Users
- Afghanistan
- Albania: Uses the Type 56 and various copies of the AK-47/AKM, including domestic-built examples.
- Bangladesh: Built under license by Bangladesh Ordnance Factory and used by the Bangladesh Navy Special Warfare Diving And Salvage.
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Cambodia: Used extensively by the Khmer Rouge during the Cambodian Civil War. In service with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (the Type 56, Type 56-I, and Type 56-II).
- Iran
- Iraq
- Laos
- Malta
- North Korea
- Pakistan
- People's Republic of China:The Chinese Type 56 was the standard issue assault rifle of the Chinese military from the late 1950s until the 1980s when it was replaced by the newer Type 81 assault rifle in front line units. Some Chinese reserve, militia and People's Armed Police units as well as border and customs security troops still use the Type 56 rifle as well as the Type 56 carbine SKS.
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan: Licensed produced as known as the MAZ.
- Uganda
- Vietnam: Used extensively by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Replaced by the AKM.
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