Type 03 / QBZ-03
Summary
| Country | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Assault rifle |
| Manufacturer | China North Industries Corporation |
Technical specifications
| Type 03 / QBZ-03 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 700 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm NATO or 5.8 x 42 mm DBP87 |
| Magazine | 30 rounds |
| Length | 960 mm (37.8 in) |
| Weight | 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) |
| Range | 400 m (1312 ft) |
Description
The QBZ-03's design was finalized in December 2003, receiving the designation Type 03. It appears to be a continuation of the Type 87. Public information regarding the rifle was first reported in the November 2004 issue of "Weapon Knowledge". The QBZ-03 was developed in response to concerns about the QBZ-95.
The QBZ-03 assault rifle, also known as the Type 03, is a Chinese gas operated, selective-fire rifle designed for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 round. Unlike the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-03 has a conventional design, intended to be easily used by police officers and soldiers already familiar with previously issued assault rifles. The QBZ-03 has a faster rate of fire compared to QBZ-95, and its operating system is similar to the Type 81 assault rifle, featuring rotating bolt locking and a short-stroke gas piston. The QBZ-03 has a folding stock. In 2015, the manufacturer displayed a version with a quad-rail hand guard; the short rear section screws onto the upper receiver.
Variants include:
-
QBZ-03 base model
-
EM3513, a semi-automatic export variant chambering 5.56 mm.
Users include China (People's Liberation Army Ground Force border defense units, People's Armed Police), and the United Wa State Army.