The Fujian Qingliu Airgun Company Ltd (QL Airgun for short) is a major Chinese airgun manufacturer that most of us have never heard of. That’s because it uses an “OEM” business model. In other words, it specializes in developing and manufacturing airguns that are sold by other companies around the world.
So it’s quite possible that you own, shoot and enjoy at least one of their products without ever knowing it! I have not covered them for Hard Air Magazine before as they are not (to my knowledge) exhibitors at either the SHOT show or IWA OutdoorClassics.
The company is located in Fujian Province, Southeast China, approximately half way between Shangai and Hong Kong. And it is by no means a small operation, as we will see in this HAM report…
Fujian Qingliu Airgun Company Ltd – History
QL airgun was founded in 1974 as state-owned enterprise. In 1989, state-owned enterprises were transformed into collective enterprises (it became part of the Qingliu County Second Light Industry Bureau).
Then it restructured and was established as the Fujian Qingliu Air Gun Co., Ltd – an individual proprietorship company – in 2009. That remains the company we see today.
Very importantly, QL Airgun holds the coveted “Civil Gun (Ammunition) Manufacturing License” issued by China’s Ministry of Public Security. That means it is a qualified, legitimate manufacturer of civilian firearms and ammunition in China.
In fact, Fujian Qingliu Air Gun Company Ltd was one of the first batch of gun factories to receive this license. No Chinese company can manufacture airguns without this level of official approval.
In 2009, the company achieved ISO9001 accreditation. This is the internationally recognized standard for Quality Management Systems. Implementing ISO 9001 helps organizations streamline operations, reduce errors, and scale their businesses efficiently.
ISO 9001 certification is often a prerequisite for winning government tenders, securing supply chain contracts, and building long-term confidence with international partners. It proves that QL Airgun is serious about all aspects of quality!
Fujian Qingliu Airgun Company Ltd – Background
Located at 88 South Industrial Zone, Qingliu County, Sanming City, QL Airgun is situated in a park of more than 100 acres. The plant area itself covers more than 70,000 square meters. That’s over 750,000 square Feet.
US readers will be interested in this comparison. A large Walmart Supercenter that includes food sales averages somewhat less than 200,000 Square Feet. So QL Airgun is well over the size of three Walmart Supercenters back-to-back – WOW!
In addition to airguns, the company also manufactures firearms and airsoft guns, too.
As we can see from the photographs, the factory buildings are modern and there’s a large number of CNC machines in use for production.
Fujian Qingliu Airgun Company Ltd – Capabilities
With an engineering technical team of 65 persons and total staff of 500, QL Airgun is one of the largest gun manufacturers in China. It has more than 50 invention and utility patents.
The company has a professional R & D and production technical team There’s also a large amount of automated, intelligent advanced manufacturing equipment.
In-house production capabilities include mold making and plastic injection. Also present are many high-tech 5-axis CNC machines, cylindrical and compound CNC lathes.
There’s more automatic lathes, a wood stock production line, stamping, screw, spring and die casting capabilities. Over 99% of parts are manufactured in-house, QL Airguns says.
Electrophoresis, baking and spraying finish systems are installed. And – of course – there’s, assembly, packaging, etc.,
This is a LARGE-scale airgun factory!
Fujian Qingliu Airgun Company Ltd – Business Size
QL Airgun is not shy about its financials.
It claims a total investment of about 350 million yuan (well over $50 Million US). Annual sales are about $50 million – all for export.
The company says they manufacture around one Million airguns a year, of more than 200 models. There’s PCPs, break barrels and more. Plus pellets. That’s impressive!
Beyond that, QL Airgun supported the major “Fujian Qingliu Kaiyuan Shooting Training Range” project. That finished construction in 2022, covering an area of 150 acres, with the aim for Qingliu to become a national “shooting capital, city of Champions”, “sports and culture, tourism” demonstration site.
In 2024, a five-star hotel with 300 guest rooms, was added. The whole project is promoting the development of the Qingliu region with knock-on benefits including trade, sports and tourism.
Plus, in 2025, QL Airgun invested in the construction of an international-standard archery competition venue and hosted the Chinese National Archery Shooting Championships.
This is more than just a simple manufacturing operation…
You can find out more at the Fujian Qingliu Airgun Company Ltd website. Fujian Qingliu airgun factory Co., Ltd..
The QL Airgun story shows that the airgun industry is larger and more nuanced than is often thought. The biggest players in the industry are not always the ones that are the best known!
Interesting, huh?
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