QBZ-192
China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) · Carbine · In Production · 2019
Also known as: Type 192, QBZ-192 Carbine, QBZ-191 Carbine
Overview
The QBZ-192 is the carbine variant of the QBZ-191 select-fire rifle family, chambered in 5.8x42mm DBP-191 and produced by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO). Sharing the same gas-operated short-stroke piston action and modular receiver as the standard QBZ-191, the carbine trades barrel length for compactness, fitting a 266mm (10.5-inch) barrel and a collapsible telescoping stock that brings overall length down to around 710mm when retracted. This makes the QBZ-192 well suited to special operations, vehicle crews, airborne troops, and close-quarters combat where maneuverability matters more than long-range performance. It retains the 30-round detachable box magazine, the full-length top Picatinny rail for optics, and select-fire capability, while accepting the same 75-round drum magazine offered across the family for sustained fire.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4000 g (141.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 950 mm (37.40") |
| Folded Length | 710 mm (27.95") |
| Barrel Length | 266 mm (10.47") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 790 m/s (2592 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1295 J (955 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 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, Picatinny Rail, Rotating Bolt, Short Stroke Gas Piston, Ambidextrous Controls, Modular Design, Short Barrel, Grenade Launcher Compatible
Base model
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army Ground Force · adopted 2019
- People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces · adopted 2019
- People's Armed Police · adopted 2019
Production
Production years: 2019-present
Produced as the carbine member of the QBZ-191 family for PLA special operations, airborne, and vehicle-crew use; exact numbers classified.
Origin
Country of origin: China
Designer: NORINCO 208 Research Institute
Notes
The QBZ-192 is the short-barreled carbine member of the QBZ-191 family, distinguished by its roughly 266mm barrel versus the 368mm barrel of the standard QBZ-191 rifle and the 550mm barrel of the QBU-191 marksman variant. Official figures remain limited due to Chinese military secrecy; muzzle velocity and energy are estimated from the shorter barrel relative to the full-length QBZ-191. The carbine was revealed alongside the rest of the family around the 2019 National Day parade and entered wider service from 2021.
Background
The QBZ-192 carbine reflects the PLA's move away from the bullpup QBZ-95 toward a conventional, modular weapon family in which a single platform spans carbine, rifle, and marksman roles by simply swapping barrel and furniture. The short-barreled carbine is most often seen in the hands of special operations and airborne units, where its retracted length and light weight suit fast-roping, vehicle dismounts, and room clearing.