Military variants
QBZ-95
This is the Chinese standard-issue version of the rifle, chambered for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 round.[26]
Due to issues associated with the original design, the PLA began a program to improve the Type 95.
Lead designer Duo Yingxian (朵英贤), now retired, stated that the project was currently in progress by some of his students.[2]
The goals for the Type 95 upgrade program include the following:[27]
The upgrade program resulted in the improved QBZ-95-1 variant.
- To improve the rifle's ergonomics and fire controls
- To chamber the rifle for a new type of ammunition with double the effective range
- To add a quick-firing, domestically produced grenade launcher
QBZ-95B
The QBZ-95B is a shorter and lighter carbine version of the standard rifle. The QBZ-95B is seen issued to members of the Chinese navy, as its compact size is better suited for the confined spaces aboard ships.[28] Its shorter barrel prevents a grenade launcher or bayonet from being attached, and it has an AKS-74U style muzzle booster.
The carbine may also be in use with special forces.[10] It lacks a forend and instead has a foregrip, with the front iron sight built into the carrying handle.[13]
QJB-95 LSW
The QJB-95 is the squad automatic weapon variant of the QBZ-95. The designation "QJB" stands for "Qingwuqi, Jiqiang, Banyong", which means 'light weapon/small arm, machine gun, squad-use'.[29] It was previously designated as the QBB-95.[30] It has an added bipod, a longer, heavier barrel and a 75 or 80-round drum magazine to allow sustained fire, however, the standard 30-round box magazine is also compatible.
Although the QJB-95 and QBZ-95 both take the standard 5.8×42mm DBP87 round, the QJB-95 typically uses the 5.8x42mm DBP88 "heavy round" squad automatic weapon and designated marksman rifle cartridges, which have longer, deeper armor penetration and greater ballistics' capabilities at long range. As using the heavy rounds in a QBZ-95 would greatly wear the barrel in action, normal cartridges are used in QBZ-95 rifles.
However, with the fielding of the QBZ-95-1 variant, newer and heavier DBP10 cartridges are planned to become the standard ammunition for both weapons.
QBZ-97
The QBZ-97 is an export variant similar to the QBZ-95 in all respects, except that it is chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition and has a deep magazine well designed to accept a proprietary magazine.
AR-15 pattern magazines can technically be loaded, but, depending on the model, this can cause FTF malfunctions and can get stuck.[31][11]
The QBZ-97 is used by various countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and East Africa. It is also currently used by Ginghis Security Academy, a Chinese private security group, supplementing their QBZ-95s.[32]
There have been hints of the QBZ-97 variants being involved in some foreign conflicts.[33] Little has been reported about its overall combat effectiveness. It has been shown in televised tests that the weapon can continue to function after being immersed in water,[34]
QBZ-97A
This variant is a QBZ-97 with the addition of a three-round burst mode and a bolt hold-open device;[36] it also differs from the QBZ-95 and the QBZ-97 by the shape of its grip, now missing the "front grip" part in front of the trigger guard.
QBZ-97B
This is the carbine variant of the QBZ-97. The official distributor of the QBZ-97B assault carbine on the international market, Jianshe Industries (Group) Corporation, advertises and sells it under the denomination "5.56mm short automatic rifle Type NQZ03B (97)".[37]
QJB-97 LSW
The light support weapon model of the QBZ-97 is chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammo.
QBZ-95-1
The QBZ-95-1, also called the QBZ-95 "Gai" ("改"; literally: 'modified'), addresses several reliability and ease-of-use issues, and has improved ergonomics.[38][2] The QBZ-95 variant titled "1" fires the heavier 5.8×42mm DBP10 round,[39] and has a heavier, longer barrel and a redesigned muzzle brake to use it.
The "1" variant has an altered butt stock, trigger guard, and a repositioned thumb fire selector switch above the pistol grip. The carry handle has retained the Chinese quick release mount rail. In addition, cartridge casings eject to the front (1 o'clock position from the barrel) of the weapon, allowing left-handed firing.
The bolt release button located behind the magazine latch.[40] It was observed undergoing testing and evaluation in early 2010.
It was later introduced into service, replacing the original QBZ-95 assault rifle. The original QBZ-95 rifles are being handed down to second line and reserve troops, while front line troops receive the QBZ-95-1.[41]
QBZ-95B-1
Improved version of the QBZ-95B with barrel and ergonomic enhancements of the QBZ-95-1 in the carbine platform.[10][44]
QJB-95-1 LSW
An improved version of the QJB-95 LSW with the ergonomic enhancements of the QBZ-95-1 in a squad machine gun platform.[10][44]
QBZ-95
This is the Chinese standard-issue version of the rifle, chambered for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 round.[26]
Due to issues associated with the original design, the PLA began a program to improve the Type 95.
Lead designer Duo Yingxian (朵英贤), now retired, stated that the project was currently in progress by some of his students.[2]
The goals for the Type 95 upgrade program include the following:[27]
The upgrade program resulted in the improved QBZ-95-1 variant.
- To improve the rifle's ergonomics and fire controls
- To chamber the rifle for a new type of ammunition with double the effective range
- To add a quick-firing, domestically produced grenade launcher
QBZ-95B
The QBZ-95B is a shorter and lighter carbine version of the standard rifle. The QBZ-95B is seen issued to members of the Chinese navy, as its compact size is better suited for the confined spaces aboard ships.[28] Its shorter barrel prevents a grenade launcher or bayonet from being attached, and it has an AKS-74U style muzzle booster.
The carbine may also be in use with special forces.[10] It lacks a forend and instead has a foregrip, with the front iron sight built into the carrying handle.[13]
QJB-95 LSW
The QJB-95 is the squad automatic weapon variant of the QBZ-95. The designation "QJB" stands for "Qingwuqi, Jiqiang, Banyong", which means 'light weapon/small arm, machine gun, squad-use'.[29] It was previously designated as the QBB-95.[30] It has an added bipod, a longer, heavier barrel and a 75 or 80-round drum magazine to allow sustained fire, however, the standard 30-round box magazine is also compatible.
Although the QJB-95 and QBZ-95 both take the standard 5.8×42mm DBP87 round, the QJB-95 typically uses the 5.8x42mm DBP88 "heavy round" squad automatic weapon and designated marksman rifle cartridges, which have longer, deeper armor penetration and greater ballistics' capabilities at long range. As using the heavy rounds in a QBZ-95 would greatly wear the barrel in action, normal cartridges are used in QBZ-95 rifles.
However, with the fielding of the QBZ-95-1 variant, newer and heavier DBP10 cartridges are planned to become the standard ammunition for both weapons.
QBZ-97
The QBZ-97 is an export variant similar to the QBZ-95 in all respects, except that it is chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition and has a deep magazine well designed to accept a proprietary magazine.
AR-15 pattern magazines can technically be loaded, but, depending on the model, this can cause FTF malfunctions and can get stuck.[31][11]
The QBZ-97 is used by various countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and East Africa. It is also currently used by Ginghis Security Academy, a Chinese private security group, supplementing their QBZ-95s.[32]
There have been hints of the QBZ-97 variants being involved in some foreign conflicts.[33] Little has been reported about its overall combat effectiveness. It has been shown in televised tests that the weapon can continue to function after being immersed in water,[34]
QBZ-97A
This variant is a QBZ-97 with the addition of a three-round burst mode and a bolt hold-open device;[36] it also differs from the QBZ-95 and the QBZ-97 by the shape of its grip, now missing the "front grip" part in front of the trigger guard.
QBZ-97B
This is the carbine variant of the QBZ-97. The official distributor of the QBZ-97B assault carbine on the international market, Jianshe Industries (Group) Corporation, advertises and sells it under the denomination "5.56mm short automatic rifle Type NQZ03B (97)".[37]
QJB-97 LSW
The light support weapon model of the QBZ-97 is chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammo.
QBZ-95-1
The QBZ-95-1, also called the QBZ-95 "Gai" ("改"; literally: 'modified'), addresses several reliability and ease-of-use issues, and has improved ergonomics.[38][2] The QBZ-95 variant titled "1" fires the heavier 5.8×42mm DBP10 round,[39] and has a heavier, longer barrel and a redesigned muzzle brake to use it.
The "1" variant has an altered butt stock, trigger guard, and a repositioned thumb fire selector switch above the pistol grip. The carry handle has retained the Chinese quick release mount rail. In addition, cartridge casings eject to the front (1 o'clock position from the barrel) of the weapon, allowing left-handed firing.
The bolt release button located behind the magazine latch.[40] It was observed undergoing testing and evaluation in early 2010.
It was later introduced into service, replacing the original QBZ-95 assault rifle. The original QBZ-95 rifles are being handed down to second line and reserve troops, while front line troops receive the QBZ-95-1.[41]
QBZ-95B-1
Improved version of the QBZ-95B with barrel and ergonomic enhancements of the QBZ-95-1 in the carbine platform.[10][44]
QJB-95-1 LSW
An improved version of the QJB-95 LSW with the ergonomic enhancements of the QBZ-95-1 in a squad machine gun platform.[10][44]
Civilian variants
Two sporterized, semi-automatic-only rifles based upon the QBZ-97A assault rifle and the QBZ-97B assault carbine have been developed for the civilian market, the Type 97 rifle and the Type 97A carbine. They are chambered for the .223 Remington and 5.56mm cartridge and are fed by STANAG magazines.[45][46]
Type 97A carbines became available in Canada in 2008, were classified as "non-restricted" by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and sold to the general public. In January 2009, a shipment of Type 97 firearms was approved by the RCMP for retail sale, but was later confiscated and seized by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers.[47] Around the same time, a second shipment of Type 97A restricted firearms was also stopped by the CBSA. On March 22, 2010, about 35 civilian owners of Type 97A carbines originally imported by Lever Arms of BC (the only version ever available for sale) were sent notice by the RCMP indicating that the status of their firearm had been changed to "12.2 prohibited (fully automatic)", and owners without such a firearm license had 30 days to turn in their Type 97A firearms to either individuals or businesses that had such a license, or to police for destruction.[48]
NQZ03A
Export variant, chambered in 5.56 NATO.[52]
NQZ03B
Shortened variant, chambered in 5.56 NATO.[53][54]
Flat-top
Enhanced variants with a Picatinny rail replacing the top carrying handle (so called "flat-top") have been built in both Canada and China.
Two export variants, dubbed the "EM3516"[56] and "T97NSR-A",[57] have been unveiled.
K12 PUMA
12-gauge shotgun with a similar mechanism of action and outer resemblance, features a gas switch for heavy and light loads.[58]
