Type Assault rifle
Place of origin India
Service history
In service 1998–present
Used by See Users
Wars Kargil War
Nepalese Civil War
Production history
Designer ARDE
Manufacturer Indian State Ordnance Factory Board, Ishapore
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight 4.25 kg (9.4 lb) empty
4.6 kg (10.1 lb) loaded
Length 960 mm (37.8 in),
750 mm (29.5 in) w/stock folded
Barrel length 464 mm (18.3 in)
Cartridge 5.56x45mm INSAS, 5.56x45mm NATO, 5.56x30mm MINSAS
Action Gas-operated, Rotating bolt
Rate of fire 650 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s)
Effective range 450 Meters
Feed system 20/30-round detachable box magazine
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin People's Republic of China
Service history
In service 1997[1]-Present
Used by See Users
Wars Sri Lankan Civil War
Cambodian–Thai border stand-off[2]
Production history
Manufacturer China North Industries Corporation
and China South
Produced 1995—present
Variants QBZ-95B Carbine,
QBZ-95 Rifle,
QBB-95 LSW,
QBZ-97 5.56 mm Rifle,
QBZ-97A 5.56 mm Rifle,
QBB-97 LSW 5.56 mm Rifle,
QBZ-97B 5.56 mm Carbine
Specifications
Weight 2.9 kg (6.4 lb) (QBZ-95B Carbine)
3.25 kg (7.2 lb) (QBZ-95 Rifle)
3.35 kg (7.4 lb) (QBZ-97 Export)
3.9 kg (8.6 lb) (QBB-95 LSW)
Length 609 mm (24.0 in) (QBZ-95B Carbine)
745 mm (29.3 in) (QBZ-95 Rifle)
758 mm (29.8 in) (QBZ-97 and QBZ-97A)
840 mm (33.1 in) (QBB-95 LSW)
Barrel length 369 mm (14.5 in) (QBZ-95B Carbine)
463 mm (18.2 in) (QBZ-95 Rifle)
490 mm (19.3 in) (QBZ-97 and QBZ-97A)
600 mm (23.6 in) (QBB-95 LSW)
Cartridge 5.8x42mm DBP87 (QBZ-95),
5.56x45mm NATO (QBZ-97)
Action Gas-Operated, Rotating bolt
Rate of fire ~650 rounds/min (QBZ-95)
~800 rounds/min (QBZ-95B Carbine)
Muzzle velocity QBZ-95 - 930 m/s (3,050 ft/s), QBB-95 - 970 m/s (3181 ft/s), QBZ-95B - 790 m/s (2581 ft/s)
Effective range Rifle - 400m point target, 600m area target
LSW - 600m point target, 800m area target
Carbine - 300m point target, 500m area target
Feed system 30-round box magazine
75-round drum
Sights hooded post front sight and aperture rear sight, optional 4x telescopic sight
Pro's of QBZ-95
Bullpup design,
5.8 mm ammo is said to be superior to 5.56 and 5.45. Up to debate but a larger bullet is always a good thing.
Rate of fire, and option full auto etc,
Weight,
larger 30 round mag
Color
Has a variant with a silencer
Small size
Cons,
poor iron sight, not marksman best friend here
Barrel length is shorter despite being a bullpup design, Interesting to note the QBZ-97(5.56 Nato variant) has a slightly longer barrel length.
placement of the safety receiver.
Complicated maintenance procedures (note from what I've gathered from people who own the rifle, While the design is modern its more complicated than the M-16?rifle experts may want to enlighten us on this.)
The 5.8 mm ammo is said to have little difference from the 5.56 ammo and not even close the stoping power of 7.62 Warsaw or Nato.
Not combat tested, no news is good news? not exactly, everything has problems, even AK-47's so why is there very little scrutiney on this rifle? CCP pride propaganda?
The PLA special forces that trained with Russians were seen using a "new" design the QBZ-03? One can wonder why?
Can not fire rifle grenades... issue in modern warfare? pending on army requirements?
LMG varient has a heavy drum located at the rear, awkward place in a bullpup design.
INSAS,
Pros,
Ironsight is pretty decent
Has a variety of scopes and other sights that can be placed
can fire rifled grenades has a sight for it as well
Longer barrel than the M-4 yet same over length
India 5.56 ammo is said to have 10% extra pressure than standard NATO rounds
reliable
Transparent mag
accurate, no issue here.
Works in Kargil, will work in all conditions.
Combat proven
Effective with a bayonet
Quick reload time?
Avalialbe UBGL with a button fire rather than trigger fire
Cons,
too many unnecessary parts
maintenance heavy compared to AK-47
heavy
poor manufacturing quality
20 round MAG
Known issues include cracking of polymer in cold conditions, said to be a maintenance issue.
From what I gather, the QBZ-95 is better for anyone that has never held a rifle. The Bullpup design forces the user to take aim properley when standing upright. The shorter lenght makes it ideal for Urban warfare but the PAP is also the ones recieving new QBZ 03 rifles? It is lighter which is a large advantage but judging from the ironssights and placement of optics its not a "marcksmenship" rifle. Corrent me if i'm wrong because I like the feel of lee enfielld.
The INSAS is a big heavy cheap rifle in comparison to the QBZ-97/ but seems to be more a soldiers rifle, tough like the FAL yet shorter and not a SLR. The stoppage is said to be less than the M-16 or M-4.
Both designs have their advantage. But I am doubtfull of the reliability of the QBZ-95. If reliability isn't concern its the versatility. The Chinese can not use rifle gernades with this rifle. Has a poor iron sight unless the Norinco want to sell optics to every soldier even the part-time concripts that will leave soon.
The advantage of the bullpup is ergonomics. You don't need to be genious to figure out how to properly hold the rifle, but mantiance is another concern if your not trained.