QBZ-03

The QBZ-03 (Mandarin: Qīngwuqi Bùqiāng Zìdòng — "light rifle automatic") assault rifle, also known as the Type 03, is a Chinese gas operated, selective-fire assault rifle designed and developed for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 round.

QBZ-03 assault rifle
(Qīngwuqi Bùqiāng Zìdòng)
QBZ03 automatic rifle
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2003–present
Production history
ManufacturerNorinco
Produced2003–present
Specifications
Mass3.5 kg (7.7 lb) (unloaded)
Length950 mm (37 in) with stock extended, 725 mm (28.5 in) with stock folded
Cartridge5.8×42mm DBP87
5.56×45mm NATO
ActionGas operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire700–750 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity930 m/s (3,050 ft/s)
Effective firing range500m
Feed system30-round detachable box magazine
SightsFixed Type 56 style front sight, flip-up diopter rear sight

Unlike the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-03 is a weapon of conventional design. The weapon is designed to be easily used by soldiers already familiar with previously issued rifles and machine guns.

Design

The QBZ-03 has a two-piece receiver largely made up of forged aluminum alloy with the stock, pistol grip, and handguards being made of a polymer compound. The gas block has a two position regulator, one for firing standard ammunition, the other to allow the use of rifle grenades. The sights are of a hooded front sight with a flip up rear diopter sight similar to the American M16 rifle. A scope rail is available to allow the use of various optics. The QBZ-03 has seen some issue within the People's Armed Police, People's Liberation Army Marine Corps, People's Liberation Army Air Force Paratroopers, and second line PLA ground units.

The weapon has a faster rate of fire compare to QBZ-95. Operating system is similar to Type 81 assault rifle featuring rotating bolt locking and short-stroke gas piston.[1]

An export variant of the QBZ-03 also exists, first introduced in 2005 by the joint CJAIE (China Jing-An Import-Export) and Jiang-She Group Companies. The export version is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO and feeds by STANAG magazines. The cyclic rate on the issued model is semi-automatic or fully automatic only, while the export model has an integrated three round burst mode. The type's most notable public display was by the PLA Airforce Airborne Troops during the October 1st 2009 60th Anniversary Parade. The assault rifle was also featured in the 2015 Victory Day Parade.

Upgrades

Picatinny rail

A new tactical variant of the weapon was spotted at an counter-terrorism exhibition; the tactical variant is equipped with quad-rail hand guard and used by police and border guards.[2]

QTS-11 OICW
Main article: QTS-11

In February 2011, photos began to appear of a Chinese weapon called the QTS-11.[3][4][5] The QTS-11 combines the Type 03 assault rifle with a 20 mm airburst grenade launcher. This makes China the third country to develop an airburst infantry weapon, after the American XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon and XM25 CDTE, and the South Korean K11 DAW.

Variants
  • QBZ-03: Base model.
  • QBZ-03 Upgrade: Upgraded tactical variant, first unveiled at a 2014 anti-terrorism exhibition, with upgrades including a quad-rail handguard.[6]
  • QBZ-03 Carbine: Compact variant shortened to 750 mm.[7]
  • T03: Export variant chambering 5.56 mm.[8]
    • T03A: Improved variant.
  • EM3513: Semi-automatic export variant, chambering 5.56 mm.[9]
    • EM3513A: Improved variant, with rails and new stock.

Users

Non-state actors

See also

References
  1. "Picture". modernfirearms.net. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  2. "Chinese Small Arms from the 7th Beijing Police Equipment Expo". Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  3. "Chinese missile complex QTS-11 (ZH-05)". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  4. "ZH-05 - Modern Firearms". 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  5. Tarantola, Andrew. "China's Laser-Guided Grenade Launchers Are Deadly from Half a Mile". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  6. "Chinese Small Arms from the 7th Beijing Police Equipment Expo - The Firearm Blog". 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  7. FFCZ, Supmil.com. "03步枪卡宾款-轻兵警务-超级大本营军事论坛-最具影响力军事论坛 -". lt.cjdby.net. Archived from the original on 19 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 25 June 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35th edition (27 January 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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