Howa Type 64

Howa Type 64 Rifle
File:Howa Type 64.jpg Howa Type 64
Type	Battle rifle
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	1964—present
Used by	Japanese Self-Defense Forces, Japanese Coast Guard Said to be used by the Special Assault Team
Wars	Cold War, Iraq occupation
Production history
Manufacturer	Howa
Produced	1964 — present
Variants	Designated marksman version
Specifications
Mass	4.4 kg
Length	990 mm
Barrel length	450 mm
Cartridge	7.62x51mm NATO (modified load)
Action	Gas-operated
Rate of fire	500 RPM
Muzzle velocity	700 m/s
Effective firing range	400 m
Feed system	20-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron sights, but optical sights can be placed with scope mount

For the Japanese anti-tank missile, see Type 64 MAT.

The Howa Type 64 Rifle, referred to as the 64式 (ロクヨンしき or rokuyonshiki), is a Japanese-exclusive battle rifle used by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Japanese Coast Guard. It is a gas-operated, selective fire weapon which is chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO round and uses a detachable 20-round box magazine. The Type-64 was never exported outside of Japan due to its strict anti-hardware export laws. It has been superseded by the more advanced Howa Type 89, but is still in service with all branches of the SDF and the Japanese Coast Guard.

It is rumored that the Japanese National Police Agency's Special Assault Team elements uses a sniper version of the rifle, though it is not confirmed.

Development

JGSDF soldier uses Howa Type 64 during joint exercises with the US Military.

Roughly a decade after the creation of the Japanese Self Defense Forces, the Defense Agency decided to make a domestically designed and manufactured main battle rifle to replace the aging M1 Garand rifles that had been given to them by the United States. It was developed by Howa Heavy Industry and eventually was produced in large numbers beginning in 1964. When compared to the M14 rifle for testing purposes, it was found to be superior in practical accuracy, likely because its rate of fire and recoil (from less powerful 7.62 NATO ammunition) were lower. However, it has had consistent problems during its service life due to its reportedly overcomplicated construction and is plagued by a false (yet pervasive) reputation for shedding parts during field use and overall unreliability.

Features

• The selector switch on the Type-64 is one of its most famous features due to the manner and order it which it is labeled: ア (アンゼンソウチ/安全装置/Safety device(Safety position)) → タ (タンシャ/単射/semi-auto) → レ (レンシャ/連射/Full auto) or “アタレ (Atare); Atare in Japanese means "Hit the target".”.

• A fold-away stabilizing armature is incorporated into the stock in order to improve accuracy during full-auto fire.

• The Type-64 has an external gas regulator to control cyclic rate.

• The magazine capacity is limited to 20 rounds of 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. A notable feature of the cartridge used in this weapon is that the gunpowder charge is reduced by about 10%, to reduce its inherently excessive recoil and muzzle climb; therefore the Type 64 possibly cannot use standard-load 7.62 mm ammunition without sustaining damage to its operation systems. The ammunition for this weapon was purposely produced with a reduced powder charge for recoil more suitable to the Japanese physique.

Designated marksman version

Long range optics (scopes) can be installed on the Type-64 rifle so it can be deployed as a sniper rifle. Issuing a Type 64 sniper rifle is usually granted to the individual with the most accurate shooting proficiency in each division (a designated marksman). However, in many cases the individual may simply be issued the scope by itself to be used only during training exercises and shooting competitions, while no specific rifle is assigned to the individual himself.

The issued optics are usually set at 2.2x magnification and may either be a surplus M1C/D sniper rifle M84 scope used by the U.S. Military during World War II or a similar model produced by Nikon that replicates the M84’s magnification levels. Performance is similar to the M1C/D sniper rifle but it is only possible to set the scope to view targets at 500 meters despite the elevation knob being labeled for up to 800 meters. In addition to this, the standard aiming reticle is a simple black “T” which makes it extremely difficult to use during twilight hours or on a black target.

Some serious complaints about the accuracy of the sniper version are linked to the poorly conceived attachment system for the scope. The scope goes askew easily because it is only affixed with one screw. After the scope is mounted and the rifle is zeroed, it is imperative that it be handled carefully because it is easily jostled. Furthermore, since the scope is not usually assigned to any particular rifle it is often difficult to keep it static on any particular rifle’s receiver. This is usually corrected by installing a piece of cloth between the receiver and scope mount, but then the iron sights of the rifle are obscured. In cases like this, it is necessary to install a cheek pad to properly align the users eye with the scope.

This system is in the process of being phased out in front line units of the Ground Self-Defense Force and is being replaced with the Remington M24 sniper rifle.

Current Disposition

The Type-64 is still in use with the Japanese Coast Guard and all three arms of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, usually with second line units due to budget restrictions on the SDF. However, frontline and other units expected to see direct combat are generally issued the Howa Type 89 rifle. The Type-64 essentially uses the same 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition as the M14, M24 Sniper Rifle, NTK-62 machine gun M60 GPMG, and FN MAG so it can easily share ammunition stockpiles of US Military forces stationed in Japan (with the reduced powder charge modification mentioned above). Due to its milled and stamped steel construction and wood furniture, it is considered somewhat anachronistic and heavy by members of the SDF.

For a short time, the Special Assault Team had used some Howa Type 64 rifles as sniping weapons, though it may have been disposed of.

References

• "64式 7.62mm小銃".
• "６４式7.62mm小銃".
• "HOWA Type 64".

See also

• Howa Type 89
• NTK-62 machine gun

External links

• Modern Firearm's Howa Type 64

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