QBZ-191

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Type 191 Automatic Rifle
QBZ191zhuhai (cropped).jpg
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2019–present
Used byChina
Production history
ManufacturerNorinco
VariantsVariants
Specifications
Barrel length14.5 in (368.3 mm) (AR)
10.5 in (266.7 mm) (Carbine)
21.7 in (551.2 mm) (DMR/LSW)
Cartridge5.8×42mm DBP-191
ActionGas-operated short-stroke piston
Rate of firec. 750 rounds/min
Effective firing range400 m (1,312.3 ft) (AR)
300 m (984.3 ft) (Carbine)
800 m (2,624.7 ft) (DMR/LSW)
Feed system30-round detachable box magazine
75-round detachable drum magazine
SightsQMK-152 (3x)[1]
IR5118 thermal scope (1x)[1]
CS/OS20A (4x-15x)

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,[2] carried by troopers of the PLA Ground Force and People's Armed Police.[3]

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 is designed by Norinco's 208 Research Institute, who 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 2019 Chinese national parade and would gradually replace 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 a new 3× daylight prismatic optic called QMK-152, and a thermal sight is also available.[1] 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 made of aluminium alloy, with handguard, pistol grip and telescoping stock made of polymer material. Two receivers are connected by two assembly pins. 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 weapon 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 resigned texturing for better grip, and a transparent ammunition-checking window.[6][9]

According to Chinese media, the QBZ-191 rifle is chambered in the Chinese-proprietary 5.8×42mm caliber with a redesigned DBP-191 ammunition[10] that has better ballistic performance in medium to long ranges.[11][12] 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, 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.[14] 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.[15]

Most QBZ-191 rifles in the PLA service are issued with the 3× prismatic sight by default. The DMR variant is equipped with a new 4-15× sniper scope called CS/OS20A, and can also be equipped with the IR5118 digital night vision/thermal scope.[16] Aside from optics, the weapon platform can be mounted with bayonet, flashlight, laser module and sound suppressor.[4][7]

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.[17]
QBU-191
Designated marksman rifle with an 800 m (870 yd) effective range,[18] fitted with an accurized long, heavy free-floating barrel, extended M-LOK handguard, 30-round box magazine and a CS/OS20A variable-magnification (4-15×) telescopic sight.[19] Selective fire with full-auto mode retained on the marksman rifle, improving its fire suppression capability.[15]

Users[]

See also[]

  • QBZ-95 - The assault rifle being replaced.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "我军95步枪喜提全新瞄准镜 还用上这项黑科技(图)". Sohu News (in Chinese). 10 November 2020.
  2. ^ Makichuk, Dave (23 April 2020). "QBZ-191: Meet China's new assault rifle". Asia Times.
  3. ^ "NORINCO showcases Chinese army new rifles and machine guns at Zhuhai airshow". Army recon.
  4. ^ a b c d e "QBZ1x". Guns’ World.
  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 "QBZ-191 assault rifle (China)". modern firearms.
  8. ^ Wood, Peter (20 November 2019). "China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA". Ashtree Analytics.
  9. ^ "New Chinese Assault Rifle". Military Today.
  10. ^ "DBP-191才是QBZ-191突击步枪的灵魂！可惜知道太少". toutiao (in Chinese). 2 October 2020.
  11. ^ J, Anthony (30 September 2019). "First Photos of Chinese PLA New Standard Rifle and What We Know So Far". The Firearm Blog.
  12. ^ Roblin, Sebastien (8 January 2021). "What We've Learned About China's New QBZ-191 Assault Rifle". National Interest.
  13. ^ Suciu, Peter (22 December 2020). "Chinese PLA Troops in Tibet are Getting New QBU-191 Sniper Rifles". National Interest.
  14. ^ "QBZ-191 New Chinese-made assault rifle carbine 5.8x42mm caliber". Army Recognition. 25 October 2019.
  15. ^ a b "中国版IAR步枪实锤？QBU191更多细节曝出，全自动泼水随意转换". kknews (in Chinese). 29 September 2021.
  16. ^ "QBU-191 5.8mm precision rifle of China revealed". China-Arms. 20 May 2020.
  17. ^ "中国新步枪名字实锤！为什么还有一个192���自动步枪？轻武专栏". NetEase News (in Chinese). 28 September 2021.
  18. ^ "对狙吗？我用75发弹鼓！中国191狙击步枪高清大图来了！". NetEase news. 19 November 2020.
  19. ^ "单兵装备空前提升 西藏军区换装新型QBU-191步枪(图)". Sina News (in Chinese). 19 October 2020.
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