The QJS-161 Paratrooper Machinegun (Chinese: 161式伞兵机枪; pinyin: Yāo liù yāo shì Sǎnbīng Jīqiāng) is a Chinese light machine gun designed and manufactured by Norinco and Airborne Corps.[2]

QJS-161/QJB-201
TypeLight machine gun
Place of originChina
Production history
ManufacturerNorinco
Specifications
Mass4.4 kg (9.7 lb) (empty)
Length900 mm (35.4 in) (stock unfolded)

Cartridge5.8×42mm DBP-191
ActionGas-operated short-stroke piston, rotating bolt, open bolt[1]
Rate of fire700-800 rounds/min[1]
Muzzle velocity930–960 m/s (3,051–3,150 ft/s)[1]
Effective firing range600–800 m (2,000–2,600 ft; 660–870 yd)[1]
Feed system30 round box magazine
75 round QJB-95 drum magazine
100 round belt with disintegrating links[1]
SightsQMK-204 (3x)

Development

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The QJB-201 and QJS-161 are designed to replace China's QBB-95 series squad automatic weapon and QJY-88 light machine gun.[1]

Design

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The QJS-161 features two types of barrel varied in length, presumably for different requirements from the PLA Ground Force and the PLAAF Airborne Corps.

The QJS-161 features a weight reduction design, such as lightweight material for the gun body and the fabric detachable box magazine, reducing the empty weight to 4.4 kg (9.7 lb).[3]

As an open-bolt machine gun, the QJS-161 uses 5.8×42mm ammunition that can feed either from a disintegrating belt in fabric container loaded into the feed port on the left side of the weapon, or a standard Chinese 5.8×42mm box magazine inserted vertically into the magazine well at the bottom of the weapon,[4] and the non-reciprocating charging handle is located on its right.

The side-folding stock features a fully adjustable buttpad and cheek rest.[5] The barrel change requires the opening of the feed tray cover, which is a safety feature ensuring ammunition is removed before barrel replacement process.[1]

A picatinny rail is located behind the short feed tray cover above the feeding port.[6]

Variant

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QJB-201

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The QJB-201 Squad Machinegun (Chinese: 201式班用机枪; pinyin: Èr líng yāo shì Bānyòng Jīqiāng)[7] has a longer barrel and an adjustable stock intended for the Ground Force.

Users

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See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Schooler, Lynndon (26 December 2024). "The Chinese QJB-201 Light Machine Gun". The Firearm Blog.
  2. "QJS161 new flight debut, full-scattered bullet, comparable to Western similar products". inf.news. 15 October 2022. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  3. "中国陆军换新装,新班机、新精准步枪亮相,战力再获一次提升". Netease News. 23 May 2023.
  4. "QJS161型新班机亮相,全可散弹链供弹,媲美西方同类产品". Tencent News (in Chinese). 24 March 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  5. "军工工艺进步巨大,航展上解放军未来新枪族?外貌与内涵兼而有之". NetEase News (in Chinese). 5 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  6. "国产最新轻机枪出现!小口径短管更适合特战两栖,和美军同一水平". Net Ease News (in Chinese). 22 March 2021. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  7. "博物馆里的新枪族,见证轻武器发展,解放军单兵武器未来可期". NetEase News (in Chinese). 4 August 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2022.