Norinco QBZ-95

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	Weapon: Norinco QBZ-95 Type: Assault Rifle Country of Origin: China Year Adopted: 1997 Caliber: 5.8x42mm Action: Select Fire Overall Length (mm): 745.0 Weight (kg): 3.00 Effective Range (m): 400

The Norinco QBZ-95, also known as the Type 95, is a Chinese bullpup assault rifle designed in the early 1990s by Norinco and introduced into service in 1997. The rifle employs a 5.8x42mm DBP87 cartridge, a proprietary intermediate round developed for the Chinese military to provide improved range and lethality compared to older calibers. The QBZ-95 features a polymer construction, an integrated carry handle, and a compact bullpup layout, which positions the magazine and action behind the trigger to reduce overall length while retaining a full-length barrel.

Production of the QBZ-95 began in the mid-1990s and has continued in various forms, with the QBZ-95-1 being an improved variant introduced in the late 2000s. The rifle has been produced in substantial numbers, with estimates suggesting several hundred thousand units manufactured to equip the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Chinese paramilitary units, and police forces. It has been deployed in numerous configurations, including the standard rifle, a carbine variant, and a light support weapon with a heavier barrel and bipod.

The QBZ-95 gained notoriety for being the first Chinese assault rifle to move away from Soviet-influenced designs, representing a significant step in China's indigenous firearms development. It has been used in various international peacekeeping missions and regional conflicts involving Chinese forces or their allies. Despite some criticism regarding its ergonomics and the performance of the 5.8x42mm cartridge, the QBZ-95 remains a symbol of modern Chinese small arms design and continues to serve as a mainstay of the PLA's infantry forces.