Originally Posted by Bracketman (Post 1667523)

I own a KBU-97A (Type 97A 5.56mm Sniper Rifle, QBU-88 export version). The scope was what made the shipment into the country take a few extra months (as in five) as they had to track some down, on top of the PLA's priority over exports for QBU-88's. PLA & law enforcement in China are now adopting a new mount for the QBU-88, but at present, they have no interest in selling to foreigners. Due to the lack of scopes in service, China is now purchasing a few Khales and S&B's to go along with the new mount, but primarily for police use.

Regardless, airsoft is of the lowest concern for Norinco -- especially for a gun still being produced (QBU-88) -- so unless they start selling a special scope mount (which is actually my interest), then I don't think we'll see the airsoft version of the KBU-97A come into full-scale production.

The SVD PSO-1 4x scope made by Real Sword will not fit onto the QBU-88/KBU-97A, as they are completely different mounting devices. The other problem is they sell that scope for $250USD. Thus, the Type 88's FFP illuminated 3-9 x 40 would be (approx.) $500, and would jack the price of the unit up considerably.

I often wonder when Real Sword brings the KBU-97A to the trade shows if it is in fact an airsoft gun, or a real gun. After four years, no one has seen the internals yet.. not even the magazine out of the gun...

Originally Posted by Bracketman (Post 1667523)

I own a KBU-97A (Type 97A 5.56mm Sniper Rifle, QBU-88 export version). The scope was what made the shipment into the country take a few extra months (as in five) as they had to track some down, on top of the PLA's priority over exports for QBU-88's. PLA & law enforcement in China are now adopting a new mount for the QBU-88, but at present, they have no interest in selling to foreigners. Due to the lack of scopes in service, China is now purchasing a few Khales and S&B's to go along with the new mount, but primarily for police use.

Regardless, airsoft is of the lowest concern for Norinco -- especially for a gun still being produced (QBU-88) -- so unless they start selling a special scope mount (which is actually my interest), then I don't think we'll see the airsoft version of the KBU-97A come into full-scale production.

The SVD PSO-1 4x scope made by Real Sword will not fit onto the QBU-88/KBU-97A, as they are completely different mounting devices. The other problem is they sell that scope for $250USD. Thus, the Type 88's FFP illuminated 3-9 x 40 would be (approx.) $500, and would jack the price of the unit up considerably.

I often wonder when Real Sword brings the KBU-97A to the trade shows if it is in fact an airsoft gun, or a real gun. After four years, no one has seen the internals yet.. not even the magazine out of the gun...

Originally Posted by Cifyra (Post 1667704)

Say, can the KBU97A take STANAG mags?

Originally Posted by Najohn (Post 1667723)

The QBU-88 is also available in 5.56x45mm for export sales as the KBU-97A.

Originally Posted by Cifyra (Post 1667727)

I know that, but some guy said KBU-97A can't take Stanag mags and wikipedia is wrong. I just want to ask someone who actually has a KBU97A to verify.

Originally Posted by Bracketman (Post 1667842)

You're quoting me from Gun Nutz forum, and the person that quoted the Wikipedia article retracted his/her statement. However, the actual argument was about the KBU-97A being part of the (in limbo/prohibited) Type 97's -- of which the QBU-88/KBU-97A are built from the ground up as precision, semi-automatic rifles -- without any being produced in select-fire operation.

Yes, the Wikipedia article was wrong -- KBU-97A cannot take Stanag magazines unless heavily modified. I fixed the article some time back. Someone else wrote on Wiki that the QBU-88 magazines are different from the KBU-97A's, however, I cannot confirm this.

Like the Stanag's, LAR-15's won't work either.