| Qing Buqiang Zidong QBZ-95 Light Rifle Family | |
|---|---|
 QBZ-95 | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1997-Present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Sri Lankan Civil War 2008 Cambodian-Thai stand-off |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China North Industries Corporation and China South |
| Produced | 1995—present |
| Variants | QBZ-95B Carbine, QBZ-95 Rifle, QBB-95 LSW, QBZ-97 5.56 mm Rifle, QBZ-97A 5.56 mm Rifle, QBB-97 LSW 5.56 mm Rifle, QBZ-97B 5.56 mm Carbine |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.9 kg (6.4 lb) (QBZ-95B Carbine) 3.25 kg (7.2 lb) (QBZ-95 Rifle) 3.35 kg (7.4 lb) (QBZ-97 Export) 3.9 kg (8.6 lb) (QBB-95 LSW) |
| Length | 609 mm (24 in) (QBZ-95B Carbine) 745 mm (29.3 in) (QBZ-95 Rifle) 758 mm (29.8 in) (QBZ-97 and QBZ-97A) 840 mm (33.1 in) (QBB-95 LSW) |
| Barrel length | 369 mm (14.5 in) (QBZ-95B Carbine) 463 mm (18.2 in) (QBZ-95 Rifle) 490 mm (19.3 in) (QBZ-97 and QBZ-97A) 600 mm (23.6 in) (QBB-95 LSW) |
| | |
| Cartridge | 5.8x42mm DBP87 (QBZ-95), 5.56x45mm NATO (QBZ-97) |
| Action | Gas-Operated, Rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | ~650 rounds/min (QBZ-95) ~800 rounds/min (QBZ-95B Carbine) |
| Muzzle velocity | QBZ-95 - 930 m/s (3,050 ft/s), QBB-95 - 970 m/s (3181 ft/s), QBZ-95B - 790 m/s (2581 ft/s) |
| Effective range | Rifle - 400m point target, 600m area target LSW - 600m point target, 800m area target Carbine - 300m point target, 500m area target |
| Feed system | 30-round box magazine 75-round drum |
| Sights | hooded post front sight and aperture rear sight |
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 very complex recoil buffer system, the rifle is claimed to be more controllable in automatic fire. The aim was to develop an assault rifle based around the 5.8x42mm round, with specifications of being accurate and reliable. After extensive trials, data was produced showing that the system produces accuracy comparable to the American M-16A3 with reliability of that to the Russian AK-74. Field trials showed that the system along with the smaller round, retained a flatter trajectory path then both the 5.45x39mm and 5.56x45mm round at distances of 400-500m.
QBZ-95 (Rifle)
This is the standard version of the rifle used domestically, chambered for the 5.8x42mm DBP87 round.
The PLA has reportedly undertaken a program to improve the Type 95. The lead designer of the Type 95 program, who's now retired, has stated that the project is being worked on by some of his students. Known goals for the program are to:
1. Improve the rifle's ergonomics/controls.
2. Chamber it for new ammunition with double the effective range.
3. Add a quick-firing grenade launcher.
QBZ-95B (Carbine)
This is a shorter and lighter version of the standard rifle. From pictures seen the QBZ-95B is seen issued only to Naval Officers, possibly due to the limit room in Naval vessel that prohibit the full length rifle to be used in close quarters.
QBB-95 LSW (Light Support Weapon)
This light support weapon fulfills the role as the squad machine gunner. It's in the same respect as the QBZ-95 Rifle with modified longer and heavier barrel, higher firing rate, heavier cartridge and is equipped with larger 75-round drum magazine.
QBZ-97 (5.56 mm Assault Rifle)
The Chinese have constructed an export version, the QBZ-97, which is similar to the QBZ-95 in all respects except that it is chambered for 5.56 mm NATO instead of the original Chinese 5.8 mm cartridge and has a deep magazine well designed to accept STANAG magazines.
QBZ-97A (5.56 mm Assault Rifle)
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.
QBZ-97B (5.56 mm Carbine)
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)".
QBB-97 LSW (5.56 mm Light Support Weapon)
The light support weapon model of the QBZ-97.
