Type 64 [[battle rifle]] was the predecessor of [[howa type 89|Type 89]] as the main issue rifle of the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF). It's designed to take a weaker load of 7.62x51 NATO (.308 Winchester) to compensate for the weaker constitution of the Japanese soldiers. Not only that but the rifles were also plagued with unreliability due to the rifle design; noted that unlike the other variants of the FN FAL, the Type 64 bolt carrier also located on top of its reciever, thus resulting in two main issues: first, the brass ejected is sent right overhead of the shooter, which may potentially injures him/her in the process and second, such design allows dust, rain and whatnot to enter the gun and causes it to malfunction. On a side note, the use of alloy and other space age materials to achieve the goal of weight reduction for the Type 64 might as well be for naught as in order to actually shoot the rifle accurately, not only the JSDF have to opt for a low-power 7.62 NATO but a permanent bipod must also be attached and this alone negates any weight advantages that the gun might have.

Nowadays it's being continually replaced with the newer Type 89.

* Caliber: 7,62x51 mm
* Action: Gas operated, tilting bolt
* Overall length: 990 mm
* Barrel length: 450 mm
* Weight: 4,3 kg less magazine
* Rate of fire: 450-500 rounds per minute
* [[magazine_(weapon)|Magazine]] capacity: 20 rounds

h4. See also

* [[battle rifle]]
* [[list of weapons]]
* [[howa type 89]]

h4. External links

* "Wikipedia: Howa Type 64":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howa_Type_64
64式小銃