QBZ-191

A conventional-layout assault rifle that replaced the bullpup QBZ-95 as the People's Liberation Army's standard infantry weapon, adopting a more ergonomic AR-style configuration with modular rail attachments. It retains the 5.8x42mm indigenous cartridge and was first publicly revealed at China's 2019 military parade.

In service since 2019 · 1 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

400

m range

650

rpm

930

m/s

rds

Several performance figures for China-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Chinese state channel

State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.

Channel: State export agency

Fielded & proven

Limited · 1 operator

In service since 2019. Status: active.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Effective range Distance at which the weapon reliably hits point targets. Higher extends engagement envelope.: 400 m

Stronger than 26% of rifles
Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability.: 650 rpm

Stronger than 31% of rifles
Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration.: 930 m/s

Stronger than 86% of rifles

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 5.8×42 mm
Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better — ammunition commonality matters.: 5.8 mm
Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity.: 30

Stronger than 58% of rifles

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 0.9 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.: 3 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 1
Barrel length Barrel length — longer improves muzzle velocity and accuracy, shorter improves handling.: 366 mm

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 1

Bottom 6% of rifles

Specifications compiled from public NORINCO and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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