QBZ-191 service rifle family
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
It's protruding just enough that it can't. We said this a few pages ago but it will most likely require a new upper that is taller or a redesigned gas chamber to fix that.
The QBZ upper / lower connects into one piece like a Swiss SIG 550. A result of its AK dna perhaps, with two pieces coming together into a compact receiver and rock 'n lock mag insertion design. Unlike the AR platform with the lower protruding below with exaggerated magazine wells, I notice American gun enthusiasts are very obsessive when it comes to mag wells. I find this design more attractive. Do we know if the AR platform has greater height compared to the QBZ?
So the aftermarket kid includes the FF MLOK handguard, a new stock, and possibly a new pistol grip to.
The two tone version and is probably the better choice for regular military folks especially if they're operating in central or western theaters, by helping break up the silhouette of the rifle more.
Either way, if they aren't going to produce a new QBZ-191 standard variant with these upgrades (and a new upper/gas block design to allow continuous 9 oclock picatinny), then these kits are probably the next best thing. The PLA would really benefit from more unified procurement/bulk buy initiatives for infantry equipment including rifle kits and accessories.
The aesthetics of the QBZ is just better IMO. That lower on the AR protruding below like that.
I wonder why the Russians retained that old design with the single heavy receiver with a flimsy dust cover on top? Why not go the way of the Swiss SIG 550?
They just updated the AK12 model last year. They won't be getting rid of it anytime soon. I think the AM-17 is the superior rifle and super sexy too.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
Yet that extended magazine well allows its best feature.
That’s actually a simple reason. Transitioning and training. The (production) AK12 I would argue is a poorer clone in concept of the IWI ACE. But they are based on the same idea. If you have an army of conscripts whom have trained on the AK74 or AKM for decades. It’s going to take a while for retrain them on a completely new system. But if what you issue is an iteration rather than a revolution it’s going to be easy.
Done properly maybe an hour in a class room followed by an hour of range time. Of course the Russian army in Ukraine has been known to skip basic training and refresher training all together but still if you have any memory of Conscription service with an AK you should have some idea.
It’s the same idea Sig had when they developed the MCX they used the AR lower and T handle has the basic controls. It’s a new rifle but anyone whom has ever operated an M16, M4, Ar15 series rifle instantly knows how to operate its basic functions.
This is a commercial offering not meant for the Red Army. It’s meant for export and private users.
The AM17 is one another is the Kord 6P67. Both have the potential to serve as a better basis for an Infantry modernization but the Russian army didn’t want to make the changes. However given as we still see the vast majority of Russian troops still using Iron sights and the known issues of Supply and training or lack there in the Red Army… neither option would really be of benefit. It’s the same for the AK 22 and the 6.02x41mm. Maybe down the line a decade or two with real substantial reforms could take advantage of them but with what they have now? Only a dwindling handful have the ability to use it.
The PLA Qbz 191 by contrast shows a willingness to compromise more. They clearly felt the QBZ95 didn’t have the growth potential they wanted for modernization. They were willing to make changes in training as they moved to a completely different manual of maintenance but kept some carry over for those whom had familiarity with the QBZ03 and the logistics of the existing 5.8x42mm magazines + associated web gear. It’s a major step to toss away the existing equipment you have and usually you have some compromise to try and ease that.