QBZ-03
Chinese assault rifle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The QBZ-03 (Mandarin: Qīngwǔqi Bùqiāng Zìdòng—"light rifle automatic") assault rifle, also known as the Type 03,[1] is a Chinese gas operated, selective-fire assault rifle designed and developed for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 round.[2]
| QBZ-03 assault rifle (Qīngwǔqi Bùqiāng Zìdòng) | |
|---|---|
 QBZ03 automatic rifle | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2003–present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Norinco |
| Produced | 2003–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) (unloaded) |
| Length | 950 mm (37 in) with stock extended, 725 mm (28.5 in) with stock folded |
| Barrel length | 440 mm (17 in) |
| Cartridge | 5.8×42mm DBP87 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Action | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700–750 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 930 m/s (3,050 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 500 m (550 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Fixed Type 56 style front sight, flip-up diopter rear sight |
Unlike the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-03 has a conventional design. It is designed to be easily used by police officers and soldiers already familiar with previously issued assault rifles.[3]
History
The QBZ-03's design was finalized in December 2003 and it was given the name designation Type 03.[4] It appears to be a continuation of the Type 87.[4] Public information regarding the rifle was first reported in the November 2004 issue of "Weapon Knowledge".[5]
Plans to develop the QBZ-03 were made over concerns made from reports with the use of the QBZ-95.[5]
Design details
The QBZ-03 has a faster rate of fire compared to the QBZ-95. Operating system is similar to Type 81 assault rifle featuring rotating bolt locking and short-stroke gas piston.[6] The QBZ-03 has a folding stock.[7]
In 2015, the manufacturer displayed a version with a quad-rail hand guard; the short rear section screws onto the upper receiver.[8]
The gas block has two position regulator and a hooded front sight with a flip-up rear diopter sight.[2]
Variants
T03
The T03 is an export variant chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge.[2]
EM3513
The EM3513 is semi-automatic export variant, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge.[9] First introduced in 2005 by the China Jing-She. An Import-Export and Jiang-She Group companies, the variant is fed by STANAG magazines and has an integrated three-round burst mode.[2]
QTS-11 OICW Upgrade
In February 2011, photos appeared of the QTS-11, a combination of the Type 03 assault rifle with a 20 mm airburst grenade launcher.[2] This made China the third country to develop an airburst infantry weapon, after the United States and South Korea.[10]
