There are 37mm, multi-shot anti-riot grenade launchers, but this isn't one of them. It fires the same 40mm low velocity (40 x 46mm), spin-stabilized grenades of the M203/M79 and other NATO underslung and individual launchers. One Marine said he would like to use it with buckshot rounds. HEDP (high explosive, dual purpose) is the standard load, these days, but the 40mm is a multipurpose weapon, like the shotgun, capable of firing pyrotechnic (smoke and illumination) and less-lethal ammunition (CS, "sponge" or "beanbag" rounds). And at that rate of fire- ouch. CS gas is permitted depending on established rules of engagement. Right now, the Marine infantry battalions are fielding them as an experimental weapon, and they're considering the possibilities of returning to a dedicated grenadier within a fire-team, back when he had a sidearm and an M79 "blooper," instead of an M16 with an underslung M203.Mad Max wrote:I think it's more of a crowd control thing. Stick some tear gas grenades in it to disperse people... assuming they can do that under Geneva. Thinking about it I don't think they can, tear gas is on the "not to be used" list like rubber bullets and water cannons. Good how civilian forces can use them though eh and the military is stuck to the more "humaine" HE-FRAG?
It is interesting to note that the M79 is still being used over in Iraq for standoff disruption of suspected roadside IEDs and other tasks.
