QJB-95 Light machine gun

[Zarvan]

The QJB-95 is the standard-issue squad automatic weapon of the Chinese army



Country of origin China
Entered service Mid 1990s
Caliber 5.8 x 42 mm
Weight (unloaded) 3.95 kg
Length 840 mm
Barrel length 600 mm
Muzzle velocity 970 m/s
Cyclic rate of fire ~ 650 rpm
Practical rate of fire 50 - 150 rpm
Magazine capacity 30, 75 rounds
Sighting range 600 ~ 800 m
Range of effective fire ~ 600 m


During the 1990s a new family of modern infantry weapons was developed for the Chinese army, which included the QBZ-95 assault rifleand QJB-95 squad automatic weapon. These weapons were designed form the clean sheet and were were not based on any previous Chinese designs and were actually not copied from Western or Russian designs. Most of their components were similar for easier servicing and maintenance. The QJB-95, also commonly known as the Type 95. Sometimes it is referred as the QBB-95. It is generally similar to the QBZ-95 assault rifle, but was fitted with a heavier barrel, bipod, and used 75-round capacity drum magazines. Both weapons used newly-developed Chinese 5.8x42 mm ammunition. The QJB-95 was adopted in the mid 1990s and replaced in service the older Type 81 squad automatic weapon, which was chambered for 7.62x39 mm ammunition. The QJB-95 was first observed during the late 1990s. Eventually it became the standard-issue squad automatic weapon with the Chinese army, armed police and other law enforcement forces. This light machine gun has been exported to Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and possibly some other countries. Myanmar uses unlicensed indigenous clone of this weapon.

The QJB-95 is a gas-operated weapon with a bullpup layout. It is chambered for China's indigenous DBP-87 5.8x42 mm ammunition. This ammunition had been developed in the late 1980s. It is claimed to be superior to the standard NATO 5.56x45 mm and Soviet 5.45x39 mm ammunition. However the QJB-95 typically uses DBP-88 "heavy" machine gun rounds. This round has better ballistics, longer range and superior armor penetration. The same DBP-88 "heavy" ammunition is used by Chinese QJY-88 general purpose machine gun. The QBZ-95 assault rifle can also use this "heavy" ammunition, however it will greatly wear its barrel and action. So the QBZ-95 assault rifle normally uses standard DPB-87 ammunition instead. In around 2010 a new type of ammunition, called the DBP-10 was first fielded. It is also a "heavy" round with improved ballistics. Though it was designed both for the QJB-95 light machine gun and improved QBZ-95-1 assault rifle.

Both the QBZ-95 assault rifle and QJB-95 light machine gun are designed around the same action and bullpup layout with a polymer housing. However these weapons can not be converted from one configuration to another. Generally the QJB-95 is a reliable and relatively accurate weapon.

A combines safety and fire mode selector switch is located behind the magazine, on the left. It has settings for "safe", "semi-auto" and "full-auto". Design of this weapon incorporates some features that reduce recoil.

The fire mode selector is not ambidextrous. Ejection is also performed only to the right side. However the cocking handle is located on top of the receiver, so the weapon can be charged using either hand.

The QJB-95 uses 75-round capacity drum magazines. Though this weapon is also compatible with standard 30-round capacity magazines of the QBZ-95 assault rifle.

This weapon has simple iron sights. Its integral carrying handle comes with built-in rear sight base. The carrying handle has quick-release mounting points for various sights or night vision scopes. Range of effective fire is around 600-800 meters against area targets.

This weapon can mount a knife-bayonet.



Variants



QJB-95-1 is an improved production version.

QJB-97, or Type 97, is an export version, chambered for standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. It uses 80-round capacity drum magazines or 30-round capacity box magazines. This weapon is also compatible with standard NATO (M16-type) 30-round capacity box magazines.

MA-2 Mk.3 is a Myanma-made clone of the QJB-97. This weapons was made without permission from NORINCO despite claims from Myanmar that they were designed indigenously. This weapon has some differences form the QJB-97. It was adopted by the Myanmar Army in around 2012.

http://www.military-today.com/firearms/qjb_95.htm