Engineering:QBZ-191

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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 Chongqing Jianshe as a new-generation service rifle for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Armed Police (PAP).

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.[1][2]

The QBZ-191 rifle was designed by Norinco's 208 Research Institute,[3] 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" (Chinese: 单兵综合作战系统), which aims to overhaul the PLA's infantry equipment.[4]

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[5].

Adoption

It was reported since 2021 that the QBZ-191 would eventually replace the QBZ-95 and QBZ-03 in PLA service.[6]

Since August 2023, Chinese special forces units use the QBZ-192 with armored infantry units following suit.[7]

During the "Laos-China Friendship Shield-2024" military exercises in July 2024, Chinese troops presented the QBZ-191 to their Laotian counterparts.[8]

Design

The QBZ-191 features several improvements, aiming to resolve the unsatisfactory issues, such as ergonomics, of the Type 95 platform.[1][9]

Compared to the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-191 uses a conventional configuration similar to the QBZ-03, with greatly improved ergonomics, ambidextrous usability, and better reliability across different environments.[1]

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×[10] riflescope called QMK-191[11] or the IR5118 digital night vision/thermal scope.[12]

The rifle is also equipped with backup iron sights that can be folded down when not in use.[1]

Operation

The QBZ-191 platform features a short-stroke piston gas-operation design with rotating bolt.[4][9]

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.[13]

The standard QBZ-191 has a full-auto rate of fire at 750 rounds per minute.[13]

Ergonomics

The QBZ-191 platform features various barrel lengths and handguard configurations. It is designated as part of the Type 20 (Chinese: 20式; pinyin: 20 Shì) weapon family by the People's Liberation Army.[3][14]

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.[1][9]

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.[4][9]

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.[1][9]

The QBU-191, its DMR variant, is fitted with an accurized long, heavy free-floating barrel and extended handguard.[10]

Ammunition

Main article: Engineering:5.8×42mm

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.[15][16]

Magazines

The weapon can feed from the transparent 30-round polymer magazine,[11] older 30-round QBZ-95 magazines,[17] and from the 75-round magazines of the QJB-95 light support weapons.[17]

The new polymer magazine has a redesigned surface texture for better grip and a transparent ammunition-checking window.[4] with a design similar to that of Magpul PMAG.[15]

Accessories

The weapon platform can be mounted with the QNL-95 bayonet, suppressors, and under-barrel grenade launchers.[9]

Variants

QBZ-191

Assault rifle with a 14.5 in (368.3 mm) barrel.[13]

QBZ-192

Carbine variant with a 10.5 in (266.7 mm) barrel.[13][18][19]

QBU-191

Designated marksman rifle with an 800 m (870 yd) effective range.[3]

May be configured into a light support weapon if equipped with a drum magazine[13].

QBZ-195T

QBZ-191 variant meant to be chambered in 5.56mm NATO ammo.[20]

CS/LR42

QBZ-191 variant chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.[21]

CS/LR42A

QBZ-192 variant chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.[21]

CS/LR43

QBZ-191 variant chambered in 7.62×39mm.[21]

CS/LR43A

QBZ-192 variant chambered in 7.62×39mm.[21]

CS/LR44

QBU-191 variant chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO.[22]

  • A QBZ-191 at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, 2021
    A QBZ-191 at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, 2021
  • A QBZ-191 at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, 2021
    A QBZ-191 at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, 2021
  • A QBZ-191 at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, 2021
    A QBZ-191 at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, 2021
  • A silhouette of the QBZ-192 prototype
    A silhouette of the QBZ-192 prototype
  • A PLAGF soldier armed with a QBZ-191 rifle during the 2021 International Army Games
    A PLAGF soldier armed with a QBZ-191 rifle during the 2021 International Army Games
  • A PLAGF soldier armed with a QBZ-191 rifle during the 2021 International Army Games
    A PLAGF soldier armed with a QBZ-191 rifle during the 2021 International Army Games
  • A PLAGF soldier armed with a QBZ-191 rifle and a QSZ-92 pistol holstered during the 2021 International Army Games
    A PLAGF soldier armed with a QBZ-191 rifle and a QSZ-92 pistol holstered during the 2021 International Army Games
  • A QBZ-191 rifle on display
    A QBZ-191 rifle on display
  • QBZ-191 rifles on the hands of People's Liberation Army Air Force Airborne Corps soldier during the 2025 China Victory Day Parade
    QBZ-191 rifles on the hands of People's Liberation Army Air Force Airborne Corps soldier during the 2025 China Victory Day Parade

Users

  •  China: Being adopted by the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police.[23]
    •  Hong Kong: Reported to be seen with HKPF PTU officers during a parade in 2023.[24]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "QBZ-1(x)式自动步枪" (in zh). 2020-03-12. http://pewpewpew.work/china/rifle/qbz1x/qbz1x.htm. 
  2. ↑ F, Nathaniel (18 May 2017). "Chinese PLA Ground Forces and Marines to Replace QBZ-95-1 with Completely New NON-BULLPUP Rifle?". https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/05/18/chinese-pla-ground-forces-marines-replace-qbz-95-1-completely-new-non-bullpup-rifle/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named takungpao-type20
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Wood, Peter (November 2019). "China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA". Operational Environment Watch (US: TRADOC). https://community.apan.org/wg/tradoc-g2/fmso/m/oe-watch-past-issues/302274/download. 
  5. ↑ Makichuk, Dave (23 April 2020). "QBZ-191: Meet China's new assault rifle". https://asiatimes.com/2020/04/china-fields-traditional-assault-rifle-in-qbz-191/. 
  6. ↑ "Images emerge of PLA's newest infantry weapons". 2021-06-25. Archived from the original on 2024-06-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20240615164951/https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/images-emerge-of-plas-newest-infantry-weapons. 
  7. ↑ "China equips armored infantry with QBZ-192 carbine". https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2023/china-equips-armored-infantry-with-qbz-192-assault-rifle. 
  8. ↑ "Laos Deepens Military Ties with China | US ABC". https://www.usasean.org/article/laos-deepens-military-ties-china. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 "QBZ-191 assault rifle (China)". October 2021. https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/china-assault-rifles/qbz-191-2/. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named qbu_lpvo
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "191型精准步枪高原开打！"透明弹匣+高倍瞄准镜"细节满满" (in Chinese). 23 June 2022. https://www.163.com/dy/article/HAIK9LQT0515DHOR.html. 
  12. ↑ "QBU-191 5.8mm precision rifle of China revealed". 20 May 2020. https://www.china-arms.com/2020/05/qbu191-precision-rifle-revealed/. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Schooler, Lynndon (6 January 2025). "China’s New Assault Rifle - The QBZ-191". https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/chinas-new-assault-rifle-the-qbz-191-44817586. 
  14. ↑ "他，给20式枪族"立规矩"的人！" (in zh) (video). CCTV-7. 2024-04-30. https://military.cctv.com/2024/04/30/ARTIUscmrUHsR5BEXP1xThjQ240430.shtml. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 J, Anthony (30 September 2019). "First Photos of Chinese PLA New Standard Rifle and What We Know So Far". https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/09/30/first-photo-of-the-chinese-pla-new-standard-rifle-and-what-we-know-so-far/. 
  16. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien (8 January 2021). "What We've Learned About China's New QBZ-191 Assault Rifle". https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/what-we%E2%80%99ve-learned-about-china%E2%80%99s-new-qbz-191-assault-rifle-176087. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named cctv7-2022-yt
  18. ↑ Wood, Peter (20 November 2019). "China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA". https://www.ashtreeanalytics.com/posts/china-introduces-new-battle-rifle-for-the-pla. 
  19. ↑ Suciu, Peter (22 December 2020). "Chinese PLA Troops in Tibet are Getting New QBU-191 Sniper Rifles". https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/chinese-pla-troops-tibet-are-getting-new-qbu-191-sniper-rifles-174877. 
  20. ↑ Admin (2024-08-05). "Thailand Special Forces Choose New Rifle, Chinese-Made QBZ-195T" (in en-GB). https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/thailand-special-forces-choose-new-rifle-chinese-made-qbz-195t/. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 "Next-gen guns at Airshow China: QBZ-191". 2024-11-13. https://www.newsgd.com/node_d36b0ef83f/92c220ce8e.shtml. 
  22. ↑ Yang, Heng (2024-09-11). "珠海航展轻武器开箱 惊现7.62NATO的QBU-191" (in zh) (video). https://weibo.com/tv/show/1034:5098839724720186. 
  23. ↑ Saballa, Joe (19 October 2021). "China Introduces Next-Gen QBZ-191 Assault Rifle". https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/10/19/china-qbz-191-assault-rifle/. 
  24. ↑ "香港警察护旗方队手持191步枪？网友：要换装国产武器了？" (in zh). Beijing: 军武速递. 2023-12-13. https://www.sohu.com/a/743695110_120433101. 

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