View source for T91 assault rifle

{{Short description|Rifle}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = T91
| image = T91 Assault Rifle.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = The T91CQC carbine.  Note the forend with integrated rails and the shorter barrel compared to the standard variant.
| origin = {{flagicon|Taiwan}} [[Republic of China ]]
| type = [[Assault rifle]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = Yes
<!-- Service history -->| service = 2003–present
| used_by = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
| wars = <!-- Production history -->
| designer = 
| design_date = 2002
| manufacturer = [[205th Arsenal]]
| production_date = 2003–present
|unit_cost= 600USD(2003)
| number = 300,000+
| variants = <!-- General specifications -->
| weight = {{convert|3.17|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|880|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (stock extended)<br />{{convert|800|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (stock retracted) (Standard Rifle)
| part_length = {{convert|406|mm|in|abbr=on}} (Standard Rifle)<br />
{{convert|349|mm|in|abbr=on}} (CQC Carbine)
| width = 
| height = 
| diameter = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge = [[5.56×45mm NATO]]
| action = [[Gas-operated reloading|Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]]
| rate = 800-850 rpm
| velocity = 975 m/s (Standard Rifle)<br />840 m/s (CQC Carbine)
| range = 400m<br />600m (with optics)
| feed = Various [[STANAG magazine]]s.
| sights = M16A2-style sights with windage and elevation adjustments<br>[[Picatinny rail]] can be used for mounting various optical sights
}}

The '''T91''' ({{lang-zh|t=聯勤5.56公釐T91戰鬥步槍}}) is a [[Gas-operated reloading|gas-operated]], [[Magazine (firearms)|magazine]]-fed, [[assault rifle]] chambered for the [[5.56×45mm NATO]] [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]]. It is designed and produced by the [[205th Armory]] of National Defense in the [[Taiwan|Republic of China (Taiwan)]]. 

Based on the [[T86 assault rifle|T86]] assault rifle, the rifle inherits the same [[gas operated|short-stroke gas system]] and maintains the controls and ergonomics similar that to of a [[M16 rifle|M16]]. The T91 is 0.14 kg (0.31&nbsp;lb) lighter and 110 mm (4.3&nbsp;in) shorter than the [[T65 assault rifle|T65]] it replaces.

==History==
The T91 was a further development of the [[T86 assault rifle|T86]], which had been intended to replace the [[T65 assault rifle|T65]] series in Taiwanese military service. Experience on the previous design and feedback from various users were incorporated into the T91. Development was completed in 2002, and full volume production commenced in 2003.

The T91 was designed to counter the [[People's Liberation Army]]'s deployment of [[Type 81 assault rifle]] and the [[QBZ-95]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fortier |first1=David |title=Wolf A1 Gas Piston AR-15 Upper Receiver Review |url=https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/wolf-a1-gas-piston-ar15-upper-receiver-review/376784 |website=www.firearmsnews.com |date=29 May 2020 |publisher=Firearms News |access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>

There are rumors that arms dealers had secretly inquired about the possibility of sales to certain militant groups in Southeast Asia, but were reportedly rejected by the [[Ministry of National Defense (Republic of China)|Republic of China Ministry of National Defense]] (MND). The MND neither confirmed nor denied such rumors.<ref>[http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2005/new/jun/13/today-p2.htm 東南亞某國叛軍欲買T91戰鬥步槍被拒絕(A rebel army in Southeast Asia desired to buy T91 but rejected by Republic of China army)] {{in lang|zh-tw}}</ref>

On March 8, 2023, the ROC Marine Corp reported the loss of two T91s from the 99th Marine Brigade's inventory in Kaohsiung.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202303080026 | title=Taiwan's Marine Corps reports two T91 assault rifle actions missing - Focus Taiwan | date=8 March 2023 }}</ref>

===Adoption===
In 2003, the [[Republic of China Army|Taiwanese Army]] ordered 101,162 T91 combat rifles as force-wide replacements of all service rifles, with a delivery schedule from 2004 to 2008.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} The total budget amount was NT$1,803 million (US$54.6 million), placing the unit price at about NT$17,800 (US$539). As of April 2006, nine Taiwanese Army armoured, mechanized infantry, and infantry brigades have fully converted to the T91.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

In 2005, the [[Republic of China Military Police|Taiwanese Military Police]] ordered 12,069 T91 combat rifles to equip garrison units in the Taipei capital region.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} Delivery would span over the next three years.

=== Replacement ===
The [[T112 assault rifle]] is intended to replace the T91.<ref name="Taipei Times" >{{cite web |last1=Che-yu |first1=Wu |last2=Chin |first2=Jonathan |title=Military's new rifle has started mass production |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/04/08/2003816112 |website=taipeitimes.com |publisher=[[Taipei Times]] |access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref>

==Design==
The T91 is a gas-operated short-stroke, air-cooled, rotating bolt, magazine- or drum-fed, select-fire, modularized military rifle compatible with various tactical accessories. Similar to the T86, the T91 is shorter than the T65K2 assault rifle, giving the operator higher mobility and ease of aiming in a confined space.

The T91 has a 4-position selector switch: S – safe, 1 – semi-automatic, 3 – three-round burst, and A – automatic. Like the T65K2, the T91 utilises an M16A2-style front post and rear peephole sight. The rear sight, mounted on the detachable handle, is adjustable for windage and elevation. Operation of the charging handle, magazine release, and bolt release are also the same as the M16. One notable difference is that the T91 does not have a [[forward assist]], and the brass deflector is not as pronounced.

The action of the T91 is based on the T65 series. However, parts are not interchangeable because the bolt lug on the T91 is shorter by {{convert|1|mm|abbr=on}}. The T91 also inherits the modularized gas piston system from the T86, allowing easy removal for maintenance without the risk of losing small parts.

The telescoping stock on the T91 was designed based on the experience of military and police personnel with the M4 Carbine. The resulting product has improved recoil transfer and handling qualities. A rubber recoil pad is also added for comfort. The handguards are triangular in shape.

The T91 has a {{convert|416|mm|in|abbr=on}} barrel with flash suppressor. Rate of rifling twist is {{convert|178|mm|in|abbr=on}}. Due to the use of a shorter barrel, the T91 has 20% more recoil than the T65K2. Average group size at {{convert|175|m|yd}} also increased by {{convert|10|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The chamber and bore are chrome-lined and can fire all standard [[5.56×45mm NATO]] ammunition. Standard-issue 30-round detachable [[box magazine]]s for the T91 feature indicator holes for the top 2-15 rounds as well as two protrusions on each side to avoid over-insertion. However, standard STANAG magazines may also be used.

T91 uppers have also been exported to the United States through [[Wolf Ammunition|Wolf Performance Ammunition]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/10/13/big-3-east-wolf-ammo-bringing-us-type-91-upper/|title=[Big 3 East] Wolf Ammo Is Bringing Us A Type 91 Upper -|date=13 October 2016}}</ref> When it was first released, Wolf was reported to have sold more than a thousand uppers in one day.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chin |first1=Johnathan |title=Thousands of T91 rifles sold in US in one day: report |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/04/23/2003669273 |website=taipeitimes.com |date=23 April 2017 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=5 April 2019}}</ref>

==Accessories==
The T91 has a MIL-STD-1913 [[picatinny rail]] on the top of the receiver, handguard, and the front-sight block. The standard-issue detachable handle can be removed to accommodate a variety of optical sights and scopes. There is also an [[M-LOK]] rail that is issued to some troops in addition to the testing of new options. It can also be equipped with the T85 40&nbsp;mm grenade launcher to serve in a squad-level fire support role.

The [[Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology]] developed a T91 indoor shooting simulator for infantry marksmanship training. This equipment is capable of simulating various weather conditions, shooting distances, and wind states. For training purposes, a [[paintball]] conversion kit is also provided.

Other attachments include [[red dot sight]]s and [[holographic weapon sight]]s.

==Variants==

* T91 assault rifle
* T91CQC: Barrel shortened from {{convert|406|mm|abbr=on}} to {{convert|349|mm|abbr=on}}. Tactical rail and grip added to handguard. 
* T91S: Barrel wall thickened to improve accuracy and extend shooting time. Lightweight handguard with tactical rail added in place of the original. New Magpul stock added.
* T91K1: Heavier barrel added. New handguard with tactical rail is added. UTG front grip bipod added. New Magpul MOE SL stock added. 
* T91K2
* T91K3: The T91K3 features [[polygonal rifling]] which increases barrel life and improves accuracy.<ref name="Taipei Times 2019">{{cite web |last1=Lo Tien-pin and Jonathan Chin |first1=Aaron Tu |title=University's polygonal rifling improves weaponry |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2019/03/26/2003712207 |website=taipeitimes.com |date=26 March 2019 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=28 May 2019}}</ref> The 205th Arsenal and the [[National Defense University (Republic of China)|National Defense University]] are jointly developing a nickel-boron finish for the bolt carriers, which would allow the weapon to fire about 10,500 rounds without any lubrication whatsoever.<ref name="Taipei Times 2019" />

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

*{{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}: 5,000 rifles<ref name="ltn-20080216-p1-3">{{cite news |url=http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2008/new/feb/16/today-p1-3.htm |title=波士尼亞特種部隊採購T91戰鬥步槍 |date=2008-02-16 |author=許紹軒 |publisher=[[自由時報]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413140415/http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2008/new/feb/16/today-p1-3.htm |archive-date=2009-04-13 }}</ref>
*{{flag|Gambia}}: Unknown rifles<ref>{{cite web |title=Gambian army deployed to beat back crime wave |url=https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/gambian-army-deployed-to-beat-back-crime-wave/ |website=www.journalducameroun.com |publisher=Journal du Cameroun |access-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525111034/https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/gambian-army-deployed-to-beat-back-crime-wave/ |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |language=en |date=14 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flag|Haiti}}: 100 rifles<ref>{{cite news |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%94%A1%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E8%A8%AA%E6%B5%B7%E5%9C%B0%E5%8F%97%E8%BB%8D%E7%A6%AE%E6%AD%A1%E8%BF%8E-%E5%AE%89%E5%85%A8%E9%83%A8%E9%9A%8A%E5%90%84%E5%BC%8F%E8%BB%8D%E5%93%81-%E6%AD%A5%E6%A7%8D%E7%9A%86%E5%8F%B0%E7%81%A3%E8%B4%88%E4%BA%88-072139765.html |title=蔡英文訪海地受軍禮歡迎 安全部隊各式軍品、步槍皆台灣贈予 |date=2019-07-18 |author=蘇仲泓 |publisher=[[風傳媒]] |url-status=dead |archive-date=2019-08-22 |access-date=2019-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822185432/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%25E8%2594%25A1%25E8%258B%25B1%25E6%2596%2587%25E8%25A8%25AA%25E6%25B5%25B7%25E5%259C%25B0%25E5%258F%2597%25E8%25BB%258D%25E7%25A6%25AE%25E6%25AD%25A1%25E8%25BF%258E-%25E5%25AE%2589%25E5%2585%25A8%25E9%2583%25A8%25E9%259A%258A%25E5%2590%2584%25E5%25BC%258F%25E8%25BB%258D%25E5%2593%2581-%25E6%25AD%25A5%25E6%25A7%258D%25E7%259A%2586%25E5%258F%25B0%25E7%2581%25A3%25E8%25B4%2588%25E4%25BA%2588-072139765.html }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ettoday.net/news/20190718/1493025.htm|title=贈海地軍警戰鬥個裝槍械 國防部：展現我國防自主實力|date=2019-07-18|author=林銘翰|publisher=ETtoday|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-07-18|access-date=2019-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718082546/https://www.ettoday.net/news/20190718/1493025.htm}}</ref>
*{{flag|India}}: 1000 rifles<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://globerove.com/india/weapons-of-the-indian-army/4367 |title=存档副本 |access-date=2021-02-05 |archive-date=2016-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120221608/http://globerove.com/india/weapons-of-the-indian-army/4367 }}</ref>
*{{flag|Jordan}}: 20,000 rifles<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060218173358/http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2005-06/16/content_3092900.htm 中華民國軍方證實國造T86步槍及T91步槍銷往約旦(T86 & T91 sold to Jordan confirmed by ROC army)]</ref>
*{{flag|Kuwait}}: 18,000 rifles<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_me_kuwait|title=Google Sites}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*{{flag|Taiwan}}: 240,000 rifles{{Citation needed|date=February 2015}}
*{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}: 10,000 rifles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/10/09/2003275057|title=UAE 'given guns' for Chen visit|location=Taiwan|work=Taipei Times|date=2005}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Heckler & Koch HK416]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{commons category|T91 rifle}}

{{Military of the Republic of China}}
{{ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives}}

[[Category:5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles]]
[[Category:Carbines]]
[[Category:Short stroke piston firearms]]
[[Category:Assault rifles of Taiwan]]
[[Category:ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives]]
[[Category:AR-15 style rifles]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2003]]