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QBZ-191

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Type 191 Automatic Rifle
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2019–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
ManufacturerNorinco
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Barrel length14.5 in (368.3 mm)
10.5 in (266.7 mm)(carbine)
21.7 in (551.2 mm)(DMR)
Cartridge5.8×42mm DBP-191
ActionGas-operated short-stroke piston
Rate of firec. 750 rounds/min
Effective firing range400 m (1,312.3 ft)
Feed system30-round detachable box magazine
75-round detachable drum magazine
SightsFlip-up iron sights
QMK-171A (3×)
QMK-191 LPVO (3×–8.6×)[1][2]
IR5118 thermal scope (1×)

The QBZ-191 Automatic Rifle (Chinese: 191式自动步枪; pinyin: Yāo jiǔ yāo Shì Zìdòng Bùqiāng) is a Chinese assault rifle chambered for the 5.8×42mm intermediate cartridge, designed and manufactured by Norinco as a new-generation service rifle for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Armed Police (PAP). The rifle's designation "QBZ" stands for "light weapon (Qīng Wŭqì) - rifle (Bùqiāng) - automatic (Zìdòng)".

The new rifle was formally revealed at the 70th Anniversary National Day military parade on October 1, 2019,[3] carried by troopers of the PLA Ground Force and People's Armed Police.

History

A PLAGF soldier armed with a QBZ-191 rifle during the 2021 International Army Games

Chinese military initiated the development of conventional layout rifles in 2014, with multiple manufacturers involved in the development and bidding process. Various prototypes of the new weapon platform were leaked online in 2016 and 2017.[4][5]

The QBZ-191 rifle was designed by Norinco's 208 Research Institute, which also designed the QBZ-95 assault rifle. According to the director of the 208 Research Institute, QBZ-191 is a component of the new "Integrated Soldier Combat System" (单兵综合作战系统), which aims to overhaul the PLA's infantry equipment.[6]

The QBZ-191 was first announced in the 2019 Chinese national parade and would gradually replace the QBZ-95 rifle family in Chinese military service. The QBZ-191 features several improvements, aiming to resolve the unsatisfactory issues, such as ergonomics, of the Type 95 platform.[7][4]

Design

Compared to the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-191 uses a conventional configuration with greatly improved ergonomics, ambidextrous usability, and better reliability across different environments.[4] The platform features various barrel lengths and handguard configurations. A shorter carbine version was carried by vehicle crews during the 2019 parade.[8]

The QBZ-191 rifle features a full-length Picatinny rail on the top and comes standard with new 3× daylight prismatic optics called QMK152 and QMK-171A, while a thermal sight is also available. The DMR variant is equipped with a new 3–8.6×[2] low power variable zoom sniper scope called QMK-191,[1] and the weapon can also be equipped with the IR5118 digital night vision/thermal scope.[9] The rifle is also equipped with backup iron sights that can be folded down when not in use.[4] The main body is divided into the upper and lower receivers, both are made of aluminium alloy and connected by two assembly pins, while the handguard, pistol grip, and telescoping stock are made of polymer material. The handguard has additional provisions at its 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions which allow small sections of Picatinny rails to be selectively installed through screw holes, so that various accessories such as flashlight, laser module, foregrip, and bipod can be attached.[4][7] The reciprocating charging handle is located on the right side, while the bolt-release button sits on the left, above the "rock-and-lock" magazine insertion well. The weapon features a short-stroke piston gas-operation design with rotating bolt.[7][6]

The rifle has improved ergonomics, featuring a 4-position adjustable buttstock, ambidextrous fire selector, and a lengthened magazine release lever located in front of the trigger guard for speed-reloading or easier manipulation when wearing gloves. The new polymer magazine has a redesigned surface texture for better grip, and a transparent ammunition-checking window.[6] The weapon platform can also be mounted with bayonet and sound suppressor.[4][7]

According to Chinese media, the QBZ-191 rifle is chambered in the Chinese-proprietary 5.8×42mm caliber with a redesigned DBP-191 ammunition that has better ballistic performance at medium to long ranges.[10][11] The rifle has been designed into three variants: a standard rifle version with a 368.3 mm (14.5 in) barrel, a carbine version with a 266.7 mm (10.5 in) barrel called QBZ-192,[12] and a long-barreled designated marksman rifle version called QBU-191.[13] The standard QBZ-191 has a full-auto rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute. The full-auto capability is retained on the QBU-191 designated marksman rifle, which could be easily configured into a light support weapon with a drum magazine.[14]

Variants

QBZ-191
Assault rifle with a 14.5 in (368.3 mm) barrel.[7]
QBZ-192
Carbine variant with a 10.5 in (266.7 mm) barrel.
QBU-191
Designated marksman rifle with an 800 m (870 yd) effective range,[15] fitted with an accurized long, heavy free-floating barrel, extended handguard, 30-round box magazine and a QMK-191 variable-magnification (3–8.6×) telescopic sight.[1] Selective fire with full-auto mode is retained on the marksman rifle, improving its fire suppression capability.[14]

Users

References

  1. ^ a b c "191型精准步枪高原开打！"透明弹匣+高倍瞄准镜"细节满满". NetEase News (in Chinese). 23 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b ""枪界变形金刚"列装部队 系解放军继"95式"后新一代枪族". Phoenix Media (in Chinese). 26 June 2022.
  3. ^ Makichuk, Dave (23 April 2020). "QBZ-191: Meet China's new assault rifle". Asia Times.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "QBZ-1(x)式自动步枪". Gun World (in Chinese). 2020-03-12.
  5. ^ F, Nathaniel (18 May 2017). "Chinese PLA Ground Forces and Marines to Replace QBZ-95-1 with Completely New NON-BULLPUP Rifle?". The Firearm Blog.
  6. ^ a b c Wood, Peter (November 2019). "China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA". Operational Environment Watch. US: TRADOC.
  7. ^ a b c d e "QBZ-191 assault rifle (China)". modern firearms.
  8. ^ Wood, Peter (20 November 2019). "China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA". Ashtree Analytics.
  9. ^ "QBU-191 5.8mm precision rifle of China revealed". China-Arms. 20 May 2020.
  10. ^ J, Anthony (30 September 2019). "First Photos of Chinese PLA New Standard Rifle and What We Know So Far". The Firearm Blog.
  11. ^ Roblin, Sebastien (8 January 2021). "What We've Learned About China's New QBZ-191 Assault Rifle". National Interest.
  12. ^ "QBZ-192 Carbine". military-today.
  13. ^ Suciu, Peter (22 December 2020). "Chinese PLA Troops in Tibet are Getting New QBU-191 Sniper Rifles". National Interest.
  14. ^ a b "QBU-191". military today.
  15. ^ "QBU-191精准步枪，击杀800米距离有生目标，或将取代88式狙击步枪". NetEase News (in Chinese). 17 August 2021.
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