QBZ-191#Variants

File:PLASHOOTER2021̠closeup01.jpg soldier armed with a QBZ-191 rifle during the 2021 International Army Games]]

File:QBZ-192 prototype white background.png

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/05/18/chinese-pla-ground-forces-marines-replace-qbz-95-1-completely-new-non-bullpup-rifle/ |title=Chinese PLA Ground Forces and Marines to Replace QBZ-95-1 with Completely New NON-BULLPUP Rifle? |website=The Firearm Blog |date=18 May 2017 |first=Nathaniel |last=F }}

The QBZ-191 rifle was designed by Norinco's 208 Research Institute, 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" ({{lang|zh|单兵综合作战系统}}), which aims to overhaul the PLA's infantry equipment.{{cite magazine |last=Wood |first=Peter |date= November 2019 |title=China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA |url=https://community.apan.org/wg/tradoc-g2/fmso/m/oe-watch-past-issues/302274/download |magazine=Operational Environment Watch |location= US |publisher=TRADOC |access-date=}}

The QBZ-191 was first announced in the 2019 Chinese national parade and would gradually replace the QBZ-95 rifle family in Chinese military service. The QBZ-191 features several improvements, aiming to resolve the unsatisfactory issues, such as ergonomics, of the Type 95 platform.{{cite web|url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/china-assault-rifles/qbz-191-2/ |title= QBZ-191 assault rifle (China) |website=Modern Firearms|date= October 2021 }} It was reported since 2021 that the QBZ-191 would eventually replace the QBZ-95 and QBZ-03 in PLA service.{{Cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/images-emerge-of-plas-newest-infantry-weapons|title=Images emerge of PLA's newest infantry weapons|date=2021-06-25|website=Janes Information Services}}

Since August 2023, Chinese special forces units use the QBZ-192https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2023/china-equips-its-special-forces-with-new-qbz-192-assault-rifle with armored infantry units following suit.https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2023/china-equips-armored-infantry-with-qbz-192-assault-rifle

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".{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2024-08-05 |title=Thailand Special Forces Choose New Rifle, Chinese-Made QBZ-195T |url=https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/thailand-special-forces-choose-new-rifle-chinese-made-qbz-195t/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Defence Security Asia |language=en-GB}} It was reported that the QBZ-195T had superior performance to the M4 and M16A4 rifles.{{Cite web |last=SOFREP News Team |date=2024-08-09 |title=Could the Chinese QBZ-195T Become the Next 'Go-To' Rifle of Thai Special Operations Units? |url=https://sofrep.com/news/chinese-qbz-195t-thailand/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=SOFREP |language=en}} This is part of Thai efforts to diversify sources of military hardware.{{Cite web |last=Chamber |first=Paul |date=2024-12-02 |title=Thailand's Army White Paper: Heat is on to Supply the RTA |url=https://fulcrum.sg/thailands-army-white-paper-heat-is-on-to-supply-the-rta/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=FULCRUM |language=en-US}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://pewpewpew.work/china/rifle/qbz1x/qbz1x.htm |title=QBZ-1(x)式自动步枪|date=2020-03-12|website=GunWorld|language=zh}} The platform features various barrel lengths and handguard configurations. A shorter carbine version was carried by vehicle crews during the 2019 parade.{{cite web |url=https://www.ashtreeanalytics.com/posts/china-introduces-new-battle-rifle-for-the-pla |title=China Introduces New Battle Rifle for the PLA |website=Ashtree Analytics |date=20 November 2019 |first=Peter |last=Wood |access-date=10 April 2021 |archive-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410220231/https://www.ashtreeanalytics.com/posts/china-introduces-new-battle-rifle-for-the-pla |url-status=dead }}

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× scope called QMK-191,{{cite web|url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/HAIK9LQT0515DHOR.html |title=191型精准步枪高原开打！"透明弹匣+高倍瞄准镜"细节满满 |language=Chinese |date=23 June 2022 |website=NetEase News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722141018/https://www.163.com/dy/article/HAIK9LQT0515DHOR.html |archive-date=22 July 2022 |url-status=live }} and the weapon can also be equipped with the IR5118 digital night vision/thermal scope.{{cite web|url=https://www.china-arms.com/2020/05/qbu191-precision-rifle-revealed/ |title=QBU-191 5.8mm precision rifle of China revealed |website=China-Arms |date=20 May 2020}} The rifle is also equipped with backup iron sights that can be folded down when not in use. 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. 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. The weapon features a short-stroke piston gas-operation design with rotating bolt.

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. 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 and bipod can be attached. The weapon platform can also be mounted with bayonets, suppressors, and under-barrel grenade launchers.

According to Chinese media, 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/09/30/first-photo-of-the-chinese-pla-new-standard-rifle-and-what-we-know-so-far/ |title=First Photos of Chinese PLA New Standard Rifle and What We Know So Far |website=The Firearm Blog |date=30 September 2019 |first=Anthony |last=J}}{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/what-we%E2%80%99ve-learned-about-china%E2%80%99s-new-qbz-191-assault-rifle-176087 |title=What We've Learned About China's New QBZ-191 Assault Rifle |website=National Interest|first=Sebastien |last=Roblin |date=8 January 2021}} The rifle has been designed into three variants: a standard rifle version with a {{cvt|14.5|in|1|order=flip}} barrel, a carbine version with a {{cvt|10.5|in|1|order=flip}} barrel called QBZ-192, and a long-barreled DMR version called the QBU-191.{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/chinese-pla-troops-tibet-are-getting-new-qbu-191-sniper-rifles-174877|title=Chinese PLA Troops in Tibet are Getting New QBU-191 Sniper Rifles |website=National Interest|first=Peter |last=Suciu |date=22 December 2020}} The standard QBZ-191 has a full-auto rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} The full-auto capability is retained on the QBU-191 designated marksman rifle, which could be easily configured into a light support weapon with a drum magazine.

Along with the weapon, new accessories were also developed as part of the program, including laser sights, flashlight mounts, optics, foregrips, and magazines. Unlike its predecessor—the QBZ-95—the QBZ-191 uses the Picatinny rail integration system, thus making the use of the former's modified dovetail rail-mounted sights incompatible without an additional mount. The weapon is able to feed from the 30-round QBZ-95 and QBZ-95-1 magazines, which was commonly present on prototypes, and from the 75-round magazines of the QJB-95 (QBB-95) and QJB-95-1 light support weapons. A more transparent design and a diamond pattern has been reported, similar to the magazines of the Heckler & Koch G36, commonly used on QBU-191 rifles.

A foregrip developed for the QBZ-191, which includes a bipod design on the bottom surface and an integrated laser. An undisclosed under-barrel grenade launcher has been used by the People's Liberation Army.{{cite web |title= 70周年！纪念一江山岛登陆作战胜利|url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/a_K-dMbe6VhQqhkQIpcdTA|website=Weixin|publisher=Central Theater Command Horn|language=zh|date=2025-01-17}}

Assault rifle with a {{convert|14.5|in|abbr=on|1}} barrel.https://sadefensejournal.com/seeing-red-a-photographic-exploration-of-recent-infantry-weapons-of-chinas-pla/

Carbine variant with a {{convert|10.5|in|abbr=on|1}} barrel.

Designated marksman rifle with an {{cvt|800|m|yd}} effective range.

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.

Selective fire with full-auto mode is retained on the marksman rifle, improving its fire suppression capability.

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

A variant of the QBZ-191 chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsgd.com/node_d36b0ef83f/92c220ce8e.shtml|title=Next-gen guns at Airshow China: QBZ-191|date=2024-11-13|website=Guangdong News}}

A variant of the QBZ-192 chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.

A variant of the QBZ-191 chambered in 7.62×39mm.

A variant of the QBZ-192 chambered in 7.62×39mm.

A variant of the QBU-191 chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO.{{cite web |title=珠海航展轻武器开箱 惊现7.62NATO的QBU-191|url=https://weibo.com/tv/show/1034:5098839724720186|website=Weibo|last=Yang|first=Heng|language=zh|format=video|date=2024-09-11}}

• {{flag|China}}: Being adopted by the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/10/19/china-qbz-191-assault-rifle/|title=China Introduces Next-Gen QBZ-191 Assault Rifle|first=Joe|last=Saballa|date=19 October 2021|website=The Defense Post}}
• {{flag|Hong Kong}}: Reported to be seen with HKPF PTU officers during a parade in 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/743695110_120433101|title=香港警察护旗方队手持191步枪？网友：要换装国产武器了？|website=Sohu|publisher=军武速递|location=Beijing|date=2023-12-13|language=zh}}
• {{flag|Thailand}}: Acquired the QBZ-195T for Thai special forces units from August 2024.https://thedefensepost.com/2024/08/07/thailand-customer-china-rifles/

{{commons category|QBZ-191}}

{{reflist}}

{{Norinco|state=expanded}}

{{Modern Chinese Infantry Weapons}}

Category:5.8 mm firearms

Category:5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles

Category:Assault rifles of the People's Republic of China

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2019

Category:Short stroke piston firearms

Category:Carbines

Category:Light machine guns

Category:Norinco