Norinco CQ M-311 and Norinco QBZ-03 Assault Rifle

Norinco CQ Assault Rifle Sometimes called the NorincoType CQ, M-311, or Type 311, this is a rather crude Chinese copy of the M-16A1. It differs from that rifle only in minor details, such as the handguards and the more rounded appearance of the furniture of the weapon. This Norinco CQ Assault Rifle has been seen in the hands of Muhajedin fighters in Afghanistan (though virtually all of them seem to have disappeared by the time of the December 200 US invasion), but appears to have been initially designed for export to western nations. However, the CQ’s largest customer to date has been Iran, who have issued it to some of their troops and have also used it as the base for their two new assault rifles.

Norinco CQ Assault Rifle/Norinco M-311

In addition to an occasional sighting in Afghanistan, the CQ was often seen in the hands of North Korean infiltrators, as well as being used by Thai troops. In a weapons market glutted by real M-16s, the CQ is mostly a curiosity rather than a commonly-seen weapon.

Norinco QBZ-03 (Type 03) Assault Rifle

Norinco QBZ-03 Assault Rifle For reasons that the Chinese have yet to state, Chinese troops are apparently less than happy with the QBZ-95. For this reason, a new rifle has been developed, the Norinco QBZ-03 Assault Rifle. It still fires the 5.8mm Chinese round, but has a more conventional layout instead of being a bullpup like the QBZ-95; in fact, it looks very much like the earlier Type 87. The Norinco QBZ-03 Assault Rifle is not yet in widespread issue and is still regarded as being in the advanced testing phases by the Chinese, and it is not yet known whether it will replace or supplement the QBZ-95.

Norinco QBZ-03 Assault Rifle

The operation of the Norinco QBZ-03 Assault Rifle appears to be based upon that of the Type 81, somewhat updated for reliability and appropriately modified for the 5.8mm cartridge. The gas block has a 2-position gas regulator; one position is for normal use, and the other is a gas cutoff for use with non-bullet trap rifle grenades. The selector allows only for semiautomatic or automatic fire, but the cyclic rate is low enough (650 RPM) that short bursts can be squeezed off with practice.

Unlike the Type 81, the QBZ-03 has a twopiece receiver, with push pins allowing it to be opened and field-stripped. Construction of the metalwork is largely of stamped steel, with the stock, pistol grip and handguards being made of polymer. The skeletonized stock is hinged and folds to the right. The rear sight is a flip type adjustable for windage and elevation and is protected; the front sight is a simple hooded post. Forward of the rear sight is a short proprietary rail which will accept any optic the Chinese use, as well as several other Eastern and Western types.