ASH-78

ASH-78 Rifle
The ASH-78
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Albania
Service history
In service	1978−present
Wars	Kosovo War 1997 Albanian civil unrest Yugoslav Wars
Production history
Designed	1978
Unit cost	N/A
Produced	1978-1993
No. built	100,000+
Variants	ASH-78/1, ASH-78/2, ASH-78/3
Specifications
Mass	3.8kg
Length	882 mm (37.0 in)
Barrel  length	414 mm
Caliber	7.62x39mm
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	710 m/s (2,330 ft/s)
Effective firing range	400 m (effective range)
Feed system	30-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron sights, optional optical sights

The ASH-78 (Albanian : Automatiku Shqiptar 78) ^[1] is an Albanian assault rifle developed in the 1970s as a licensed variant of the Chinese Type 56, itself modeled after the Soviet AKM.

History

The ASH-78 was developed in Albania in 1974 during a period of isolation from Western and Eastern military powers. It was intended to provide the Albanian military with a reliable, domestically produced firearm based on the design of the Chinese Type 56. ^[2] Albania acquired a license from China prior to production. ^[3]

The ASH-78 was produced in Albania's Gramësh factory and used by the Albanian People's Army and later the Albanian Armed Forces. Production began in 1978 and continued through the 1980s. ^[4] Production ended by 1992. ^[1] The ASH-78 was used primarily by the Albanian military but has found its way into other hands during conflicts in the Balkans.

Design details

See also: Type 56 assault rifle and Kalashnikov rifle

The Albanian ASH-78 is a variant of the AK family of rifles, specifically modelled after the Chinese Type 56. The design was heavily influenced by the Chinese AK models because Albania had close ties with China during the Cold War, particularly after its split from the Soviet Union.

The ASH-78 is chambered in 7.62×39mm cartridge, and does not have a magazine guide depression on either side of the stamped receiver. ^[1] There are markings for “Auto” (A) and “Single” (1) select-fire capabilities. ^[1]

The ASH-78 is considered to have moderate accuracy, in line with similar AK-pattern rifles. It is capable of effective fire at ranges of 300 to 400 meters.

Variants

Tip-1

Base model of the ASH-78.

Tip-2

Heavy-barrelled variant for sustained fire.

Tip-3

Equipped with grenade launcher capability.

Users

• Albania
• Afghanistan:
  • Afghan National Army provided 30,000 rifles from Albania.
  • Many of the rifles were later captured by the Taliban during the 2021 Taliban offensive.

Former

• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosnian Muslims received weapons from Sali Berisha during the Bosnian war.

Non-state actors

• Kosovo Liberation Army

Gallery

• 
  Albanian soldier on military exercise.
• 
  Albanian soldier with Ash-78.

References

1. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/05/02/an-albanian-kalashnikov-in-kabul/
2. "ASH-78 | History" . Retrieved 2024-02-05.
3. https://en.faktoje.al/weapon-production-line-for-ukraine-albania-with-eyes-towards-the-west/
4. "ASH-78 | Production" . Retrieved 2021-01-11.