Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1000484
Where whole idea for revolver grenade launcher came from and what are advantages in comparison to single shot regardless it is under barrel or standalone version? Concept was born in RSA where army was looking for weapons to significantly increase infantry fire team firepower. In which part revolver launcher is superior to single sho- oter? Firstly, weapon of that type offer greater fire rate – six round cylinder can be fired and reloaded within 30 second (yet, experienced shooter can fire six rounds in just three seconds), that time can never be achieved by stand-alone or under-barrel grenade launcher like M203 or M320/HK69 because of the way they are build. Those require before every shot to open the breech, taking out spare case and loading new 40 Mike-Mike. Firepower and intensity revolver-style grenade i incomparably higher and allow in short time to lay down more rounds from greater distance and with better accuracy. Secondly, grenade launchers can be used for providing direct and indirect fire. Thirdly, the allow to use wide spectrum of ammunition and in case of newest constructions use of ammunition with low and medium velocity that has bet- ter, even twice as much, maximum range than older un- der barrel launchers. Off course disadvantages are much bigger, overall size that influence handling (soldier has to carry also some type of rifle) and weight. Despite those di- sadvantages revolver grenade launchers are great add-on to weaponry of infantry fire team and greatly increases its firepower. First successful revolver grenade launcher that was widely used was developed on the order of RSA Armed Forces Armscor MGL-40, that SADF included into arse- nal in 1985. It is good to know that also in Poland were conducted studies on such type of weapons, that born grenade launcher ZM Tarnów RGP-40 recently bought by Police. Hero of that article, AV-140 MSGL is export version of M32A1 grenade launcher that is rightfully owned by American government. M32A1 is the newest, short bar- rel version of introduced in 2005 by Marine Corps, that is unlicensed copy of Milkor 1L grenade launcher offered as MGL-140, produced from the moment when original South African patent is no longer valid. USMC successfully was using M32 launchers in Iraq and Afghanistan, especial- ly during urban operations where they proof their use- fulness. M32A1 grenade launchers were introduced to SSOCOM as Mk 14 Mod 0. It has to be noticed that Milkor USA and Milkor (Pty) from RSA except name have nothing in common and AV-140 and M32A1 are manufactured from top to bottom in USA. AV-140 MSGL is semi-automatic weapon powered by cy- linder magazine that has capacity of six rounds. Main ele- ment of the weapon is steel frame with attached cylinder magazine. Inlets of chamber in the cylinder are secured with cover that twists to the right with attached poly- mer pistol grip, striking-firing mechanism and buttstock placed on a tube. AV-140 was equipped with polymer Vltor IMOD Clubfoot stock with massive rubber pad that smother recoil, place for QD weapon sling mount and two tightly secured compartments for spare AA or CR123 bat- teries. It's wort to mention that Vltor Weapon System that produces firearms and wide range of accessories is now owned by Abrams Airborne Manufacturing. www.fragoutmag.com