QBZ-03

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 on 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]

Variants

EM3513

The EM3513 is semi-automatic export variant, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge.^[9]

Users

•  China
  • People's Liberation Army
    • People's Liberation Army Ground Force border defense units^[10]
    • People's Liberation Army Rocket Force^[11]
  • People's Armed Police^[1][12]

Non-State

• United Wa State Army^[13]

See also

• QTS-11 - An assault rifle with an integrated 20 mm airburst grenade launcher based on the QBZ-03.