The rifle's designation "QBZ" stands for "'light weapon' (Qīng Wǔqì)—'rifle' (Bùqiāng)—'automatic' (Zìdòng)",[2] in keeping with the coding standards of the Chinese defense industry.

The first formal public display of the improved version was with the Hong Kong Garrison, the first unit to receive the original QBZ-95, in a military parade in July 2012.

Unlike previous DBP87 and DBP85 5.8×42mm rounds, it fires better-quality DBP10 ammunition with non-corrosive primers, clean-burning propellant, and copper-coated steel casings with copper-alloy-jacketed hardened steel-cored bullets.

The rifle uses polymer materials in its construction, fires a 5.8×42mm small-caliber, high-velocity bullet (in a class with the NATO standard 5.56×45mm SS109 and the Russian 5.45×39mm), and employs a bullpup configuration similar to the British SA80, French FAMAS, Austrian Steyr AUG, South African Vektor CR-21, Israeli Tavor and the Singaporean SAR-21.

It has been shown in televised tests that the weapon can continue to function after being immersed in water,[14] as well as other harsh environmental conditions.

The PLA claims their cartridge outperforms both with flatter trajectories, and higher retention of velocities and energy downrange.

[13] The aim was to develop an assault rifle based around the 5.8×42mm round, with specifications of being accurate and reliable.

[20] Some experts are concerned over the awkward position of the safety lever near the end of the rifle away from the shooter's hand.

[22][23] Soldiers can mount optical sights for their rifles, due to a dovetail rail built into the carrying handle.

[8] The carrying handle can be mounted with a short picatinny rail, as well as be swapped to new upper receiver with customization capabilities.

The ACP Peak series by Lee has a flat-top rail system while "Long Bow" (Chinese: 长弓) modifications from Wang Jie retain the shape of the carrying handle.

[28] Due to issues associated with the original design, the PLA began a program to improve the Type 95.

Lead designer Duo Yingxian (朵英贤), now retired, stated that the project was currently in progress by some of his students.

Its shorter barrel prevents a grenade launcher or bayonet from being attached, and it has an AKS-74U style muzzle booster.

The designation "QJB" stands for "Qingwuqi, Jiqiang, Banyong", which means 'light weapon/small arm, machine gun, squad-use'.

As using the heavy rounds in a QBZ-95 would greatly wear the barrel in action, normal cartridges are used in QBZ-95 rifles.

The official distributor of the QBZ-97B assault carbine on the international market, Jianshe Industries (Group) Corporation, advertises and sells it under the denomination "5.56mm short automatic rifle Type NQZ03B (97)".

The new QBZ-95-1, also called the QBZ-95 "Gai" ("改"; literally: 'modified'), addresses several reliability and ease-of-use issues, and has improved ergonomics.

The "1" variant has an altered butt stock, trigger guard, and a repositioned thumb fire selector switch above the pistol grip.

In addition, cartridge casings eject to the front (1 o'clock position from the barrel) of the weapon, allowing left-handed firing.

[39][40] Type 97A carbines became available in Canada in 2008, were classified as "non-restricted" by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and sold to the general public.

In January 2009, a shipment of Type 97 firearms was approved by the RCMP for retail sale, but was later confiscated and seized by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers.

[42] Canadian Type-97 owners initiated a reference hearing, to establish legality of re-classification of the Type-97 semi-automatic weapon to "prohibited" status.

[citation needed] While the exact details of the modification are kept secret, RCMP firearm technicians allegedly demonstrated to an expert on the defense side that the Type-97 firearm can be readily and easily converted to fully automatic mode of operation in short time and with commonly available tools.

[45][46] Enhanced variants with a Picatinny rail replacing the top carrying handle (so called "flat-top") have been built in both Canada and China.

12-gauge shotgun with a similar mechanism of action and outer resemblance, features a gas switch for heavy and light loads.