QBZ-191


The QBZ-191 is a Chinese assault rifle chambered for the 5.8×42mm intermediate cartridge, designed and manufactured by Chongqing Jianshe as a new-generation service rifle for the People's Liberation Army and People's Armed Police. The QBZ-191 is to replace the QBZ-95 in service with the Chinese army.

History

The Chinese military initiated the development of conventional-layout service 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.
The QBZ-191 rifle was designed by Norinco's 208 Research Institute, which also designed the QBZ-95 rifle.
According to the director of the 208 Research Institute, QBZ-191 is a component of the new "Integrated Soldier Combat System", which aims to overhaul the PLA's infantry equipment.
The QBZ-191 was formally revealed at the 70th Anniversary National Day military parade on 1 October 2019, carried by personnel of the PLA Ground Force and People's Armed Police.

Adoption

It was reported since 2021 that the QBZ-191 would eventually replace the QBZ-95 and QBZ-03 in PLA service. The main reason for replacing the QBZ-95 with a new automatic rifle is considered to be the problems inherent in the bullpup layout, which during real mass operation in the troops nullify its advantages. For example, complicated reloading and a change in the center of gravity when the magazine is not full.
Since August 2023, Chinese special forces units use the QBZ-192 with armored infantry units following suit.
During the "Laos-China Friendship Shield-2024" military exercises in July 2024, Chinese troops presented the QBZ-191 to their Laotian counterparts.

Design

The QBZ-191 features several improvements, aiming to resolve the unsatisfactory issues, such as ergonomics, of the Type 95 platform.
Unlike the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-191 has a conventional design similar to the QBZ-03, with greatly improved ergonomics, ambidextrous usability, and better reliability across different environments.

Sights

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 QBU-191 DMR variant is equipped with a new 3–8.6× riflescope called QMK-191 or the IR5118 digital night vision/thermal scope.
The rifle is also equipped with backup iron sights that can be folded down when not in use.

Operation

The QBZ-191 platform features a short-stroke piston gas-operation design with rotating bolt.
The rotating bolt has four locking lugs and a helical cam-in locking mechanism. A three-position gas regulator is located at the gas block attached to the handguard via dovetails.
The fire control group is a self-contained modular unit, with a fire selector in the order of safe, full auto, and semi-automatic firing.
The standard QBZ-191 has a full-auto rate of fire at 750 rounds per minute.

Ergonomics

The QBZ-191 platform features various barrel lengths and handguard configurations. It is designated as part of the Type 20 weapon family by the People's Liberation Army.
The QBZ-191's 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 QBZ-191 rifle has improved ergonomics, modularity, and customization options, 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 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 handguard has 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, bipod, and a type of grip pod with button controls for the integrated infantry combat system can be attached.
The QBU-191, its DMR variant, is fitted with an accurized long, heavy free-floating barrel and extended handguard.

Ammunition

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.

Magazines

The weapon can feed from the transparent 30-round polymer magazine, older 30-round QBZ-95 magazines, and from the 75-round magazines of the QJB-95 light support weapons.
The new polymer magazine has a redesigned surface texture for better grip and a transparent ammunition-checking window. with a design similar to that of Magpul PMAG.

Accessories

The weapon platform can be mounted with the QNL-95 bayonet, suppressors, and under-barrel grenade launchers.

Variants

QBZ-191

with a barrel.

QBZ-192

variant with a barrel.

QBU-191

with an effective range.
May be configured into a light support weapon if equipped with a drum magazine.

Export variants

QBZ-195T

International variant that is chambered in 5.56mm NATO ammo and primarily meant for export to Thailand.

CS/LR42

QBZ-191 variant chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.

CS/LR42A

QBZ-192 variant chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.

CS/LR43

QBZ-191 variant chambered in 7.62×39mm.

CS/LR43A

QBZ-192 variant chambered in 7.62×39mm.

CS/LR44

QBU-191 variant chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO.

Users

  • : Being adopted by the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police.
  • * : Reported to be seen with HKPF PTU officers during a parade in 2023.