First unveiled to the West in 1997, China's Type 95 5.8x42mm assault rifle is currently being updated to improve its ergonomics, range and performance.

It's no secret that China has vigorously updated its military since the United States first trounced Iraq in the First Gulf War. One of the most visible upgrades was when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) unveiled a modern, domestic-designed bullpup assault rifle.

First seen by the West in 1997, the Type 95 or QBZ-95 (Q_ngwuqi Bùqi_ng--Zìdòng 1995 or Light Weapon, Rifle, Automatic 1995) was not only a dramatic departure from the PLA's older 7.62x39mm Type 81, but it was chambered for an entirely new cartridge - a modern, small-bore 5.8x42mm design that replaced the aging Soviet-designed 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge.

Thanks to its bullpup design, the rifle itself is very short and handy, despite its 18.20-inch-long cold-hammer-forged barrel. Housed inside a synthetic shell is a short-stroke gas-operated action. A three-lug rotating bolt rides inside a conventional bolt carrier.

The main features of this new weapon were its extensive use of high-tensile aluminum and modern, high-impact synthetic materials, plus improved human engineering. The rear sight's mounted on a carry handle, which also incorporates a proprietary optics rail. Housed inside the carry handle is an ambidextrous charging handle. Feed is from 30-round synthetic magazines.

Quick Overview

When examining the design, one notes its emphasizes on keeping as close as possible the distance between:

1. The center of gravity of the whole weapon and the center of gravity of the axis of the barrel.
2. The center of gravity of the bolt assembly and the axis of the gas piston.
3. The center of gravity of the barrel and the axis of the gas tube.
4. The center of gravity of the bolt carrier and the center of gravity of the whole rifle.

It's also interesting to note the Chinese claim a reliability rate equal to that of Kalashnikov's AK47/AKM/AK74 series.

Accessories for the Type 95 include:

> Magnified and unmagnified day optics with quick detachable mounts.
> Nightvision and thermal sights with quick detachable mount.
> Quick detachable 35mm grenade launcher that mounts to the forend.
> Multi-purpose bayonet that can be used as a bayonet, field knife, wire cutter and dagger.

The standard ball loading originally developed for the Type 95 is designated the DBP-87. According to Chinese engineers, this high-velocity cartridge was developed from the ground up as an armor-piercing load intended to defeat body armor. It's topped with a .236-inch 64-grain FMJ-BT projectile with a 22.6-grain armor-piercing core. The core's manufactured from hardened steel. Previous 7.62x39mm M43 ammunition featured a mild steel core.

The 24.2mm-long projectile is loaded into a copper washed steel case. Overall cartridge length is 58mm and case length is 42.2mm. In profile, the 5.8x42mm DBP-87 cartridge somewhat resembles the Russian 5.45x39mm M74. It sports a similar sharp case taper to aid feeding and extraction. However, the 5.8x42mm's case neck is shorter.

Muzzle velocity from the Type 95's 18.2-inch barrel is 3,050 fps. It clocks 3,182 fps out of the Type 95 Squad Automatic's longer 21.9-inch barrel.

With its modern bullpup design, the Type 95 features a short-stroke gas system with a three-lug rotating bolt.

Since its adoption, the Type 95 has become standard issue and seen service with Chinese peacekeepers in Haiti and security forces in Iraq.

The Good, The Bad

The Type 95 has been in widespread service long enough now for the PLA to have formed an opinion on the rifle, and its cartridge. On the positive side, the rifle's relatively short and handy at just 29.3 inches and 7.1 pounds. It balances well and is quick handling, especially in tight quarters. Reliability and accuracy are good and the weapon itself is robust.

But it's hardly perfect and there have been vocal complaints about a few of its shortcomings. One complaint from Chinese troops centered on annoying fumes and un-burnt powder particles ejected in close proximity to the shooter's face. The use of low-quality powder made the fume problem especially bad.

The Chinese solution was to introduce a new load, the DBP-95, loaded with a cleaner-burning powder. In addition, the Chinese also took this opportunity to switch to a non-corrosive primer.

It's believed that production of DBP-87 ammunition has ceased, although it'll remain in service until existing stocks are depleted. Technically, it's been replaced in Chinese service by the DBP-95.

Complaints regarding the weapon itself generally revolve around the rifle's poor human engineering. The lead designer of this system, who was called out of retirement to head the project in 1992, has stated bluntly that his team was under a strict 2 1/2-year timeline (plus 2 years of field testing) to complete the design. He's said the weapon could have been much improved, if he'd been given more time.

It should be noted, though, that the resources available to him were, in his words, "unlimited." He also stated the weapon had to be designed around the relatively poor-quality materials available and the inferior workmanship displayed by Chinese factory workers compared to the West.

Due to the PLA's time constraints, the rifle has a very poorly placed selector lever. Poorly placed actually understates the problem. A Kalashnikov has a poorly placed selector. Instead, it would be hard to design a selector that was worse than what's mounted on the Type 95. It's placed on the left side of the butt, far out of reach. This severely handicaps PLA troops from quickly bringing their rifle into action.

The soldier's solution is of course to simply leave the selector on either Semi or Auto with an empty chamber. Then, on contact, he simply runs the charging handle, which is much easier to reach. This, of course, is far from ideal.

In addition, there have been complaints concerning the Type 95's trigger pull. This isn't unusual when it comes to bullpup-type rifles in general. Soldiers say it has a less-than-ideal spongy feel.

The Type 95's action is housed inside a synthetic shell. It's fitted with an adjustable gas system, easily accepts optical sights and feeds from 30-round synthetic magazines.

Build Again

Given the list of problems, the PLA has therefore undertaken a program to improve the Type 95. The lead designer of the Type 95 program, who's now retired, has stated that the project is being worked on by some of his students. Known goals for the program are to:

1. Improve the rifle's ergonomics/controls.
2. Chamber it for new ammunition with double the effective range.
3. Add a quick-firing grenade launcher.

Improving the rifle's ergonomics would include at the least an easy-to-reach and easy-to-manipulate selector. This would go a long way toward making the rifle more user friendly. It's possible that a bolt hold-open could be added, but that would dictate a new magazine as well.

Another possibility is to change the ejection path for spent cases from out the right side to front ejection. This would allow the rifle to be fired off the left shoulder. But it should be understood that everyone's brought up right-handed in China. So all soldiers in the PLA are taught to shoot right-handed. However, the ability to shoot from the non-dominant shoulder's a very real tactical advantage.

Whether the Chinese will go this far remains to be seen. We do know they've replaced the relatively light barrel with one that features a heavier profile. The action's also been redesigned for the new ammunition.

Notable

> Part 2 of this story will feature a detailed discussion of cartridge possibilities for the new rifle, including an in-depth analysis of current Chinese cartridges.

- End of part 1 (of 2) -

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