QBU-88
| Type 88 | |
|---|---|
The QBU-88
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| Type | Bullpup designated marksman rifle |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1997-Present |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army, People's Armed Police, various state police forces[citation needed] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | 1990s |
| Manufacturer | Norinco |
| Variants | Type 97 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 4.1 kg (9.0 lb) |
| Length | 920 mm (36.2 in) |
| Barrel length | 640 mm (25.2 in) |
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| Cartridge | 5.8×42mm DBP87 (with non-standard loading); 5.56×45mm NATO (KBU-97A export variant) |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Effective firing range | 400–800 meters |
| Feed system | 10-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | 3-9×40, 6-24×44 telescopic sights |
The QBU-88 (Type 88) sniper rifle is a designated marksman rifle deployed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
History
The QBU-88 rifle (also sometimes referred to as Type 88 rifle) was the first weapon of the newest generation of Chinese small arms, chambered for proprietary 5.8×42mm DBP87 ammunition. Adopted in 1997,[1] the QBU-88 is, by the modern sense, not a true sniper rifle – it is more of designated marksman rifle, intended for aimed semi-automatic fire at ranges beyond the capabilities of standard infantry assault rifles.[2] The rifle is intended for rough military use, so it is fitted with adjustable iron sights by default, and is generally equipped with telescopic sights or with night sights.
QBU-88 rifle is optimized for a special heavy loading of 5.8×42mm DBP87 cartridge, with a longer streamlined bullet with steel core, but apparently, can also fire standard ammunition, intended for the QBZ-95 assault rifles.[3] At the present time the QBU-88 rifle is in service with PLA and Chinese police forces.
Design details
The QBU-88 rifle is a gas operated, semiautomatic rifle. It utilizes a short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel, and three-lug rotating bolt.[3] The action is mounted in the compact steel receiver, and enclosed into a polymer bullpup-type housing. To increase accuracy, the action is mated to a 640 mm (25.1 in) long, hammer-forged match-grade barrel. The safety switch is located at the bottom of the receiver, just behind the magazine opening. The QBU-88 rifle is equipped with open, diopter type adjustable sights, mounted on folding posts. It also has a short proprietary Chinese military rail on the receiver which can accept telescope or night sight mounts.[3]
The rifle is intended to be utilized primarily with optics. The standard day optic used on the QBU-88 for military use is a Chinese 3-9×40 scope with an integral quick-release mount.[4] In 2008 a new Chinese 6-24×44 tactical scope became available for counter-terrorism and other law enforcement use.
The rifling twist for the QBU-88 differs from the standard QBZ-95 assault rifle. While the QBZ-95 has a 244 mm (1–9.6 in) twist to stabilize the standard 64-grain DBP-87 ball round, the QBU-88 has a faster 206 mm (1–8.1 in) twist to stabilize the 70-grain Heavy Ball round and dedicated Sniper load, similar to the QJY-88 general-purpose machine gun, which has progressive rifling with a final twist rate of 206 mm. A long birdcage flash suppressor is fitted to reduce the muzzle signature. A quick-detachable bipod is clamped to the barrel when required.[4]
Variants
An export version called the KBU-97a is also produced and marketed for security forces of other foreign countries.[1] This derivative utilizes 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition although, instead of STANAG magazines, a modified version of QBU-88 magazine is used to feed the rounds – and STANAG magazines will not work unless modified (including 10-round LAR-15 magazines). The KBU-97A has recently been sighted under the designation NQU03, though it is unknown if the two differentiate in any way aside from name.
