QBZ-03
{{Short description|Chinese assault rifle}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{update|date=May 2011}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2011}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name=QBZ-03 assault rifle
(Qīngwǔqi Bùqiāng Zìdòng)
|image=QBZ03 automatic rifle 20170902.jpg
|image_size=
|caption= QBZ03 automatic rifle
|origin=China
|type=Assault rifle
|is_ranged=Yes
|service=2003–present
|used_by=
|wars=
|date=
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=Norinco
|production_date=2003–present
|number=
|variants=
|weight={{convert|3.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (unloaded)
|length={{convert|950|mm|in|abbr=on}} with stock extended, {{convert|725|mm|in|abbr=on}} with stock folded
|part_length={{convert|440|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|width=
|height=
|diameter=
|cartridge=5.8×42mm DBP87
5.56×45mm NATO
|action=Gas operated, rotating bolt
|rate=700–750 rounds/min
|velocity=930 m/s (3,050 ft/s)
|range={{convert|500|m|yd|abbr=on}}
|feed=30-round detachable box magazine
|sights=Fixed Type 56 style front sight, flip-up diopter rear sight
}}
The QBZ-03 (Mandarin: Qīngwǔqi Bùqiāng Zìdòng—"light rifle automatic") assault rifle, also known as the Type 03,{{cite web | url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2008/12/29/qbz-03-chinas-latest-assault-rifle/ | title=QBZ-03: China's latest assault rifle | date=29 December 2008 }} is a Chinese gas operated, selective-fire assault rifle designed and developed for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 round.{{cite web | url=https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/QBZ-03_(Type_03)_Chinese_5.8mm_Assault_Rifle | title=ODIN - OE Data Integration Network }}
Unlike the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-03 has a conventional design. It is designed to be easily used by police officers and soldiers already familiar with previously issued assault rifles.{{cite web | url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/what-weve-learned-about-chinas-new-qbz-191-assault-rifle-176087 | title=What We've Learned About China's New QBZ-191 Assault Rifle | date=9 January 2021 }}
History
The QBZ-03's design was finalized on December 2003 and it was given the name designation Type 03.https://web.archive.org/web/20070820155619/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/small_arms/type03rifle.asp It appears to be a continuation of the Type 87. Public information regarding the rifle was first reported in the November 2004 issue of "Weapon Knowledge".{{cite web | url=http://pewpewpew.work/china/rifle/03/03.htm | title=03式突击步枪 ——〖枪炮世界〗 }}
Plans to develop the QBZ-03 were made over concerns made from reports with the use of the QBZ-95.
Design details
The QBZ-03 has a faster rate of fire compared to QBZ-95. Operating system is similar to Type 81 assault rifle featuring rotating bolt locking and short-stroke gas piston.{{cite web |url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/china-assault-rifles/type-03-qbz-03-eng/ |title=Picture |author= |publisher=Modern Firearms |date=27 October 2010 |access-date=21 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226031758/http://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/china-assault-rifles/type-03-qbz-03-eng/ |archive-date=26 February 2018 |url-status=live }} The QBZ-03 has a folding stock.{{cite web | url=http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2007-03-20/0728435629.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901113227/http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2007-03-20/0728435629.html | archive-date=1 September 2011 | title=中国最新型Qbz03式5.8毫米自动步枪(图)_新浪军事_新浪网 }}
In 2015, the manufacturer displayed a version with a quad-rail hand guard; the short rear section screws onto the upper receiver.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/05/13/chinese-small-arms-7th-beijing-police-equipment-expo/|title=Chinese Small Arms from the 7th Beijing Police Equipment Expo|date=13 May 2015|access-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714010814/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/05/13/chinese-small-arms-7th-beijing-police-equipment-expo/|archive-date=14 July 2018|url-status=live}}
Variants
=EM3513=
The EM3513 is semi-automatic export variant, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge.{{cite web |url=http://www.emfirearms.com/production/3/2014/0815/198.html |title=EMEI/5.6mm Semi-Automatic Rifle Model EM3513 |access-date=2016-01-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033741/http://www.emfirearms.com/production/3/2014/0815/198.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}
Users
- {{China}}
- People's Liberation Army
- People's Liberation Army Ground Force border defense units{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Matthew |date=2018-12-18 |title=POTD: Border Guards with China's QBZ-03 Rifle |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/12/18/potd-border-guards-with-chinas-qbz-03-rifle/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=thefirearmblog.com |language=en}}
- People's Liberation Army Rocket Force{{Cite web |date=2018-09-17 |title=95步枪究竟是强是弱？轻武器专家为你客观解读95式 |url=https://imil.ifeng.com/60069765/news.shtml?&back |website=Phoenix Television}}
- People's Armed Police{{Cite web |last1=Dai |first1=Xusheng |last2=Yang |first2=Hao |date=2021-06-21 |title=武警青海总队执勤支队二大队：驻扎无人区，守护青藏铁路 |trans-title=PAP Qinghai Corps Duties Detachment 2nd Battalion: Stationed in a dead zone and protecting the Qinghai Tibet railway |url=http://www.81.cn/2021zt/2021-06/21/content_10052976.htm |website=Chinese Military}}
- {{Flagicon image|United Wa State Army flag.png|23px}} United Wa State Army{{Cite web |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2012/05/07/china-supplies-qbz-03-rifle-to-united-wa-state-army/ |title=China Supplies QBZ-03 Rifle to United Wa State Army |date=7 May 2012 |access-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331042307/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2012/05/07/china-supplies-qbz-03-rifle-to-united-wa-state-army/ |archive-date=31 March 2019 |url-status=live }}
See also
- QTS-11 - An assault rifle with an integrated 20 mm airburst grenade launcher based on the QBZ-03.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category inline|Type 03 rifle}}
{{Norinco|state=expanded}}
{{Modern Chinese Infantry Weapons}}
Category:5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles
Category:Assault rifles of the People's Republic of China