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| Type 191 automatic rifle | |
|---|---|
 QBZ-191 rifle with QMK-171A prism sight | |
| Type | Assault rifle Carbine (QBZ-192) Designated marksman rifle (QBU-191) |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2019–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | 208 Research Institute[1][2] |
| Manufacturer | Chongqing Jianshe |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) (unloaded)[citation needed] |
| Length | 950 mm (37 in) (stock extended) 710 mm (28 in) (stock retracted)[citation needed] |
| Barrel length |
|
| Cartridge | 5.8×42mm DBP191 5.56×45mm NATO (QBZ-191T) |
| Action | Gas-operated short-stroke piston[4][5] |
| Rate of fire | 750 rounds/min cyclic[3] |
| Effective firing range |
|
| Feed system |
|
| Sights |
|
The QBZ-191 (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). The QBZ-191 is to replace the QBZ-95 in service with the Chinese army.
History
[edit]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.[8][9] The QBZ-191 rifle was designed by Norinco's 208 Research Institute,[1] 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.[10] In 2021, Janes Information Services reported that QBZ-191 was set to replace the QBZ-95 and QBZ-03 in PLA service.[11]
The QBZ-191 is designated as part of the Type 20 (Chinese: 20式; pinyin: 20 Shì) weapon family by the People's Liberation Army.[1][12]
During the "Laos-China Friendship Shield-2024" military exercises in July 2024, Chinese troops presented the QBZ-191 to their Laotian counterparts.[13] Royal Thai Army reportedly took interest in purchasing an export variant in 2025.[14]
Design
[edit]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.[8] The platform features various barrel lengths and handguard configurations. A shorter carbine version was carried by vehicle crews during the 2019 parade.[15] The rifle has been designed into three variants: a standard rifle version with a 368.3 mm (14.5 in) barrel, a carbine version with a 266.7 mm (10.5 in) barrel called QBZ-192, and a long-barreled DMR version called the QBU-191.[16]
Assembly and operation
[edit]The QBZ-191 automatic rifle features a full-length Picatinny rail on the top for mounting optics. The rifle is also equipped with backup iron sights that can be folded down when not in use.[8] The 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.[8][5] 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][5]
The weapon features a short-stroke piston gas-operation design with rotating bolt.[4][5] 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.[3] The QBZ-191 has a full-auto rate of fire at approximately 750 rounds per minute.[3] The selective fire is retained on the QBU-191 designated marksman rifle, allowing the conversion to a light support weapon.[3]
Ammunition
[edit]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.[17][18]
Ergonomics and accessories
[edit]
The 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 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.[17] The weapon can also feed from the transparent 30-round polymar magazine,[19] older 30-round QBZ-95 magazines,[6] and from the 75-round magazines of the QJB-95 light support weapons.[6]
The frontal handguard features provisions at its 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions for customization, 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.[8][5] The weapon platform can also be mounted with bayonets, suppressors, and under-barrel grenade launchers.[5] For the optics, the weapon comes standard with new 3× daylight prismatic optics called QMK152 and QMK-171A, while a thermal sight is also available. The DMR variant is equipped with a new 3–8.6×[7] scope called QMK-191,[19] and the weapon can also be equipped with the IR5118 digital night vision/thermal scope.[20]
Variants
[edit].jpg)
- QBZ-191
- Assault rifle with a 14.5 in (368.3 mm) barrel.[3]
- QBZ-192
- Carbine variant with a 10.5 in (266.7 mm) barrel.[3][21][22]
- QBU-191
- Designated marksman rifle with an 800 m (870 yd) effective range.[1] It is fitted with an accurized long, heavy free-floating barrel, extended handguard, 30-round box magazine, and a QMK-191 variable-magnification (3–8.6×) telescopic sight.[7] Selective fire with full-auto mode is retained on the marksman rifle, improving its fire suppression capability.[3]
- CS/LR42
- A variant of the QBZ-191 chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.[23]
- CS/LR42A
- A variant of the QBZ-192 chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.[23]
- CS/LR43
- A variant of the QBZ-191 chambered in 7.62×39mm.[23]
- CS/LR43A
- A variant of the QBZ-192 chambered in 7.62×39mm.[23]
- CS/LR44
- A variant of the QBU-191 chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO.[24]
Gallery
[edit]-
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 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 -
QBZ-191 rifles on the hands of People's Liberation Army Air Force Airborne Corps soldier during the 2025 China Victory Day Parade
.jpg){kind=small}
Users
[edit]
China: Being adopted by the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police.[25]
References
[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "20式枪族各显神威 狙击快狠准". Ta Kung Pao (in Chinese). 13 February 2023. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ "第一时间" (video). YouTube (in Chinese). CCTV-2. 21 October 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Schooler, Lynndon (6 January 2025). "China's New Assault Rifle - The QBZ-191". The Firearms Blog.
- ^ a b c d e Wood, Peter (November 2019). "China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA". Operational Environment Watch. US: TRADOC.
- ^ a b c d e f "QBZ-191 assault rifle (China)". Modern Firearms. October 2021.
- ^ a b c "新枪入列！中国军队新一代枪族震撼登场：191系列步枪大量细节曝光！透明弹匣 新型瞄具亮相 模块化设计公开！" (video). YouTube (in Chinese). CCTV-7. 12 April 2022.
- ^ a b c ""枪界变形金刚"列装部队 系解放军继"95式"后新一代枪族". Phoenix Media (in Chinese). 26 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "QBZ-1(x)式自动步枪". GunWorld (in Chinese). 12 March 2020.
- ^ F, Nathaniel (18 May 2017). "Chinese PLA Ground Forces and Marines to Replace QBZ-95-1 with Completely New NON-BULLPUP Rifle?". The Firearm Blog.
- ^ Makichuk, Dave (23 April 2020). "QBZ-191: Meet China's new assault rifle". Asia Times.
- ^ "Images emerge of PLA's newest infantry weapons". Janes Information Services. 25 June 2021. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024.
- ^ Mandal, Sohini (1 July 2025). "China bolsters QBZ191 assault rifle capabilities". Janes.
- ^ "Laos Deepens Military Ties with China | US ABC". www.usasean.org. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ Liu, Zhen (13 October 2025). "QBZ-191 assault rifle gives Chinese small arms tactical and export edge". South China Morning Post.
- ^ Wood, Peter (20 November 2019). "China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA". Ashtree Analytics. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ Suciu, Peter (22 December 2020). "Chinese PLA Troops in Tibet are Getting New QBU-191 Sniper Rifles". National Interest.
- ^ a b J, Anthony (30 September 2019). "First Photos of Chinese PLA New Standard Rifle and What We Know So Far". The Firearm Blog.
- ^ Roblin, Sebastien (8 January 2021). "What We've Learned About China's New QBZ-191 Assault Rifle". National Interest.
- ^ a b "191型精准步枪高原开打！"透明弹匣+高倍瞄准镜"细节满满". NetEase News (in Chinese). 23 June 2022. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022.
- ^ "QBU-191 5.8mm precision rifle of China revealed". China-Arms. 20 May 2020.
- ^ Wood, Peter (20 November 2019). "China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA". Ashtree Analytics. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ Suciu, Peter (22 December 2020). "Chinese PLA Troops in Tibet are Getting New QBU-191 Sniper Rifles". National Interest.
- ^ a b c d "Next-gen guns at Airshow China: QBZ-191". Guangdong News. 13 November 2024.
- ^ Yang, Heng (11 September 2024). "珠海航展轻武器开箱 惊现7.62NATO的QBU-191" (video). Weibo (in Chinese).
- ^ Saballa, Joe (19 October 2021). "China Introduces Next-Gen QBZ-191 Assault Rifle". The Defense Post.
- ^ "香港警察护旗方队手持191步枪？网友：要换装国产武器了？". Sohu (in Chinese). Beijing: 军武速递. 13 December 2023.