QBZ-191

The Chinese military initiated the development of conventional-layout service rifles in 2014, with multiple manufacturers involved in the development and bidding process. Various prototypes of the new weapon platform were leaked online in 2016 and 2017. The QBZ-191 rifle was designed by Norinco's 208 Research Institute, which also designed the QBZ-95 rifle. According to the director of the 208 Research Institute, QBZ-191 is a component of the new "Integrated Soldier Combat System" (Chinese: 单兵综合作战系统), which aims to overhaul the PLA's infantry equipment. The QBZ-191 was formally revealed at the 70th Anniversary National Day military parade on 1 October 2019, carried by personnel of the PLA Ground Force and People's Armed Police. In 2021, Janes Information Services reported that QBZ-191 was set to replace the QBZ-95 and QBZ-03 in PLA service. The QBZ-191 is designated as part of the Type 20 (Chinese: 20式; pinyin: 20 Shì) weapon family by the People's Liberation Army. During the "Laos-China Friendship Shield-2024" military exercises in July 2024, Chinese troops presented the QBZ-191 to their Laotian counterparts. The Royal Thai Army reportedly took interest in purchasing an export variant in 2025.

Compared to the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-191 uses a conventional configuration similar to the QBZ-03, with greatly improved ergonomics, ambidextrous usability, and better reliability across different environments. The platform features various barrel lengths and handguard configurations. A shorter carbine version was carried by vehicle crews during the 2019 parade. The rifle has been designed into three variants: a standard rifle version with a 368.3 mm (14.5 in) barrel, a carbine version with a 266.7 mm (10.5 in) barrel called QBZ-192, and a long-barreled DMR version called the QBU-191.

The QBZ-191 automatic rifle features a full-length Picatinny rail on the top for mounting optics. The rifle is also equipped with backup iron sights that can be folded down when not in use. The main body is divided into the upper and lower receivers, both are made of aluminium alloy and connected by two assembly pins, while the handguard, pistol grip and telescoping stock are made of polymer material. The reciprocating charging handle is located on the right side, while the bolt-release button sits on the left, above the "rock-and-lock" magazine insertion well. The weapon features a short-stroke piston gas-operation design with rotating bolt. The rotating bolt has four locking lugs and a helical cam-in locking mechanism. A three-position gas regulator is located at the gas block attached to the handguard via dovetails. The fire control group is a self-contained modular unit with a fire selector in the order of safe, full auto, and semi-automatic firing. The QBZ-191 has a full-auto rate of fire at approximately 750 rounds per minute. The selective fire is retained on the QBU-191 designated marksman rifle, allowing the conversion to a light support weapon.

The QBZ-191 rifle is chambered in the Chinese-proprietary 5.8×42mm caliber with a redesigned DBP-191 ammunition that has better ballistic performance at medium to long ranges. The QBZ-191 family can also accept older types of 5.8×42mm ammunition.

The rifle has improved ergonomics, modularity, and customization options, featuring a 4-position adjustable buttstock, ambidextrous fire selector, and a lengthened magazine release lever located in front of the trigger guard for speed-reloading or easier manipulation when wearing gloves. The new polymer magazine has a redesigned surface texture for better grip and a transparent ammunition-checking window. with a design similar to that of Magpul PMAG. The weapon platform, including both the carbine and marksman rifle, can also feed from various types of magazines, including the new transparent 30-round polymar magazine, older 30-round QBZ-95 magazines, and from the 75-round magazines of the QJB-95 light support weapons. There's also a new 100-round drum magazine developed for the weapon family. The frontal handguard features provisions at its 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions for customization, which allow small sections of Picatinny rails to be selectively installed through screw holes, so that various accessories such as flashlight, laser module, foregrip, bipod, and a type of grip pod with button controls for the integrated infantry combat system can be attached. The weapon platform can also be mounted with bayonets, suppressors, and under-barrel grenade launchers. A dedicated laser designator module has been developed for the weapon platform. For the optics, the weapon comes standard with new 3× daylight prismatic optics called QMK152 and QMK-171A, while a thermal sight is also available. The DMR variant is equipped with a new 3–8.6× scope called QMK-191, and the weapon can also be equipped with the IR5118 digital night vision/thermal scope. Third-party handguards are available.

QBZ-191 Assault rifle with a 14.5 in (368.3 mm) barrel. QBZ-192 Carbine variant with a 10.5 in (266.7 mm) barrel. QBU-191 Designated marksman rifle with an 800 m (870 yd) effective range. It is fitted with an accurized long, heavy free-floating barrel, extended aluminum alloy handguard, 30-round box magazine, and a QMK-191 variable-magnification (3–8.6×) telescopic sight. Selective fire with full-auto mode is retained on the marksman rifle, improving its fire suppression capability. CS/LR41 Export designation for the QBZ-191, chambered in 5.8×42mm. CS/LR41A Export designation for the QBZ-192, chambered in 5.8×42mm. CS/LR41B Export designation for the QBU-191, chambered in 5.8×42mm. CS/LR42 A variant of the QBZ-191 chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. CS/LR42A A variant of the QBZ-192 chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. CS/LR43 A variant of the QBZ-191 chambered in 7.62×39mm. CS/LR43A A variant of the QBZ-192 chambered in 7.62×39mm. CS/LR44 A variant of the QBU-191 chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. QBZ-191 6.8mm Prototype A variant of the QBZ-191 chambered in an unknown type of 6.8 mm (0.27 in) ammunition.

China: Being adopted by the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police. Hong Kong: Reported to be seen with HKPF PTU officers during a parade in 2023.