What Is The Standard Issue Chinese Army Assault Rifle
It is widely known that the Chinese military has long used the QBZ-95 assault rifle as their standard issue infantry combat weapon. The QBZ-95, also called the Type 95, is a gas-operated, magazine-fed assault rifle that has been in service since 1997. It is the standard-issue infantry weapon for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and People’s Armed Police Force. The QBZ-95 features a number of design features that are unique to it, such as a heavy barrel, a distinctive short-stroke gas piston system, and a bullpup configuration that ensures a compact weapon layout and efficient use of space. The QBZ-95 is designed to fire the 5.8×42mm DBP87 cartridge, which provides greatly improved ballistics and effective range over the standard-issue rifles of other nations.
The QBZ-95 is also credited for being the first modern infantry weapon to feature a significant amount of computer-aided design and engineering. This is evidenced by the presence of a CNC-machined receiver and gas-block, plus the inclusion of several laser-welded components. The QBZ-95 is made of lightweight materials such as aluminum alloy and polymer composites, while the barrel and bolt are made of chrome-moly steel. The QBZ-95 also features a separate handguard with a heat shield and a full-length top rail to mount tactical accessories.
The QBZ-95 is a very accurate rifle, capable of delivering consistent 2-inch groups at 100 yards with standard 5.8x42mm ammunition. It is also renowned for its reliability, and has been reported to function reliably even in the harshest of environments or battlefield conditions. The choice of left or right-hand operation is possible, allowing the QBZ-95 to be used by either left or right handed shooters.
The QBZ-95 also employs a full range of combat and support equipment, such as optical and collimator sights, range finders, scopes, bayonets, and cleaning kits. There are also a number of accessories designed for the QBZ-95, such as the ASM-01 quick-action recoil-absorbing stock buttpad and the custom-made FSP-95 flip-up tactical forestock.
Operational Characteristics Of The Weapon
The QBZ-95 is an air-cooled, gas-operated weapon that is capable of both semi-automatic and automatic fire. It has a cyclic rate of fire of around 600 rounds per minute and features a two-position gas regulator. The barrel length of the QBZ-95 is 510mm, while the total length of the rifle is 905mm. It has a weight of 3.2kg when fully loaded.
The QBZ-95 is designed with the ability to be fired from either the shoulder or the hip, allowing for greater situational flexibility. It has a maximum effective range of around 600 meters and can penetrate 4mm of steel plate at 100 meters.
In terms of magazines, the QBZ-95 uses a proprietary 25-round box magazine, as well as a 20-round polymer magazine. The rifle is also capable of accepting standard M16-style magazines.
Advantages Of The QBZ-95
The QBZ-95 is thought to offer a number of advantages over other assault rifles, particularly those of Western designs. Firstly, the QBZ-95 is lighter than many of its rivals, making it easier to carry and operate in the field. The QBZ-95 also features a number of design features that help to improve accuracy and reliability. In addition, the rifle is well-suited to rapid firing, as evidenced by its relatively fast cyclic rate of fire.
The design of the QBZ-95 also allows for good controllability, as the rifle is fitted with a two-position gas regulator which helps to reduce the effects of recoil on the shooter. The rifle also incorporates a bullpup design, which ensures a compact weapon layout and enhances the rifle’s ergonomics.
The Chinese army has long used the QBZ-95 assault rifle as their standard issue infantry combat weapon, and it appears to have been a successful choice. The QBZ-95 is a reliable, accurate, and versatile weapon that is well suited to both close quarters combat and longer range engagements.
The QBZ-95 In Chinese Military Service
The QBZ-95 has seen extensive service in the Chinese military, particularly in the form of the Type 97 assault rifle and its variants. The Type 97 is an improved variant of the QBZ-95 with an upgraded gas system and adjustable gas regulator and is the standard-issue rifle of the Chinese military. The rifle has also been adopted by several special forces units, as well as being used as a training rifle in the People’s Liberation Army.
The QBZ-95 has also been noted for its presence in the Chinese Navy, where it is used aboard ships and submarines as a defensive weapon, as well as by the air force for airbase security. The QBZ-95 has also been exported for use by the armed forces of a number of countries, including Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The Future Of The QBZ-95
The Chinese military has developed several successors to the QBZ-95, such as the Type 97 series and the QBB-95, but neither of these have achieved widespread adoption. Instead, the QBZ-95 appears to be holding its own in the Chinese military, with some indications that the rifle may remain in service for the foreseeable future.
The QBZ-95 is likely to remain in Chinese military service for the foreseeable future, but there have been some indications that the Chinese military may be planning to transition to a new infantry weapon. The Chinese military is believed to be developing a new assault rifle based on the QBZ-95 platform, which could see the QBZ-95 replaced in the coming years.
Improvements To The QBZ-95 Design
The Chinese military has long sought to improve upon the QBZ-95 design, with several efforts being undertaken to increase the weapon’s performance. In recent years, a number of modifications have been made to the QBZ-95 to improve its accuracy, reliability, and ergonomics. These include the addition of a two-position gas regulator, changes to the gas system, and the addition of a muzzle brake.
The Chinese military has also sought to make the QBZ-95 more user-friendly by incorporating a number of ergonomic features into the design. These include a pistol grip that can be easily adjusted to fit the user’s hand, a cheek rest, and a handguard with a heat shield.
In addition, the Chinese military has looked to improve the accuracy of the QBZ-95 by introducing a number of modifications to the barrel and gas system. These improvements are designed to allow for greater precision when firing at long range.
Accessories For The Chinese Army
The Chinese military has developed a wide range of accessories for the QBZ-95, designed to make the rifle more versatile and easier to use in the field. These include various sights and scopes, bayonets, slings, and cleaning kits. Additionally, a number of aftermarket products have become available for the QBZ-95, such as the ASM-01 quick-action recoil-absorbing stock buttpad and the custom-made FSP-95 flip-up tactical forestock.
Minor Variants Of The QBZ-95
The Chinese military has also developed a number of minor variants of the QBZ-95, such as the QBZ-97, QBZ-97A, QBZ-97B and QBZ-97C. These variants feature various improvements over the original QBZ-95, including an adjustable gas system, a side-folding stock, and a monolithic Picatinny rail for mounting accessories.
The Chinese military has also developed a number of export variants of the QBZ-95, such as the QBZ-03 and the QBZ-05. These variants feature some minor differences to the original QBZ-95, such as the use of a different stock and handguard.
Conclusion
The QBZ-95 is one of the most successful and widely used assault rifles in the world, and for good reason. The rifle is lightweight, accurate, reliable, and well-suited to modern battlefield conditions. The Chinese military has made a number of modifications to the QBZ-95 in order to improve its performance, and has developed a number of accessories and minor variants that make it a more versatile weapon. The QBZ-95 thus appears set to remain a mainstay of the Chinese military for the foreseeable future.
