QSZ-92

The QSZ-92, sometimes known as the Type 92 (Chinese: 92式手枪; pinyin: Jiǔ Èr Shì Shoǔqiāng; lit. 'Type 92 Handgun'),^[2] is a semi-automatic pistol designed by Norinco.

QSZ-92
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	China
Service history
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Liu Ming (刘铭) of the Small Arms Research Institute (formerly the 208 Research Institute); also attributed to Qing Shangsheng (卿上升)
Designed	early 1990s[1]
Manufacturer	Chongqing Changfeng Machine Manufacturing Ltd[2]
Produced	1998–present[3]
Variants	QSZ92-9, QSZ92-5.8
Specifications
Mass	760 g (1.68 lb)
Length	190 mm (7.48 in)
Barrel length	111 mm (4.33 in)
Width	35 mm (1.4 in)
Height	135 mm (5.3 in)
Cartridge	5.8×21mm DAP92 9×19mm Parabellum
Action	Short recoil, locked breech, rotating barrel lock
Muzzle velocity	350 m/s (1,150 ft/s) (9×19mm Parabellum)
Effective firing range	50 m (160 ft) (9×19mm Parabellum)
Feed system	Detachable box magazine; capacities: 15 rounds (9×19mm) 20 rounds (5.8×21mm)
Sights	Fixed, 3-dot type

History

The decision to develop a new pistol was made in 1987 to replace the Type 54/64/77.^[4] Research and development started in 1992.^[4]

Development of the QSZ-92 pistol began in 1994 and was adopted by the People's Liberation Army's forces in 1998. The export variants (9×19mm versions) include the CF-98 (barrel life c. 8,000 rds) and the NP-42 (barrel life c. 10,000 rds). The latter is the basic version without provisions for suppressor etc. Both have so far found commercial export in Canada. The CF-98 has also been sighted in parts of Africa.^[5]

In June 2022, it's reported that Iraq has made the pistol as the Babylon through the Defence Industries Commission.^[6][7] They are sold to Iraqi lawyers who need personal protection.^[8] Former prime minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi was gifted the first Babylon made.^[9] It was reported that Norinco provided assistance in manufacturing the Babylon.^[10]

On 11 July 2024, it was confirmed that the Hong Kong Police Force would adopt the CF98A and CS/LP5 respectively to replace the S&W M10HB revolvers for uniformed officers and SIG P250 Dcc pistols for detectives^[11] as necessary parts for maintenance are running out.^[12]

Design

The pistol operates with a recoil-operated, locked-breech and has a rotating barrel locking system, in which the barrel rotates on recoil to lock and unlock itself from the slide, and the front part of the frame under the barrel is shaped as an accessory rail to accept laser sights or flash lights. A unique feature of this pistol is the detachable steel frame that sits inside the polymer grip and contains the fire control group. Like many modern military pistols, the QSZ-92 has a double-action/single-action trigger with a combined safety/decocker.^[13]

Its dual stack magazine holds either fifteen rounds of 9×19mm Parabellum ammunition (QSZ-92-9) or twenty proprietary 5.8×21mm Chinese-made armor-piercing rounds^[1] with bottle-necked case and pointed bullets (QSZ-92-5.8), closely resembling the 5.7×28mm Belgian format. Unlike most pistol magazines which narrow at the top for a consistent single-feed angle, the QSZ-92 has true double column staggered-feed in the same manner as many rifle magazines.^[13]

The star engraving on the pistol grip indicates the ammo type. The 9×19mm Parabellum version has the star, while military the 5.8×21mm version does not. Export variants, which are chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum, have the star engraving.^[14]

Accessory

QSZ-92 is fitted with QUS-181 suppressor. The suppressor is mounted on the rail instead of the muzzle due to the rotating barrel design.^[15]

Variants

• QSZ-92: Basic variant, which chambers the bottlenecked 5.8×21mm DAP92 ammunition or 9×19mm Parabellum. Its R50^{[clarification needed]} value is smaller than 5 cm (2.0 in), R100 value smaller than 11 cm (4.3 in). Its failure rate is lower than 2 out of 1000 and its lifespan is 3000 rounds.
  • QSZ-92-5.8: Military version for the PLA.^[1]
  • QSZ-92-9: Police version.^[1]
• QSZ-92G: Redesigned variant with improved reliability, ergonomics and under-rail for attachments. Barrel lifespan is increased to 10,000 rounds.
  • QSZ-92G-5.8: Military version.
  • QSZ-92G-9: Police version.
• CF98: Export variant chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum with a lifespan of 8000 rounds.^[16]
  • CF98A: Export variant chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum replacing the CF98.^[17]
• NP42: Redesigned export variant chambering 9×19mm Parabellum with a lifespan of 10000 rounds, staggered-feed capacity of 15/10 rounds, and a decreased failure rate of 1 out of 1000. Its accuracy has been improved, with a R50 value of smaller than 4 cm (1.6 in) and R100 value of less than 9 cm (3.5 in).
• CS/LP5: Compact pistol chambered in 9×19mm with 7-round magazines and a service life of 8,000 rounds.^[18]
• QSZ-92A: Improved model showcased in 2021. Standard variant of the new QSZ-92 platform.^[15]
• QSZ-92B: Improved model showcased in 2021. Compact variant of the new QSZ-92 platform.^[15]
• BOF Type 92: Bangladeshi pistol made based on the QSZ-92/CF-98.
• Babylon: Iraqi pistol made based on the QSZ-92/CF-98.^[6]

• 
  QSZ92-5.8mm Pistols
• 
  CF98-9mm Pistols

Users

A map with QSZ-92 operators in blue.

• Bangladesh^[19]
• Cambodia^[19]
• China: People's Liberation Army,^[20] People's Armed Police, People's Police^[21][12]
  • Hong Kong: Hong Kong Police Force, replacing their Model 10 revolvers.^[12]
• Guinea^{[22][better source needed]}
• Iraq^[7]
• South Sudan: 660 NP-42 received in 2014^[23]