any physical or operational concerns. The original wooden furniture displays various nicks, scrapes, and surface scratches, but remains solidly intact with no noted cracks or structural concerns.

This wonderful, investment-grade NFA transferable select-fire AK-47 style machine gun is currently available on an eForm capable Form 3 that lists “CHINA” as the manufacturer and “M22” as the model.