Type 97

The current main service rifle of the Chinese People's Liberation Army/Law enforcement units the QBZ-95 had many derived products and variants, one of which is the QBZ-97, a model developed for export. The two rifles are commonly refer to as Type 95 and Type 97 to indicate their year of development completion/service entered. Type 97 is a selective fire, bullpup configured assault rifle that operates on the same principle as Type 95, gas operated, short-stroke piston, rotating bolt operation. Brass ejects from the right, charge handle is located on top of the receiver below the carrying handle, the gun frame itself is made from Industrial grade polymers. QBZ-97 is able to reach a rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute, effectively cover 400 metres of firing range. Type 95 is chambered for the Chinese servicing 5.8x42mm calibre, Type 97 however was developed for export into nations that prefer using the 5.56x45mm calibre, it had several distinctive adjustments made to cope with the firing of 5.56x45mm NATO. 5.56 NATO have a higher average chamber pressure than the 5.8, to ensure stable performance, adjustment was made to the gas cylinder diameter, volume and position. Empty brass ejection force of the 5.56 is also significantly larger, the brass ejection mechanism has also been reworked to compensate for this. Other minor feature change includes a differently designed muzzle and adjusted magazine well to accept STANAG magazines. Later production variants of Type 97 would feature a three round burst fire mode that can be found on Type 95, on top of semi and fully automatic firing. Additional Picatinny rail placements can be found on the weapon to fit combat accessories and further improve the weapon's commercial appeal to the buyer country.