QBZ-95
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The QBZ-95 (}}}; }}}; literally "Light Rifle Family") is an assault rifle manufactured by Norinco for the People's Liberation Army, the armed forces of the People's Republic of China. This weapon uses a newly-developed ammunition type of Chinese origin, the 5.8 x 42 mm DBP87. The QBZ-95 consists of a system of firearms using a common design. This family includes a carbine variant, a standard rifle, and a light support weapon.
Overview
The QBZ-95 was first observed outside China in 1997, when the United Kingdom ceded control of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China. The QBZ-95 is a modern weapons system in a bullpup configuration, where the weapon's action and magazine are located behind the grip and trigger assembly. It was designed to replace the standard-issue Type 81 rifle that was similar in design to the AK-47 series. The Type 81 fired the Soviet 7.62 x 39 mm M43 Cartridge.The QBZ-95 is comparable to many modern western assault rifles in several respects. It uses modern synthetic materials in its construction, it fires a small-caliber high-velocity bullet (in a class with the NATO standard 5.56 x 45 mm SS109 and the Russian 5.45 x 39 mm M74), and it employs a bullpup configuration like the British SA80 and the Steyr AUG.
Technical Aspects
The QBZ-95 is in all respects a modern infantry weapon. It has not been used in major combat and thus little can be said about its effectiveness. In addition, not much is known about the new 5.8 mm ammunition. What is known is that the QBZ-95 operates using a short-stroke gas operated rotating-bolt system, similar to most modern military rifles.The selector switch on the rifle has four settings. There is a "safe", "semi-automatic", three-round burst, and a fully automatic fire setting. This is another common feature in contemporary firearms, especially in those manufactured by Heckler & Koch such as the famous MP5.
Design Features
The design of the QBZ-95 seems to be based on that of the previous Type 86 rifle, which is a combat-proven mechanism that is very reliable and simple. This similarity also makes transitioning to the new rifle easier, as many of its operating principles are similar to the previous design. Thanks to the low recoil impulse of the new ammunition, the rifle is more controllable in automatic fire.Operation
Magazines are inserted into the magazine well, which is located to the rear of the pistol grip. The magazine is inserted front-first into the well so that the notch on the front of the magazine is retained in the well. The magazine is then "rocked" into place by rotating the rear of the magazine upwards into the well (in a manner similar to the AK-47 series) until the magazine release to the rear of the well is engaged. To release the magazine, the magazine release is pressed rearward, and the magazine pivoted forward and disengaged from the front recess.The charging handle is located under the integral carrying handle. To chamber a round and charge the weapon, this handle is pulled fully to the rear and then released forward to bring a round into battery. It is then ready to fire.
Design Flaws
-->The main criticism of this design is the perceived lack of hitting power. This is a trait shared with all small-caliber, high-velocity cartridges. The 5.8mm round is much smaller (5.8 vs 7.62 mm) and lighter (64 vs. 130 grain (4.15 vs 8.4 g)) than the 7.62 x 39 mm. However, it must be noted that small-caliber high-velocity rounds have proven effectivenss in large-scale conflicts like Vietnam, the Russian invasion of Afganistan, and conflicts in the Persian Gulf. The 5.8 mm round is designed to approximate the wounding effects of the Russian and NATO cartridges.
Common to many bullpup rifles is inability to shoot from the left shoulder. Because of the bullpup configuration of the QBZ-95, the action of the weapon is much closer to the user than in a conventional-layout weapon. Spent casings would eject into the face of an operator firing the weapon from the left shoulder. This is less of an issue in Asian countries because of a cultural difference: left-handedness is discouraged from an early age throughout most of Asia. Chinese soldiers are only taught how to fire right-handed in basic training. The SAR-21 rifle made for Singapore solved this problem by moving the ejection port forward and using an effective brass deflector to permit left-handed shooters to use the weapon.
Some experts are also concerned over the awkward position of the safety lever near the end of the rifle away from the shooter's hand. This position would make it difficult to quickly select "fire" when it is in "safe" mode.
Variants
-->There are four specialised variants of the QBZ-95.
QBZ-95 (Rifle)
This the standadr version of the rifle and also the version made for export as the QBZ-97 (chambered for 5.56 x 45 mm).QBZ-95B (Carbine)
This is a shorter and lighter version of the standard rifle.QBB-95 LSW (Light Support Weapon)
The light support weapon would fullfil the same role as the Squad Automatic Weapon in the US Armed Forces. It has a longer heavier barrel and higher rate of fire.KBU-88 Designated Markman
Sometimes also called the Type 88 (rifle), it is strictly speaking not a variant of the standard QBZ-95 rifle, because it has a slightly different internal design. It is optimized for use with a slightly different round that uses a heavier bullet thant the standard 5.8 x 42 mm.Export versions
-->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 in 5.56 mm NATO instead of the original Chinese 5.8 mm cartridge and has a deep magazine well designed to accept STANAG M16 style magazines. This design helps the gunner reload the magazine more quickly and more comfortable.
See also
External links
- [Modern Firearms - QBZ-95/Type 95 Assault Rifle]
- [Strategy Page/Military Photos]
- [Norinco QBZ-95]
- [China's new 5.8x42mm Weapons Complex Revealed]
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