QBZ-95
China's standard-issue bullpup assault rifle for two decades — a gas-operated, short-stroke piston design in the proprietary 5.8×42 mm cartridge, now being replaced by the conventional-layout QBZ-191.
China's standard-issue bullpup assault rifle for two decades — chambered for the proprietary 5.8×42 mm round, now being handed down as the QBZ-191 takes over.
Overview
The QBZ-95 (Type 95 Automatic Rifle) is a bullpup assault rifle that served as the primary individual weapon of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from the late 1990s through the 2010s. Designed around China’s proprietary 5.8×42 mm intermediate cartridge, it offered a short overall length while retaining a full-length barrel, and was produced in the millions by NORINCO and state arsenals. The improved QBZ-95-1 variant addressed early ergonomic shortcomings, but the platform is now being phased down as the conventional-layout QBZ-191 enters service.
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- Development
- Design & capabilities
- Variants
- Combat record / operational use
- Advantages
- Drawbacks / limitations
- Counterparts
- Outlook
- Key specifications
- Sources
- Analyst Section
- Procurement & contracts
- Suppliers & related companies
- Comparable systems — analyst view
- Analyst note