SOFREP Pic of the Day: Chinese Infantryman with Unusual Drum Fed Carbine

Today, we feature a pic of a Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldier and his drum-fed QBZ-95B-1 carbine. I wonder how many times that thing has jammed up on him.

That’s a whole lot of “spray and pray” right there.

Not Your Average Bullpup

The QBZ-95B-1 carbine is a variant of the QBZ-95, which is a family of bullpup-style automatic firearms developed by China. The QBZ-95 (Type 95) series is designed and manufactured by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) and has been in service since the mid-1990s, primarily with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. It’s not exactly a new weapon. 

The “B” in QBZ-95B-1 denotes a shorter carbine version of the standard QBZ-95 rifle. The carbine is designed for situations requiring a more compact and maneuverable firearm, such as close-quarters battle (CQB) or operations conducted by vehicle crews, special forces, and support units. The “-1” suffix indicates an improved version with modifications based on operational feedback from the original QBZ-95B.

Key features of the QBZ-95B-1 include:

• Bullpup Configuration: The magazine and action are located behind the trigger group, which allows for a shorter overall length without compromising barrel length. This design enhances maneuverability, especially in confined spaces.
• Caliber: Like the rest of the QBZ-95 family, the QBZ-95B-1 is chambered in the proprietary 5.8x42mm DBP87 round, a caliber developed by China for improved performance over the previously used 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62x39mm rounds.
• Fire Modes: The QBZ-95B-1 typically features a selector switch for semi-automatic, burst, or fully automatic fire.
• Barrel Length: Being a carbine, it has a shorter barrel than the standard QBZ-95 rifle, contributing to its compactness and ease of handling. For the record, the barrel is 369 mm in length, or 14.53″ in American freedom units of measure. 
• Accessories and Sights: The QBZ-95B-1 can be equipped with various optical and night-vision sights, though its unique design may limit compatibility with some Western accessories without adapters. Honestly, though, I doubt they’re doing much shopping at Bass Pro for their optics; they make their own stuff. 

The QBZ-95B-1, like other members of the QBZ-95 family, represents China’s effort to modernize its military forces with domestically designed and produced weaponry.

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