QBZ-191

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Type 191 Automatic Rifle
QBZ-191 assault rifle
TypeAssault rifle
Carbine (QBZ-192)
Designated marksman rifle (QBU-191)
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2019–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
Designer208 Research Institute[1][2]
Designed2014–2020[1][better source needed]
ManufacturerChongqing Jianshe
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass3.4 kg (7.5 lb) (unloaded)[citation needed]
Length950 mm (37 in) (stock extended)
710 mm (28 in) (stock retracted)[citation needed]
Barrel length
  • 368 mm (14.5 in) (QBZ-191)
  • 266 mm (10.5 in) (QBZ-192)
  • 550 mm (21.7 in) (QBU-191)
[3]
Cartridge5.8×42mm DBP191
5.56×45mm NATO (QBZ-191T)
ActionGas-operated short-stroke piston[4][5]
Rate of fire750 rounds/min cyclic[3]
Effective firing range
Feed system
[6]
Sights
  • Flip-up iron sights
  • QMK-152 prism sight (3×)
  • QMK-171A prism sight (3×)
  • QMK-191 telescopic sight (3×–8.6×)[7]
  • IR5118 thermal scope (1×)
  • Picatinny rail available for other optics
A QBZ-191 at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, 2021

The QBZ-191 Automatic Rifle (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 rifle's designation "QBZ" stands for "light weapon (Qīng Wǔqì) – rifle (Bùqiāng) – automatic (Zìdòng)".[8] The new rifle was formally revealed at the 70th Anniversary National Day military parade on 1 October 2019,[9] and also appeared in the 2025 China Victory Day Parade[10].

History

[edit]
A prototype of the QBZ-192

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.[11][12]

The QBZ-191 rifle was designed by Norinco's 208 Research Institute,[1] which also designed the bullpup QBZ-95 assault 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]

It is designated as part of the Type 20 (Chinese: 20式; pinyin: 20 Shì) weapon family by the People's Liberation Army.[1][13]

Design

[edit]

The QBZ-191 features several improvements, aiming to resolve the unsatisfactory issues, such as ergonomics, of the Type 95 platform.[11][5]

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.[11]

Sights

[edit]

The QBZ-191 rifle features a full-length Picatinny rail on the top and 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,[14] and the weapon can also be equipped with the IR5118 digital night vision/thermal scope.[15]

The rifle is also equipped with backup iron sights that can be folded down when not in use.[11]

Ergonomics

[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 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.[11][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]

Operation

[edit]

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 standard QBZ-191 has a full-auto rate of fire at 750 rounds per minute.[3]

Feeding

[edit]

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.[16]

The weapon can also feed from the transparent 30-round polymar magazine,[14] older 30-round QBZ-95 magazines,[6] and from the 75-round magazines of the QJB-95 light support weapons.[6]

The handguard has provisions at its 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions, 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.[11][5]

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 with an effective range of up to 800 meters.[16][17][18]

Accessories

[edit]

The weapon platform can be mounted with bayonets, suppressors, and under-barrel grenade launchers.[5]

Variants

[edit]

The platform features various barrel lengths and handguard configurations. Modified variants are also available for export[19].

QBZ-191

[edit]

Assault rifle with a 14.5 in (368.3 mm) barrel.[3]

QBZ-192

[edit]

Carbine variant with a 10.5 in (266.7 mm) barrel.[3][20]

QBU-191

[edit]

Designated marksman rifle with an 800 m (870 yd) effective range.[1][21]

The QBU-191 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 QBU-191, improving its fire suppression capability[3]. The QBU-191 could also be used as a light support weapon if being equipped with a drum magazine.[3]

Export variants

[edit]

QBZ-195T

[edit]

A variant of the QBZ-191 meant to be chambered in 5.56mm NATO ammo.[22]

CS/LR42

[edit]

QBZ-191 variant chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.[23]

CS/LR42A

[edit]

QBZ-192 variant chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.[23]

CS/LR43

[edit]

QBZ-191 variant chambered in 7.62×39mm.[23]

CS/LR43A

[edit]

QBZ-192 variant chambered in 7.62×39mm.[23]

CS/LR44

[edit]

QBU-191 variant chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO.[24]

Adoption

[edit]

Chinese service

[edit]

It was reported since 2021 that the QBZ-191 would eventually replace the QBZ-95 and QBZ-03 in PLA service.[25]

Since August 2023, Chinese special forces units use the QBZ-192 with armored infantry units following suit.[26] Meanwhile, the QBU-191 will replace the QBU-88 as the new sniper rifle of Chinese forces.[27]

Export

[edit]

During the "Laos-China Friendship Shield-2024" military exercises in July 2024, Chinese troops presented the QBZ-191 to their Laotian counterparts.[28]

In August 2024, Thailand reportedly was the first nation to acquire the QBZ-195T for Thai special forces, based on their experience from interactions with Chinese soldiers in joint exercises including “Assault-2023” and “Blue Assault-2023".[22] This is part of Thai efforts to diversify sources of military hardware.[29]

Users

[edit]
A PLAGF soldier armed with a QBZ-191 rifle during the 2021 International Army Games

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to QBZ-191.
  1. ^ a b c d e f "20式枪族各显神威 狙击快狠准". Ta Kung Pao (in Chinese). 13 February 2023.
  2. ^ "第一时间" (video). YouTube (in Chinese). CCTV-2. 21 October 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Schooler, Lynndon (6 January 2025). "China's New Assault Rifle - The QBZ-191". The Firearms Blog.
  4. ^ a b c d e Wood, Peter (November 2019). "China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA". Operational Environment Watch. US: TRADOC.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "QBZ-191 assault rifle (China)". Modern Firearms. October 2021.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "More details emerge about PLA's new assault rifle". Janes Information Services. 14 November 2019.
  9. ^ Makichuk, Dave (23 April 2020). "QBZ-191: Meet China's new assault rifle". Asia Times.
  10. ^ "Honour guards in China's military parade to carry PLA's latest QBZ-191 rifles". South China Morning Post. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "QBZ-1(x)式自动步枪". GunWorld (in Chinese). 12 March 2020.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "他，给20式枪族"立规矩"的人！" (video). CCTV (in Chinese). CCTV-7. 30 April 2024.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "QBU-191 5.8mm precision rifle of China revealed". China-Arms. 20 May 2020.
  16. ^ a b J, Anthony (30 September 2019). "First Photos of Chinese PLA New Standard Rifle and What We Know So Far". The Firearm Blog.
  17. ^ Roblin, Sebastien (8 January 2021). "What We've Learned About China's New QBZ-191 Assault Rifle". National Interest.
  18. ^ "China's QBZ-191 automatic rifle receives accuracy boost with tactical scopes - Global Times". www.globaltimes.cn. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  19. ^ "China's newly unveiled light arms, robo-wolf brings versatility, tactical power - Global Times". www.globaltimes.cn. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ Suciu, Peter (22 December 2020). "Chinese PLA Troops in Tibet are Getting New QBU-191 Sniper Rifles". National Interest.
  22. ^ a b Admin (5 August 2024). "Thailand Special Forces Choose New Rifle, Chinese-Made QBZ-195T". Defence Security Asia. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d "Next-gen guns at Airshow China: QBZ-191". Guangdong News. 13 November 2024.
  24. ^ 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).
  25. ^ "Images emerge of PLA's newest infantry weapons". Janes Information Services. 25 June 2021. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024.
  26. ^ "China equips armored infantry with QBZ-192 carbine".
  27. ^ "中国新一代8.6毫米狙击步枪即将亮相 88狙或被淘汰". Sina Military Official Account.
  28. ^ "Laos Deepens Military Ties with China | US ABC". www.usasean.org. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  29. ^ Chamber, Paul (2 December 2024). "Thailand's Army White Paper: Heat is on to Supply the RTA". FULCRUM. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  30. ^ Saballa, Joe (19 October 2021). "China Introduces Next-Gen QBZ-191 Assault Rifle". The Defense Post.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "Thailand to Become First Export Customer of China's QBZ-195T Rifles". The Defense Post. 7 August 2024.