Basically everything you would need for a designated marksman Christmas tree, but that's way overkill. The excellent performing new optical scope is only around 500 usd.
QBZ-191 service rifle family
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
So, realistically and export qbz-191 would likely be offered plain, with the optic as a option. I don't know how much profit China skims off international sales, but let's say it remains mostly the same due to political and economic dealings and considerations.
2000-2500$ with the scope included would be a bit pricier than a kitted m4a1, but still would be more accessible than fancy western space weapons, or an hk416.
Would probably be good for special forces or elite police, as they are the ones getting fancier stuff.
There is nothing special about the QBZ 191 to even justifiy a $1,200 price tag. And that price is already pushing it. I am expecting the original high cost was due to the small initial yields but right now, I estimate in the $700-$900 USD range.
To compare with the AR-15, within the $1,500 range here, I can buy a Daniel Defense AR or a Geissele, both of which are top-of-the-line premium and are used by special forces and multiple 3-letter organizations here.
HK416 are not sold to the civilian markets here, but they do sell a civilian version of the rifle. The germans don't make that much of them either, and they know they have a high quality product, so they can mark up the prices to $4,000+ if they want.
It's funny how guns also reflect industrial image and strategies of their respective countries.
Europeans focus on a small production of high cost expensive gizmos that are marketed as the highest quality you can buy, like swiss watches.
Chinese focus on volume, and the guns and optics are not top notch, but in practice are good enough and are set on a cost effective price point.