Norinco JW-103
| Industry | Defense, firearms manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1950s |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Firearms, including the Norinco JW-103 rifle |
The Norinco JW-103 'Bush Ranger' is a centrefire bolt-action rifle designed for hunting, produced and exported by China North Industries Corporation. This firearm is manufactured by Norinco's subsidiary, Zhongzhou Machine Works, and is aimed at the global hunting market.
Overview
Part of Norinco's 'Jian Wei' () series of sporting rifles, which originated in 1955, the JW-103 was developed beginning in 1993 to meet international demand. Its design was completed and production initiated by the end of 1995. The rifle's design derives from the Norinco JW-9/15 series, itself a simplified Chinese adaptation of the Czech CZ 452 Model 2 rimfire rifle.
The JW-103 is built using forged and milled steel parts and features a heavy barrel finished with bluing. It fires Russian-manufactured 7.62×39mm cartridges from a detachable single-column box magazine holding five rounds. The receiver is prepared with drilled and tapped holes compatible with Weaver-style scope mounts, allowing for easy attachment of optics.
In contrast to the JW-15, the JW-103 incorporates a three-position user-adjustable trigger mechanism that allows modification of trigger pull weight, take-up, and break—features commonly found on higher-end rifles. Unlike the JW-105, which includes front and rear iron sights mounted on the barrel, the JW-103 does not have iron sights installed. Both models are distributed internationally in countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and New Zealand, occasionally branded under "Bisley Small Arms."
Despite some confusion, the bolt mechanism of the JW-103/105 does not utilize a Mauser-style front-locking bolt as seen in earlier versions like the JW-101. Instead, its bolt design is an enlarged version of that used on the rimfire JW-15, featuring rear-locking lugs connected directly to the bolt handle to ensure dependable cycling.
Variants
The only variant of the JW-103 is the Norinco JW-105, chambered for .223 Remington ammunition and also known as the 'Bush Ranger'. Slightly larger and heavier than the JW-103, it includes open iron sights while maintaining otherwise identical specifications. Initiated in 1999 to cater to overseas markets favoring .223 Remington cartridges, its design received approval in March 2001 with production starting shortly thereafter. Both rifles in this series are promoted as lightweight, dependable hunting firearms offered at competitive prices compared to similar models. It is important to note that the JW-103/105 series bears no relation to the Norinco JW-101—a limited-production rifle modeled after the Zastava M48 bolt-action design chambered in 7.62x39mm featuring a fixed four-round magazine and Kar98k-style furniture.