The Type 95's carrying handle is actually not a carrying handle, but an upper handguard.
Posted by SuperM3e46@reddit | ForgottenWeapons | View on Reddit | 26 comments
I don't know if there are many posts about Chinese made rifles here, so I'll post one.
According to the official manual, that handle is officially just the upper handguard（上护盖）. It’s designed to protect the charging handle and mount our optical sights. To avoid zero shifts or loosening the mounts, our PLA is discouraged from using it as a literal carrying handle. but it is not strictly forbidden. It’s one of those things where you can do it, but there's just no point. If we’re on the move, we use the sling. It’s far more efficient and keeps your hands ready. Carrying it like a briefcase just feels wrong in a tactical environment.
Antonw194200@reddit
Being in the PLA can you answer me this: is the military version as sharp on the corners as the export version? I bought a couple of the civilian version in 5.56 and not a single edge had any chamfering. It was the QBZ-97.
SuperM3e46@reddit (OP)
That makes sense. The QBZ-97 is an export model focused on being budgetfriendly, so the finishing naturally isn't as refined. In contrast, the later PLA issue 95-1 saw significant improvements in manufacturing and ergonomics. It’s much smoother than those early export batches you’re dealing with
Antonw194200@reddit
Thanks. Very interesting.
SuperM3e46@reddit (OP)
Are you in Canada? I think considering the price of the Type 97, you could buy some modification kits for a better experience.
Nihlus_Kriyk@reddit
Sadly Canadians can no longer purchase semi automatic weapons nowadays.
SuperM3e46@reddit (OP)
And I remember that the QBZ97 was a modified version of the old 95, so it shouldn't have Bolt Hold Open? I hope you can satisfy my curiosity.
Antonw194200@reddit
I'm in Sweden. I don't think they had bolt hold open but I'm not sure. They sold pretty quickly (I'm a gun dealer).
SuperM3e46@reddit (OP)
Oh, you've taught me something new too, because I didn't know you could buy Chinese made export models in Sweden. I thought they were only sold in Canada.
Antonw194200@reddit
Yea we get the whole catalogue. Type 56 AK is probably the most popular and the the M305 (m14).
MunkSWE94@reddit
Guessing like most guns with any kind of carry handle it was intended for that when the gun was designed, but tactics and drill changed.
SuperM3e46@reddit (OP)
If you look at the 95's ergonomics, there’s antislip texturing on all the high contact areas, but the upper handguard is completely smooth. That lack of grip texture tells me it was never intended to be a carrying handle from day one.
MunkSWE94@reddit
The M16, FAMAS, the early L85 with iron sights and the prototype/early derivatives of the Type 95 also didn't have anti slip textures. Yet in the patents it's called and shown to be used as carry handles.
But I reckon by the time the Type 95 went into service the drill of using it for that purpose most likely stopped by every major military.
SuperM3e46@reddit (OP)
I don't know much about that, but I remember that during the Vietnam War, the M16 could be carried with a carrying handle. but later it's forbidden.
the_friendly_one@reddit
I served six years in the infantry. Never once did someone say anything about carrying M16s or M4s by the carry handle. We just didn't do it because it wasn't necessary and just didn't feel right. It was never "forbidden."
SuperM3e46@reddit (OP)
Yeah, both US Army and PLA we have the sling.
MunkSWE94@reddit
It's not really about slings. Here's a video on what I tried to describe earlier about carrying a rifle, sometimes soldiers used to (mainly smaller armies or those who hadn't see much conflict) carry it like that until the 1990's.
https://youtu.be/-P7bwMHmwUo?is=KMnwjWyLVMz7EAAZ
SuperM3e46@reddit (OP)
ah! you're discussing this issue, I also want to complain. In recent years, similar problems have appeared WW2 themed tv produced in china where ww2 soldiers are shown marching using modern postures.
I believe the reason is that WWII rifles were generally longer than modern rifles, making them less convenient to hold like modern soldiers.
MunkSWE94@reddit
He mentions that in the video.
I would say it's has more to do with soldiers/police are trained to be ready as as fast as possible. And now we have 3-point and 1-point slings.
MunkSWE94@reddit
Because the Americans wanted their troops to be at a "high ready" stance at all time during Vietnam and it became standard doctrine after. Other countries just adopted it later.
Davenator_98@reddit
That even applies to things like the AR-15's charging handle, right handed operation was preferred back then.
Ironically, this led to modern guns still using an ergonomically inferior design because people are so used to it.
cor1912@reddit
Isn’t this literally the same as the AR? From when the charging handle was upward facing.
BallisticRicehat666@reddit
Very interesting tid-bit I didn’t know about a gun I love, thanks for sharing
SuperM3e46@reddit (OP)
Glad you enjoyed it! I’ve always felt that as a standardissue rifle, the Type 95 has served its purpose well. We have 2 million brave soldiers, and for us, the 95 has always been a reliable comrade.
CyberSoldat21@reddit
If not carry handle then why carry handle shaped? Joke aside the QBZ-95 series of guns are very cool looking
sd4f@reddit
In the South African R4/R5/R6 video, he comments that the carrying handle was intentionally not included, which otherwise is present on the galil, so that soldiers would carry it in a manner allowing them to use it.
I suspect it may be something similar here, if a soldier is carrying a rifle, it should be in a manner where it is ready to use in an instant.
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