QBZ-95

   The QBZ-95 or Type 95 assault rifle has been developed in China. It is an entirely new and modern family of weapons, which uses newly developed Chinese ammunition. This assault rifle has been designed to replace the ageing Type 81. The QBZ-95 was first adopted by the PLA elite units, however soon after it became the standard issue infantry rifle with the Chinese army, armed police and other law enforcement forces. This assault rifle was first observed in 1997. Export operators are Cambodia and Sri Lanka.

   It is a gas operated, selective fire assault rifle, with a bullpup layout. This weapon is chambered for indigenous Chinese 5.8 x 42 mm ammunition. This cartridge had been developed in the late 1980s. It is claimed to be superior to the standard NATO 5.56 x 45 mm and Soviet 5.45 x 39 mm ammunition. Design of this weapon do not resembles any of the previous Chinese designs.

   All weapons of the QBZ-95 family are designed around the same action and bullpup layout with a polymer housing. This family also includes a carbine and light machine gun. However these weapons can not be converted from one configuration to another.

   A safety / fire mode selector switch is located behind the magazine, from the left side. This assault rifle produces single shots, three round bursts or fully automatic fire. The QBZ-95 incorporates some features to reduce recoil, which is claimed to be low.

   The QBZ-95 is not ambidextrous. It's ejection port is made at the right side only. This weapon is fed from box-shaped polymer magazines, holding 30 rounds.

   Chinese sources reported that the QBZ-95 is as accurate as the US M16A3 and as reliable as the Soviet AK-74, however these claims have not been confirmed by Western sources.

   An integral carrying handle comes with built-in rear sight base. It is an open type and has a sighting range of 500 m. The carrying handle has mounting points for various sights or night vision scopes. Effective range of fire is about 400 m against a point target and 600 m against area target.

   The QBZ-95 assault rifle is compatible with a 40-mm underbarrel grenade launcher, similar to the US M203. A more compact indigenous underbarrel grenade launcher has also been observed. The QBZ-95 can also be used to launch rifle grenades. A knife-bayonet can be attached.

Variants

   QBZ-97 export version, chambered for the 5.56 x 45 mm standard NATO round and compatible with the standard NATO (M16-type) magazines. Internally it is similar to the QBZ-95. Another variant - the QBZ-97A has additional three-round burst mode and a different pistol grip;

   QBZ-95B carbine. This is a shorter and lighter version of the assault rifle. It is not compatible with bayonet or underbarrel grenade launcher due to it's short barrel;

   QBB-95 light machine gun, fitted with a bipod and heavier barrel. It uses a 75 round drum-type magazine.