Is there an AK-50?

[Woodman in MO]

Was reading a book that was memoir of a Marine who served in Vietnam circa '68 and he talked about NVA troops using AK-50's. Now he mentioned how they captured AK-50's along with AK-47 and SKS rifles, so I don't think he confused those.

I guess maybe he was talking about the Type-50 submachine gun which is like a PPSh41?

Anyway, just thought I would check....

[XO3319]

Chinese copy of the PPSH 41 is a Type 50

that is probably what he meant

[okie shooter]

Found this, which may explain some of why there are referances to an ak-50

http://pub23.bravenet.com/forum/1919376125/show/527537

Other referances say, the ak50, distingushed from the ak-47 by useing the attached bayonets, and or folding stocks. Just from google though, nothing definitive. Sounds like they may have distinguished the soviet or eastern bloc made rifles from the chinese made ones with this designation(though they are now type 56 rifles)

Seemed every referance to a ak50 always said chicom. Some of them look like transcribed action or activity reports. So just might be the way some MI units classified the weapons too.

Heres a referance to one, at the australian war memorial, a australian goverment site, thus I would hope they have some better referance for why they call the rifle a ak50?

http://cas.awm.gov.au/PROD/gl.accept_login?screen_name=cas_search_pkg.pr_sear ch_by_link&screen_parms=acid~ps_query_type=accnum~ps_query=FA I/70/0087/VN~ps_referrer=oai:awm:324234/1161586&screen_type=BOTTOM

Heres a link, this page specifically mentions a ak50, and its from the armies center for military history.
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/Vietnam/7-ff/Ch6.htm