CS/LS6

Lore & Background

The CF-05 was a private project of senior designer Qing Shangsheng, initiated between 1993 and 1994, and not brought to the attention of his factory manager until 1996. Early prototypes were built to compete in the People's Liberation Army's 5.8mm suppressed submachine gun project and featured a secondary feed option with a pistol magazine in the grip alongside the helical magazine at the rear. The rear-feed design was changed during testing due to ergonomic inconvenience and aesthetic concerns, and Changfeng's bid lost to Jianshe Corporation's QCW-05 in 2001.

After the loss, Changfeng prioritized export sales and developed a 9mm version, initially called QC-9. The second prototype moved the helical cylinder to the top and added a telescoping stock; the third improved the stock. The secondary feed option was abandoned due to potential malfunctions from human error. The final prototype, dropping the secondary feed, was reviewed in March 2004 and finalized in May 2005, receiving the internal designation CF-05. Export efforts in 2006 led to the production designation CS/LS06, marketed by Norinco.

The CS/LS6 feeds from a 50-round helical magazine on top of the polymer receiver, with a collapsible stock and a threaded barrel for a suppressor. The latest model features modified polymer furniture, a front pistol grip with a different angle, a modified trigger guard, a different stock design, and pictographic selector markings. Although externally similar to the Calico M950, its feed system is entirely new due to its rear-feed design lineage.

Reader's Guide

The CS/LS6 represents a notable attempt by a Chinese state-owned enterprise to develop a submachine gun for both domestic military and export markets. Its development history reflects a shift from a failed domestic competition to a commercially oriented product, with the design evolving from a complex dual-feed system to a simpler top-mounted helical magazine. The weapon's adoption by police and armed police in China, along with significant export sales to Myanmar (100,000 units) and use by police in Uganda and special forces in Venezuela, demonstrates its reach beyond its original intended market. The helical magazine, while reminiscent of the Calico M950, is a distinct design derived from the weapon's rear-feed lineage, offering a high capacity in a compact form. The CS/LS6's legacy is tied to its designer Qing Shangsheng, who also designed the QSZ-92 pistol, and its role as an export-oriented alternative to the PLA's QCW-05.

Did You Know?

• Early prototypes had a secondary feed option with a pistol magazine in the grip, which was later abandoned.
• The helical magazine was moved from the rear to the top of the weapon during development.
• Myanmar purchased 100,000 units of the CS/LS6.