The QBZ-03 (Mandarin: Qīngwǔqi Bùqiāng Zìdòng—"轻武器""步枪""自动"—"light rifle automatic") assault rifle, also known as the Type 03, is a Chinese gas operated, selective-fire assault rifle designed and developed for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 round.
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.
History The QBZ-03's design was finalized in December 2003 and it was given the name designation Type 03. It appears to be a continuation of the Type 87. Public information regarding the rifle was first reported in the November 2004 issue of "Weapon Knowledge".
Plans to develop the QBZ-03 were made over concerns made from reports with the use of the QBZ-95.
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. The QBZ-03 has a folding stock.
In 2015, the manufacturer displayed a version with a quad-rail hand guard; the short rear section screws onto the upper receiver.
The gas block has two position regulator and a hooded front sight with a flip-up rear diopter sight.
Variants
T03 The T03 is an export variant chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge.
EM3513 The EM3513 is semi-automatic export variant, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. First introduced in 2005 by the China Jing-She. An Import-Export and Jiang-She Group companies, the variant is fed by STANAG magazines and has an integrated three-round burst mode.
QTS-11 OICW Upgrade In February 2011, photos appeared of the QTS-11, a combination of the Type 03 assault rifle with a 20 mm airburst grenade launcher. This made China the third country to develop an airburst infantry weapon, after the United States and South Korea.
Users
People's Liberation Army People's Liberation Army Ground Force border defense units People's Liberation Army Rocket Force People's Liberation Army Marine Corps People's Armed Police
Non-State United Wa State Army
References
External links