QBZ-191
Modular Chinese assault rifle adopted in 2019 to replace the QBZ-95 bullpup: conventional layout with Picatinny rails, telescoping stock and modern optics issued as standard.
QBZ-191
Community
Data trust
- Reliability
- Unverified
- Sources
- Sources pending review
Identity
- Designation
- QBZ-191
- Manufacturer
- Norinco
- Country
- China
- Year
- 2019
- Category
- Assault rifle
- Status
- In service
Ballistics
- Caliber
- 5.8×42 mm DBP-191
- Muzzle velocity
- 900 m/s
- Rate of fire
- ~750 rpm
- Effective range
- 600 m
- Maximum range
- 800 m
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 368 mm
- Overall length
- 800 / 880 mm
- Empty weight
- 3.3 kg
Mechanics
- Operating system
- Gas-operated, short-stroke piston
- Bolt / action
- Rotating bolt
Feed
- System
- Caricatore curvo bifilare in polimero
- Standard capacity
- 30 rounds
Fire modes
Historical profile
Development
The QBZ-95, in service since 1997, had been criticised for its bullpup ergonomics poorly suited to left-handed shooters, rear-biased balance and difficulty in mounting modern optics. From 2010 the PLA launched a programme for a conventional-layout rifle.
The project was led by Norinco's 208th Research Academy. After comparative trials with competing prototypes, the weapon was adopted in 2019 as the QBZ-191 (Qīng Bùqiāng Zìdòng type 2019).
Design
Chambered in 5.8×42 mm DBP-191 (China's indigenous cartridge), it uses a short-stroke gas piston system and rotating bolt. The light-alloy upper receiver integrates a continuous Picatinny rail for optics and night-vision devices.
The handguard features M-LOK on three sides for accessories and a forward grip. Six-position telescoping stock, multi-port muzzle brake and a 3× primary optic with integrated red dot are standard issue.
Operational service
Issued to PLA elite units from 2019 and progressively extended to all regular forces. Three variants make up the family: standard QBZ-191 (14.5" barrel), QBZ-192 compact carbine (10" barrel) and QBU-191 DMR (18" barrel with pistol-grip stock).
Widely shown in Chinese military parades and joint exercises with Russia and Pakistan, it is now the symbol of the Chinese armed forces' modernisation under Xi Jinping.
Legacy
The QBZ-191 marks China's return to a conventional layout after over twenty years of bullpup designs, aligning with Western trends (M4, HK416, SCAR). Its modular platform is designed to evolve alongside the DBP-191 cartridge and next-generation sighting systems.
Variants
Main users
China
Key components
- ●Stock — Shoulder rest.
- ●Receiver — Weapon body with internal mechanisms.
- ●Grip — Primary grip.
- ●Magazine — Cartridge feed.
- ●Barrel — Guides the projectile.
