QBZ-191
China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2019
Also known as: Type 191, QBZ-191 Automatic Rifle
Overview
The QBZ-191 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.8x42mm DBP-191, produced by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) since 2019.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3100 g (109.3 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3700 g (130.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 946 mm (37.24") |
| Barrel Length | 368 mm (14.49") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 930 m/s (3051 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1795 J (1324 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.8x42mm DBP-191 · primary — also known as 5.8x42mm Chinese, 5.8mm DBP-191, 5.8x42mm PLA
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Firing Pin Block
- Features: Adjustable Stock, Select Fire, Free Floating Barrel, Picatinny Rail, Rotating Bolt, Short Stroke Gas Piston, Ambidextrous Controls, Modular Design, Bayonet Lug, Grenade Launcher Compatible
Variants
- QBZ-192 — Carbine
- QBU-191 — Designated Marksman
- QBU-191 7.62mm — Caliber Conversion
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army Ground Force · adopted 2019
- People's Armed Police · adopted 2019
- People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps · adopted 2019
- People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces · adopted 2019
Production
Production years: 2019-present
Mass production ongoing to equip the entire PLA; exact numbers classified. Rapidly replacing QBZ-95 across all service branches.
Origin
Country of origin: China
Designer: NORINCO 208 Research Institute
Notes
Official specifications for the QBZ-191 remain limited due to Chinese military secrecy. The rifle was first publicly revealed during the 2019 National Day military parade in Beijing. The development of the QBZ-191 is closely linked to the new DBP-191 ammunition, which features improved ballistic performance over the earlier DBP-87 and DBP-10 rounds. The weapon features a 4-position adjustable telescoping buttstock, full-length Picatinny rail on the receiver top, and M-LOK-style accessory mounting on the handguard. A 75-round drum magazine is available for sustained fire roles. The QBZ-191 designation follows the Chinese military naming convention where Q stands for light weapon, B for standard, and Z for automatic.
Background
The QBZ-191 represents China's acknowledgment that the bullpup QBZ-95, while innovative for its era, was ultimately less practical than conventional rifle layouts for modern combat operations. The return to a conventional configuration was driven by feedback from PLA troops who found the QBZ-95's bullpup design awkward for magazine changes, room clearing, and mounting modern optics and accessories. The QBZ-191 was first seen publicly at the 2019 National Day parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, carried by elite units in a symbolic display of military modernization.