QBZ-191

China's new-generation standard rifle — a conventionally laid out, short-stroke piston design with a modular rail system, firing a proprietary 5.8×42mm round, and the instrument of the PLA's shift away from the bullpup.

Overview

The QBZ-191, commonly referred to as the Type 191, is the new standard-issue assault rifle of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police. Chambered in the indigenous 5.8×42mm DBP-191 cartridge, it replaces the bullpup QBZ-95 family from 2019 onwards. The rifle introduces a conventional, ergonomic layout with an aluminium-alloy receiver, polymer furniture, and a full-length Picatinny/M-LOK rail interface, bringing Chinese infantry small arms closer in handling and modularity to contemporary Western designs. The family encompasses the standard rifle, a compact carbine (QBZ-192), and a designated marksman rifle (QBU-191). An export variant is marketed as the CS/LR41.

Development

The QBZ-191 was first publicly revealed at the 1 October 2019 military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic, according to South China Morning Post. The weapon system is produced by Chongqing Jianshe, with an export marketing role attributed to NORINCO. The rifle entered PLA service in 2019 and began progressive fielding in the same year, marking a deliberate departure from the two-decade-old bullpup QBZ-95. No earlier development history is publicly documented; open sources characterise the programme as a rapid iteration aimed at closing the modular-rifle gap with the M4, SCAR, and HK416 families.

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