Type 95 / QBZ-95
Summary
| Country | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Bullpup assault rifle |
| Manufacturer | Norinco |
Technical specifications
| Type 95 / QBZ-95 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 650 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.8 x 42 mm |
| Magazine | 30 rounds |
| Length | 760 mm (29.9 in) |
| Weight | 3.25 kg (7.2 lb) |
| Range | 400 m (1312 ft) |
Description
The Type 95 automatic rifle, or QBZ-95, is a bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured by Norinco. Development of small-caliber weapons began in 1971, with bullpup configurations experimented with in the early 1980s. In 1989, the People's Liberation Army requested a new family of firearms with improved reliability, accuracy, and adaptability. Duo Yingxian served as the project head from 1991, with initial production starting in 1995. The rifle was first publicly seen in 1997 during the Hong Kong handover. It was designed to replace the Type 81 assault rifle, completing replacement in frontline units by 2006 and gradually replacing it in second-line units and the People's Armed Police. An improved version, the QBZ-95-1, was seen in trials in 2010 and formally displayed in 2012, featuring ergonomic improvements and redesigned components.
The QBZ-95 utilizes polymer construction and a bullpup configuration, operating using a short-stroke gas operated rotating-bolt system. The selector switch provides settings for safe, semi-automatic, and fully automatic fire, with a three-round burst option on selected models. The rifle is chambered for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 cartridge. It uses a linear striker-firing mechanism, and magazines are inserted rear-first. The improved QBZ-95-1 relocated the safety lever to address ergonomic issues. The QBZ-95 can mount under-barrel grenade launchers (QLG-91B, QLG-10/A), a Type 87 bayonet, and optical sights via a dovetail rail or picatinny modifications.
The QBZ-95 is the foundation of the Type 95 gun family, including carbine and LSW variants:
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The QBZ-95 is the standard rifle.
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The QBZ-95B is a shorter carbine version.
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The QJB-95 is the light support weapon, featuring a bipod, heavier barrel, and drum magazines, typically using the 5.8x42mm DBP88 "heavy round."
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The QBZ-95-1 is an improved variant firing the heavier DBP10 round, with numerous enhancements and is replacing the original rifle in frontline service.
Improved QBZ-95B-1 carbine and QJB-95-1 LSW variants also exist. Export versions designated QBZ-97 are chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO. The QBZ-97A includes burst fire and bolt hold-open, while the QBZ-97B is a carbine. The QJB-97 is the LSW in 5.56mm. Civilian semi-automatic variants based on the QBZ-97 exist, chambered in .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO. Other variants include NQZ03A, NQZ03B, flat-top modifications, and the K12 PUMA shotgun. Foreign variants like EMER-K1 and MA-1 Mk III are also available.
The QBZ-95 was first publicly observed in 1997 and replaced the Type 81 in frontline PLA units by 2006, continuing phased replacement in other forces. The improved QBZ-95-1 was introduced into service, with original QBZ-95 rifles being reallocated. The QBZ-95-1 is scheduled to be replaced by the QBZ-191. The QBZ-97 variant has seen limited use in some foreign conflicts. The weapon has been shown in tests to function after water immersion and in harsh conditions.
The QBZ-95 and its variants are used by numerous forces, including the People's Liberation Army, People's Armed Police, and Chinese Coast Guard, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines (PNP), Rwanda, Solomon Islands (supposed replicas), Sudan (Sinan variant), and Venezuela. Non-state actors like the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and Wa State have also utilized the QBZ-97 variant.