Qbu88?

[FARMHANDYO]

Let's talk about some interesting stories.
Although it is hard to say what the 5.56 version of the Type 88 sniper rifle sold to southeast asian countries in the early years was called, the actual model of the "Type 97 sniper rifle" sold to the Canadian civilian market was not "QBU97", but "NQU03". The reason why it was specially renamed "Type 97", was deliberately made to form the relationship with the type 97 rifle. The lab was deceived by this, and really thought it was a sub-model of the 97, so the first batch was put on sale without much inspection.
After the sale, they realized that something was "wrong" (the 88 sniper is actually based on the SVD, and the ridiculous regulations prohibit the sale of SVD and its derivative models). At this time, dozens of them had been sold. Some said that more than 30 were sold, and many others are still in the dealer's warehouse and cannot be sold). This is why the emergency stop was made.
In 2014, domestic exporters planned to repeat the same trick and renamed the type 97 rifle to NQZ03, intending to make the type 03 rifle family to get through again (however, they did not even change the receiver inscription this time), but the lab would not fall for the trick a second time.
By the way, the plastic parts of the NQU03 exported to Canada did come from an early batch of 88 sniper rifles that were scrapped due to improper storage. This is why the plastic parts and receiver S/N on some guns are not matching.

Are you saying that the RCMP considers the 5.56 imports of the QBU-88 as prohibited? I never heard of that before. But 2011 is way before my time in the firearms market

 

[Tactical Imports]

I just want normal type 81 folders. Not trash light wood with mismatched colours, Not lmgs, not ####ty special red versions with lower qc, not poorly designed snipers, not under folders that are clearly repurposed snipers, just a NORMAL military type 81. But for some reason someone at TI has a hard-on for not importing them.

And ti's bs excuse of the plant isn't making them anymore is laughable, so they will make a completely new design a heavy barrel under folder but not a cheap existing one. Yeah ok.

Should have bought when you had the chance, we couldn't give the first batch away and took like 4 years @$999. First shipment was by far the worst quality.

We try not to do that same thing twice, adds collectability and rewards buyers with strong residual values. The SA/SE are only for collectors at this point, new ones are leagues better shooters

I’m glad I pre ordered a classic side folder back in the day : )

I handled a friends fixed stock version that has a very heavy barrel. Not the LMG version it’s something else. Anyways it weighs so much more than the older ones that we had imported. I really don’t understand why they made all these different versions. I think it shows how flexible Norinco must be. They could definitely get QBU-88s imported here. I wouldn’t even be surprised if Norinco has 100s of 5.56 QBUs in storage.

Only 100g difference between SA/SE and M...

 

[FARMHANDYO]

Should have bought when you had the chance, we couldn't give the first batch away and took like 4 years @$999. First shipment was by far the worst quality.

We try not to do that same thing twice, adds collectability and rewards buyers with strong residual values. The SA/SE are only for collectors at this point, new ones are leagues better shooters



Only 100g difference between SA/SE and M...

If you were to import the QBU-88 would it be the same process of pre ordering like was done with the first shipment of Type 81s? Is it better to do it this way?

 

[Tactical Imports]

If you were to import the QBU-88 would it be the same process of pre ordering like was done with the first shipment of Type 81s? Is it better to do it this way?

If we could to do, it would be special order yes. We're honestly not convinced there's more then a few vocal collectors willing to drop B&T money on Chinese rifles, and don't want to be stuck with a ton of inventory we couldn't move. But we're getting ahead of ourselves here, we need to be sure these are even still available, there is good chance factory discontinued these for QBZ production

 

[FARMHANDYO]

If we could to do, it would be special order yes. We're honestly not convinced there's more then a few vocal collectors willing to drop B&T money on Chinese rifles, and don't want to be stuck with a ton of inventory we couldn't move. But we're getting ahead of ourselves here, we need to be sure these are even still available, there is good chance factory discontinued these for QBZ production

Does Norinco ever keep stock piles of civilian versions of their military rifles for export? Or would they have to make the QBU-88s from scratch once an order is placed?

 

[Tactical Imports]

Does Norinco ever keep stock piles of civilian versions of their military rifles for export? Or would they have to make the QBU-88s from scratch once an order is placed?

Most likely from scratch, but we'll see

 

[Longbranch1943]

If we could to do, it would be special order yes. We're honestly not convinced there's more then a few vocal collectors willing to drop B&T money on Chinese rifles, and don't want to be stuck with a ton of inventory we couldn't move. But we're getting ahead of ourselves here, we need to be sure these are even still available, there is good chance factory discontinued these for QBZ production

Another thing to keep in mind is the current economy. Its quite expensive to live right now. I do agree with everyone that giving the QBU 88 a second chance would be a good idea, however, right now I have a hard time seeing people dropping 6-8K on a rifle. Regardless if it’s chinese or not. Not because they don’t want it, but rather the rising cost of living combined with continuous poor government policy (both economic and in general) have lots of people counting their pennies, or at least nickles for that matter. That said I may be completely wrong, but it’s never a bad idea to error on the side of caution.

 

[Tactical Imports]

Word from factory is that these are out of production, tooling scrapped. They looked for inventory, but only 5.8 available, and those aren't exportable. They'll keep looking but not likely unfortunately.

 

[b-wingpilot]

Word from factory is that these are out of production, tooling scrapped. They looked for inventory, but only 5.8 available, and those aren't exportable. They'll keep looking but not likely unfortunately.

Any chance to just leave the barrels in country, import the rest, and then put a 6.8spc barrel on in Canada? Or is nothing 5.8 leave China?

 

[Dynas]

Word from factory is that these are out of production, tooling scrapped. They looked for inventory, but only 5.8 available, and those aren't exportable. They'll keep looking but not likely unfortunately.

I’m cool with 5.8 rifles without the barrel or rebarreled to another caliber. I'd buy it without the barrel cuz with the experience we have with the type 97s I'm sure the gunsmiths we have here we can do something by taking an existing barrel blank.

I’m a collector so the specific caliber matters less to me than the rifle.

 

[FARMHANDYO]

Word from factory is that these are out of production, tooling scrapped. They looked for inventory, but only 5.8 available, and those aren't exportable. They'll keep looking but not likely unfortunately.

It would be nice if Nornico had some more suggestions for firearms to import. There are so many firearms used by the military over there. Like the CS/LR4, QBS-07 and QCW-05. I think they would sell better than the various Turkish firearms that are being imported currently.

 

[Teppo87]

It would be nice if Nornico had some more suggestions for firearms to import. There are so many firearms used by the military over there. Like the CS/LR4, QBS-07 and QCW-05. I think they would sell better than the various Turkish firearms that are being imported currently.

Agreed. I'd love to see a non-restricted, semi-auto, Glock mag, PCC version of the Chinese JS9 bullpup SMG. See attached photo.

 

[FARMHANDYO]

Agreed. I'd love to see a non-restricted, semi-auto, Glock mag, PCC version of the Chinese JS9 bullpup SMG. See attached photo.

TI has told me that Norinco has no intention of making a closed bolt version of that sub machine gun. But I mean from an engineering perspective it is not very hard to make that a closed bolt. Very little RND on Norincos part. Norinco could also make it glock magazine compatible if an importer showed true interest here.

It would sell so well having a bullpup sub gun in the Canadian Market. I don’t run TI and I have no idea why Canadian companies would rather sell boring Turkish shotguns and rifles. The next company that gets on importing these interesting firearms will be the next big hit in the Canadian market. Just my two cents.

 

[Teppo87]

TI has told me that Norinco has no intention of making a closed bolt version of that sub machine gun. But I mean from an engineering perspective it is not very hard to make that a closed bolt. Very little RND on Norincos part. Norinco could also make it glock magazine compatible if an importer showed true interest here.

It would sell so well having a bullpup sub gun in the Canadian Market. I don’t run TI and I have no idea why Canadian companies would rather sell boring Turkish shotguns and rifles. The next company that gets on importing these interesting firearms will be the next big hit in the Canadian market. Just my two cents.

CGN user HawkWei photoshop'd this concept for such a bullpup NR pcc five years ago. I think it looks awesome and would sell well, but the current law banning new semi-auto designs with magazine capacities greater than 5 rounds from entering the country would need to be overturned first:

 

[Vewdu]

If we could to do, it would be special order yes. We're honestly not convinced there's more then a few vocal collectors willing to drop B&T money on Chinese rifles, and don't want to be stuck with a ton of inventory we couldn't move. But we're getting ahead of ourselves here, we need to be sure these are even still available, there is good chance factory discontinued these for QBZ production

And you're 100% right. Most people have a hard time swallowing the $1200 price tag of the T81 let alone asking B&T/High end money for chinese guns. Cool in thought, but waste of resources in reality.

 

[Coffice]

Once again for nearly a decade now, 5.56 T-81 would be the play to make fellas.

I’ve never been answered as to whether this could be done or was coming but I still hold up hope.

 

[FARMHANDYO]

CGN user HawkWei photoshop'd this concept for such a bullpup NR pcc five years ago. I think it looks awesome and would sell well, but the current law banning new semi-auto designs with magazine capacities greater than 5 rounds from entering the country would need to be overturned first:

What a shame that is such a cool looking rifle. Should of been imported long ago

 

[Dynas]

CGN user HawkWei photoshop'd this concept for such a bullpup NR pcc five years ago. I think it looks awesome and would sell well, but the current law banning new semi-auto designs with magazine capacities greater than 5 rounds from entering the country would need to be overturned first:

This is a very cool piece of concept art. Unfortunate that norinco won’t make it. Alas, if only.

Chinese guns are one of the only things we can get that the americans can’t due to an import ban stateside so if this was a reality i can imagine how jealous (for once) our southern neighbours will be.

 

[Blastattack]

This was 2021. It would seem at least two people would pay 10K for one.

https://www.icollector.com/NORINCO-TYPE-97-QBU-88-IN-5-56_i41184928