The QSZ-92 (Chinese: 92式手枪; pinyin: Jiǔ Èr Shì Shoǔqiāng; lit. 'Type 92 Handgun'), sometimes known as the Type 92,[2] is a semi-automatic pistol designed by Norinco.

QSZ-92
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originChina
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerLiu Ming (刘铭) of the Small Arms Research Institute (formerly the 208 Research Institute); also attributed to Qing Shangsheng (卿上升)
Designedearly 1990s[1]
ManufacturerChongqing Changfeng Machine Manufacturing Ltd[2]
Produced1998–present[3]
VariantsQSZ92-9, QSZ92-5.8
Specifications
Mass760 g (1.68 lb)
Length190 mm (7.48 in)
Barrel length111 mm (4.33 in)
Width35 mm (1.4 in)
Height135 mm (5.3 in)

Cartridge
ActionShort recoil, locked breech, rotating barrel lock
Muzzle velocity350 m/s (1,150 ft/s) (9×19mm Parabellum)
Effective firing range50 m (160 ft) (9×19mm Parabellum)
Feed systemDetachable box magazine; capacities:
  • 15 rounds (9×19mm)
  • 20 rounds (5.8×21mm)
SightsFixed, 3-dot type

History

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The decision to develop a new pistol was made in 1987 to replace the Type 54/64/77.[4] Research and development started in 1992.[4]

Development of the QSZ-92 pistol began in 1994 and was adopted by the People's Liberation Army's forces in 1998. The export variants (9×19mm versions) include the CF-98 (barrel life c. 8,000 rds) and the NP-42 (barrel life c. 10,000 rds). The latter is the basic version without provisions for suppressor etc. Both have so far found commercial export in Canada. The CF-98 has also been sighted in parts of Africa.[5]

In June 2022, it's reported that Iraq has made the pistol the Babylon through the Defence Industries Commission.[6][7] They are sold to Iraqi lawyers who need personal protection.[8] Former prime minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi was gifted the first Babylon made.[9] It was reported that Norinco provided assistance in manufacturing the Babylon.[10]

On 11 July 2024, it was confirmed that the Hong Kong Police Force would adopt the CF98A and CS/LP5 respectively to replace the S&W M10HB revolvers for uniformed officers and SIG P250 Dcc pistols for detectives[11] as necessary parts for maintenance are running out.[12]

Design

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The pistol operates with a recoil-operated, locked-breech and has a rotating barrel locking system, in which the barrel rotates on recoil to lock and unlock itself from the slide, and the front part of the frame under the barrel is shaped as an accessory rail to accept laser sights or flash lights. A unique feature of this pistol is the detachable steel frame that sits inside the polymer grip and contains the fire control group. Like many modern military pistols, the QSZ-92 has a double-action/single-action trigger with a combined safety/decocker.[13]

Its dual stack magazine holds either fifteen rounds of 9×19mm Parabellum ammunition (QSZ-92-9) or twenty proprietary 5.8×21mm Chinese-made armor-piercing rounds[1] with bottle-necked case and pointed bullets (QSZ-92-5.8), closely resembling the 5.7×28mm Belgian format. Unlike most pistol magazines which narrow at the top for a consistent single-feed angle, the QSZ-92 has true double column staggered-feed in the same manner as many rifle magazines.[13]

The star engraving on the pistol grip indicates the ammo type. 9×19mm Parabellum version has the star, while military 5.8×21mm version does not. Export variants, which are chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum ammunition, have the star engraving.[14]

Accessory

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QSZ-92 is fitted with QUS-181 suppressor. The suppressor is mounted on the rail instead of the muzzle due to the rotating barrel design.[15]

Variants

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  • QSZ-92: Basic variant, which chambers the bottlenecked 5.8×21mm DAP92 ammunition or 9×19mm Parabellum. Its R50[clarification needed] value is smaller than 5 cm (2.0 in), R100 value smaller than 11 cm (4.3 in). Its failure rate is lower than 2 out of 1000 and its lifespan is 3000 rounds.
    • QSZ-92-5.8: Military version for the PLA.[1]
    • QSZ-92-9: Police version.[1]
  • QSZ-92G: Redesigned variant with improved reliability, ergonomics and under-rail for attachments. barrel life span is increased to 10,000 rounds.
    • QSZ-92G-5.8: Military version.
    • QSZ-92G-9: Police version.
  • CF98: Export variant chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum with a lifespan of 8000 rounds.[16]
  • NP42: Redesigned export variant chambering 9×19mm Parabellum with a lifespan of 10000 rounds, staggered-feed capacity of 15/10 rounds, and a decreased failure rate of 1 out of 1000. Its accuracy has been improved, with a R50 value of smaller than 4 cm (1.6 in) and R100 value of less than 9 cm (3.5 in).
  • CS/LP5: Compact pistol chambered in 9×19mm with 7-round magazines and a service life of 8,000 rounds.[18]
  • QSZ-92A: Improved model showcased in 2021. Standard variant of the new QSZ-92 platform.[15]
  • QSZ-92B: Improved model showcased in 2021. Compact variant of the new QSZ-92 platform.[15]
  • QSZ-193: Improved model showcased in 2021. Subcompact variant of the new QSZ-92 platform.[19]
  • BOF Type 92: Bangladeshi pistol made based on the QSZ-92/CF-98.
  • Babylon: Iraqi pistol made based on the QSZ-92/CF-98.[6]

Users

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Type 92 / QSZ-92". 22 October 2010.
  2. ^ a b https://web.archive.org/web/20070426120806/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/small_arms/qsz92.asp [bare URL]
  3. ^ "NORINCO QSZ-92 (Type 92) Semi-Automatic Service Pistol".
  4. ^ a b "掌中尖兵:中國92式系列手槍系統(2)--軍事--人民網". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Why do I See CF98, the Chinese Service Pistol, in My Nightmares?". 5 August 2024.
  6. ^ a b "China is Making Iraq Military Industry Great Again". 10 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Made in Iraq. The Commission unveil Babel pistol launch to make powerful impression".
  8. ^ "Military industries agree to supply lawyers with a Babylon pistol".
  9. ^ "First pistol locally made dedicated by the Commission to the Prime Minister AlKadhimi".
  10. ^ "A statement of Defence Industries Commission".
  11. ^ Lo, Clifford; Lo, Hoi-ying (11 July 2024). "Hong Kong police to replace US-made service revolvers with mainland Chinese pistols". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024.
  12. ^ a b c Lo, Clifford (4 May 2022). "Hong Kong police consider importing pistols from mainland China to replace American revolvers". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  13. ^ a b Bartocci, Christopher. "CF98: The New Chinese Service Pistol". Small Arms Review. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  14. ^ "Type 92 Pistol". Guns' world (in Chinese).
  15. ^ a b c "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.
  16. ^ "Pistol Type CF98_Pistol_Weapon_Products_Jing An". cjaie.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018.
  17. ^ "Pistol Type CF98A_Pistol_Weapon_Products_Jing an".
  18. ^ "Pistol Type CS/LP5_Pistol_Weapon_Products_Jing An". cjaie.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021.
  19. ^ "新型手枪亮相!9毫米口径7发单排弹匣,空降兵已第一批换装". Sohu News. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  20. ^ a b "PLA Infantry Weapons: Small Arms of the World's Largest Army". 29 April 2014.
  21. ^ "ODIN - OE Data Integration Network".
  22. ^ Jones, Richard; Ness, Leland S., eds. (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons: 2009-2010 (35, revised ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 9780710628695.[page needed]
  23. ^ Guinea Armed Forces begin Flintlock 2020 (Image 3 of 3)
  24. ^ Holtom, Paul; Pavesi, Irene (December 2018). Trad update 2018: Sub-Saharan Africa in Focus (PDF). Small Arms Survey. p. 69. ISBN 978-2-940548-61-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 January 2019.
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