QBZ-95

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace USMC shakes hands with a Chinese tank crew member who holds a QBZ-95

The rifle uses polymer materials in its construction, fires a 5.8×42mm small-caliber, high-velocity bullet (in a class with the NATO standard 5.56×45mm SS109 and the Russian 5.45×39mm), and employs a bullpup configuration similar to the British SA80, French FAMAS, Austrian Steyr AUG, South African Vektor CR-21, Israeli Tavor or the Singaporean SAR-21.

Though there have been hints of the 97 variants being involved in some foreign conflicts,[10] little has been reported about its overall combat effectiveness. It has been at least shown in televised tests, however, that the weapon can continue to function after being immersed in water,[11] as well as other harsh environmental conditions.[12] What is also known is that the weapon operates using a short-stroke gas operated rotating-bolt system, similar to most modern military rifles.

The selector switch on the rifle has four settings. The selector settings are as follows: "0" for safe, "1" for "semi-automatic", "2" for fully automatic, and on selected models, "3" for three round burst setting.[13]

The Chinese Army says it has tested its 5.8×42mm cartridge extensively against NATO's 5.56×45mm and its counterpart, the 5.45×39mm from Russia. The PLA claims their cartridge outperforms both with a flatter trajectory, and a higher retention of velocity and energy downrange. It is also claimed to have a penetration superior to the 5.56×45mm NATO.[8][14][15]

Two PLAGF soldiers with their QBZ-95s march through mountainous terrain, during Elbrus Ring international competition

The design of the QBZ-95 is completely new with little resemblance to any of the previous Chinese designs. Thanks to the low recoil impulse of the small caliber ammunition and a recoil buffer system, the rifle is claimed to be more controllable in automatic fire.[10] The aim was to develop an assault rifle based around the 5.8×42mm round, with specifications of being accurate and reliable.

Magazines are inserted into the magazine well, which is located to the rear of the pistol grip. The magazine is inserted front-first into the well so that the notch on the front of the magazine is retained in the well. The magazine is then "rocked" into place by rotating the rear of the magazine upwards into the well (in a manner similar to the AK-47 series) until the magazine latch to the rear of the well is engaged. To release the magazine, the magazine release is pressed rearward, and the magazine pivoted forward and disengaged from the front recess.

The QBZ-95 uses a linear striker-firing mechanism, where a spring-loaded firing pin and linear hammer fires the chambered cartridge; most post-World War II military rifles use a rotating hammer firing mechanism. The firing mechanism and trigger are inspired by the vz. 58, but with noticeable differences. The QBZ-95's striker piece has a more complex shape. Furthermore, the QBZ-95 uses in-line main and striker springs using the same spring guide rod, instead of two parallel springs.[16]

The charging handle is located under the integral carrying handle, similar to early versions of the AR-10. To chamber a round and charge the weapon, this handle is pulled fully to the rear and then released forward to bring a round into the chamber. It is then ready to fire. On the later variants, if the bolt is held open, the charging handle will be locked in the rear position under the carrying handle. One can either use the finger to pull the charging handle to the rear fully or press the bolt release button located behind the magazine latch to release the bolt, one feature the previous design lacks.[17]

Chinese Navy sailor holding a QBZ-95B short barrel carbine during VBSS Exercise at RIMPAC

Some experts are concerned over the awkward position of the safety lever near the end of the rifle away from the shooter's hand.[13] This position makes it difficult to quickly select "fire" when it is in "safe" mode. This is resolved on the "G" ("Gai", 改; literally: "modified") variant (QBZ-95-1) where the fire selector switch is repositioned above the pistol grip, giving it a thumb fire selector switch for easy firing mode transition.[17]

The QBZ-95-1 has a redesigned recoil buffer and feels gentler when fired.[16]

The QBZ-95 can launch rifle grenades from the barrel using blank ammunition. It can also mount the QLG91B (Type 91B) under-barrel grenade launcher. This 35 mm launcher weighs 1.45 kg (3.2 lb) and is 310 mm (12 in) long. It loads from the breech and fires grenades at 75 m/s (250 ft/s). Various lethal and non-lethal rounds are available including high explosive, tear gas, and illumination. On the QBZ-95-1 rifle, the new QLG10A 35 mm grenade launcher can be mounted.[9] The QLG10A is the same length and weighs the same as the QLG91B, but differs in that it fires caseless ammunition. It is modeled after the Russian GP-25 and fires DFS-10 grenades. The DFS-10 has the same caseless design as the Russian VOG-25 where the base of the round is the propellant and nothing is left in the barrel after firing. The QLG10A launcher is loaded from its muzzle and the shell has pre-engraved rifling for added stabilization. It is aimed with iron sights mounted to the left above the barrel, but a red dot sight can be installed over the sight base. The DFS-10 round weighs 169 g (6.0 oz), has a velocity of 78 m/s (260 ft/s), and has an effective range of 430 meters. Warheads include high explosive fragmentation, high explosive dual-purpose, inert practice, and less-lethal riot control versions.[18]

The QBZ-95 can be mounted with the Type 87 bayonet, which is based on the M9 bayonet.[19][20]

Soldiers can mount optical sights for their rifles, due to a dovetail rail built into the carrying handle. The gun comes with YMA95 and YMA95-1 scopes.

Carrying handle can be mounted with short picatinny rail, as well as be swapped to new upper receiver with customization capability.[21][22]

Most of the picatinny rail modifications for Type 95 are designed by Wang Jie and Lee Ka-Ho. ACP Peak series by Lee has a flat-top rail system while “Long Bow” (Chinese: 长弓) modification from Wang Jie retains the shape of the carrying handle. Both modifications are fielded within Chinese police force and People’s Liberation Army.[23]

This is the Chinese standard-issue version of the rifle, chambered for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 round.

Due to issues associated with the original design, the PLA began a program to improve the Type 95.

Lead designer Duo Yingxian (朵英贤), now retired, stated that the project was currently in progress by some of his students.[2] Goals for the Type 95 upgrade program include the following:[24]

1. To improve the rifle's ergonomics and fire controls.
2. To chamber the rifle for a new type of ammunition with double the effective range.
3. To add a quick-firing, domestically-produced grenade launcher.

The upgrade program resulted in the improved QBZ-95-1 variant.

A QBZ-95B with a shortened barrel

This is a shorter and lighter version of the standard rifle. From pictures seen the QBZ-95B is seen issued only to naval officers, most likely due to the limited room in naval vessels that would preclude the full length rifle being used in close quarters. Its shorter barrel prevents a grenade launcher or bayonet from being attached, and it has an AKS-74U style muzzle booster. The carbine may also be in use with special forces.[9] The carbine lacks a forend and instead has a foregrip, with the front iron sight built into the carrying handle.[13]

The QJB-95 LSW with a drum mag and folded bipod

The squad automatic weapon variant of the QBZ-95. The designation "QJB" stands for "Qingwuqing, Jiqiang, Banyong", which means "Light weapon/Small arm, Machinegun, Squad-use". It has an added bipod, a longer, heavier barrel and 80-round drum magazine to allow sustained fire, however, the standard 30-round box magazine is also compatible. Although the QJB-95 and QBZ-95 both take the standard 5.8×42mm DBP87 round, the QJB-95 typically uses the 5.8x42mm DBP88 "heavy round" squad automatic weapon and designated marksman rifle cartridges, which have longer, deeper armour penetration and better ballistics at long range. As using the heavy rounds on a QBZ-95 would greatly wear the barrel in action, normal cartridges are used on QBZ-95 rifles. However, with the fielding of the QBZ-95-1 variant, newer and heavier DBP10 cartridges will become the standard ammunition for both weapons.

The QBZ-97 is an export version similar to the QBZ-95 in all respects except that it is chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition instead of the original Chinese 5.8 mm cartridge and has a deep magazine well designed to accept STANAG magazines. This rifle is currently used by Ginghis Security Academy, a Chinese private security group, supplementing their QBZ-95's.[25]

This variant is a QBZ-97 with the addition of a 3-round burst mode and a bolt hold-open device; it also differs from the QBZ-95 and the QBZ-97 for the shape of its grip, now missing the "front grip" part in front of the trigger guard. This weapon is the only QBZ-95 variant to have seen commercial success and military use outside of China. QBZ-97A rifles are in use by 911 Special Forces of Cambodia Special Operations personnel.[26]

This is the carbine version of the QBZ-97. The official distributor of the QBZ-97B assault carbine on the international market, Jianshe Industries (Group) Corporation, advertises and sells it under the denomination "5.56mm Short Automatic Rifle Type NQZ03B (97)".[27]

The light support weapon model of the QBZ-97 is chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition instead of the original Chinese 5.8 mm cartridge.

The new QBZ-95-1, also called the QBZ-95 “Gai” ("改"; literally: "modified"), addresses several reliability and ease-of-use issues, and has improved ergonomics.[28][2]

QBZ-95 variant titled "1" fires the heavier 5.8×42mm DBP10 round, and has a heavier, longer barrel and a redesigned muzzle brake to use it. The "1" variant has an altered butt stock, trigger guard, and a repositioned thumb fire selector switch above the pistol grip. The carrying handle has retained the Chinese quick release mount rail. In addition, bullet casings eject to the front (1 o'clock position from the barrel) of the weapon, allowing left handed firing. Also, there is a bolt release button located behind the magazine latch.[17] It was observed undergoing testing and evaluation in early 2010. It was later introduced into service, replacing the original QBZ-95 assault rifle. The original QBZ-95 rifles are being handed down to second line and reserve troops, while front line troops receive the QBZ-95-1.[29][30] The QBZ-95-1 will be replaced in the future by a new conventionally configured assault rifle, officially unveiled in the Chinese National Day Parade in October 2019.[31]

Improved version of the QBZ-95B with barrel and ergonomic enhancements of the QBZ-95-1 in the carbine platform.[9][32]

Improved version of the QJB-95 LSW with the ergonomic enhancements of the QBZ-95-1 in the squad machine gun platform.[9][32]

T97NSR made by Norinco for the Canadian civilian market.

Two sporterized, semi-automatic only rifles based upon the QBZ-97A assault rifle and the QBZ-97B assault carbine have been developed for the civilian market, the Type 97 rifle and the Type 97A carbine. They are chambered for the .223 Remington and 5.56mm cartridge and are fed by STANAG magazines.[33][34]

Type 97A carbines became available in Canada in 2008, were classified as Non-Restricted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and sold to general public. In January 2009, a shipment of Type 97 firearms was approved by the RCMP for retail sale, but later confiscated and seized by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers.[35] Around the same time a second shipment of Type 97A restricted firearms was also stopped by CBSA. On March 22, 2010 about 35 civilian owners of the Type 97A carbine originally imported by Lever Arms of BC (the only version ever available for sale) were sent notice by the RCMP indicating that the status of their firearm had been changed to 12.2 prohibited (fully automatic), and owners without such a firearm license had 30 days to turn in their Type 97A firearm to either individual or business that has such a license, or to police for destruction.[36] Canadian Type-97 owners initiated a reference hearing, to establish legality of re-classification of the Type-97 semi-automatic weapon to prohibited status. In early 2012 the challenge was lost, and the judge ruled that Type-97 firearms indeed are prohibited devices. While the exact details of the modification are kept secret, RCMP firearm technicians, allegedly, demonstrated to an expert on the defense side, that the Type-97 firearm can be readily and easily converted to fully automatic mode of operation in short time and with commonly available tools. As a result, Type-97 firearms were confiscated from the owners, and are no longer legal for civilian ownership in Canada (even for people with the so-called 12.2 fully automatic firearm license).

On April 28, 2013, Norinco's new EMEI T97NSR was classified as a non-restricted firearm by the RCMP with FRT Number 142760, and became legal for dealers to import for those with non-restricted possession and acquisition licenses. It is legal in Canada for hunting, varmint control, target practice and competitive shooting. It went into retail stores on September 17, 2013 and costs about $1,000 CAD.[37]

Export variant, chambered in 5.56 NATO.[38]

Shortened variant, chambered in 5.56 NATO.[39][40]

A T97NSR modified with a Flat Top Upper (FTU), made by T97.ca.[41]

EMEI T97NSR modified with a Flat Top Upper (FTU) and Lower Hand Guard (LHG), made by T97.ca

Enhanced variants with a Picatinny rail replacing the top carrying handle (so called "flat-top") have been built in both Canada and China.

Two export variants, dubbed the EM3516[42] and T97NSR-A,[43] have been unveiled.

The MA-1 Mk III series is based on the QBZ-97s that are exported to Myanmar back in 2009.[44][9][45]

The rifles were made without any licensing agreement with Norinco despite claims that Myanmar made it in the country, while using phenolic plastic materials in its construction.[46][47] Instead of the bayonet used by the QBZ-95, the MA-1 Mk IIIs use the bayonet based on the Type 81 assault rifle's own bayonet as standard equipment.[46]

They consist of the following variants:[44][48]

• MA-1 Mk III: Standard assault rifle.
• MA-2 Mk III: Light machine gun version with a long barrel and a bipod.
• MA-3 MK III: Carbine version. Known to be used by Myanmar special forces units.[49]
• MA-4 Mk III: Standard assault rifle equipped with an underbarrel grenade launcher. It's also known to be used by Myanma special forces units.[49]