Hand grenade launchers are widely used in police and counter-terrorism operations, military operations, and peacekeeping missions. With this weapon, the enemy can cause significant damage comparable to the action of an automatic easel grenade launcher and even a mortar. In this case, the mass and dimensions of portable weapons are much smaller, which increases the mobility of the shooter.
The GM-94 grenade launcher was developed taking into account all modern requirements for this type of weapon. He successfully passed the tests and was put into service with some units of the RF Armed Forces (since 2007) and the FSB (since 2008).
Manufacturer
The glory of the Tula Instrument-Making Plant speaks for itself. Many weapons samples came off the assembly lines of this enterprise, which the country can rightfully be proud of.
The pump-launched grenade launcher was introduced in 1994, which was reflected in its name. Another development of the same enterprise was taken as a basis - the Rys pump action shotgun.
The developers had the following tasks:
- minimization of unmasking effects;
- reduction of conditionally safe distance for the shooter, the ability to use in close combat;
- increase in speed;
- increasing accuracy;
- Improving mobile features.
Analysis of the characteristics of the GM-94 grenade launcher allows us to conclude that the Tula gunsmiths coped with the task. The weapon was designed so that the shooter could lead him to battle in two seconds. And an impressive list of developed ammunition expands the range of applications of a grenade launcher to solve all kinds of problems.
Characteristics
The GM-94 is not much heavier than a conventional machine gun. Its mass is 4.5 kg. The length of the arms with folded shoulder rest is 540 mm. For the convenience of firing, the shooter can easily decompose the butt, which will increase stability, and therefore accuracy, which is especially important in close combat.
Not only right-handed people could appreciate the benefits of this weapon. The grenade launcher is designed in such a way that a lefty could fire.
Sighting range - 300 m, maximum operating efficiency - 600 m.
The store contains 3 grenades. The weight of equipped weapons depends on the type of ammunition used.
Purpose GM-94
The grenade launcher is designed to defeat manpower, vehicles, dugouts and lightly armored enemy vehicles. It is impossible to destroy the building with grenades, but they have a huge stopping effect: they can cause confusion, stun, inflict shrapnel wounds, and in some cases burns.
This weapon is effective when working on the streets, including narrow ones, in basements, in attics, in rooms. If ammunition enters the passenger compartment of a car or a minibus, both the vehicle itself and the manpower inside it will receive damage.
Ammunition
Several types of ammunition have been developed for a store grenade launcher. Along with fragmentation, thermobaric and smoke grenades are used. The caliber of the projectile is 43 mm, which is slightly larger than that of the more common and lightweight, but single-shot “grenade launcher” - grenade launcher GP-25 “Bonfire”.
Currently, the most common types of grenades are:
- VGM 93.100 - thermobar, the radius of destruction of which is 3 m from the place of detonation. The maximum specific gravity of the explosive is used, which creates excessive pressure. The case is plastic, there are no fragments. The power of the blast wave is so great that a grenade can pierce armor up to 8 mm, destroy a wooden fortification, a thin brick wall. Conditionally safe distance for the shooter is 5 m.
- VGM 93.200, VGM 93.300 - non-fragmentation type grenades with irritating effect. After the explosion, unbearable conditions are created in a limited space, forcing the enemy to leave his position. The action extends to an area of up to 100 m 3 in open space and up to 300 m 3 in a closed room.
- VGM 93.400 - shock-shock ammunition that neutralizes the enemy, but does not pose a danger to his life and health.
- VGM 93.700 - training grenades that can be used to develop the practical skills of a grenade launcher in any conditions.
Device and principle of operation
The grenade launcher GM-94 is located above the barrel. Ammunition is completed by moving the forearm forward. The pump-action principle allowed to abandon the longitudinally-sliding shutter. As a result, the developers managed to reduce the mass and dimensions of the weapon. The spent sleeve is fed down. The trigger mechanism is self-cocking.
According to professionals, the GM-94 is easy to use and reliable. With proper care, proper storage and regular cleaning, the weapon is simply fail-safe.
GM-94 in popular culture
This weapon is the subject of close study of professional security officials. Lovers of paramilitary themes, not related to power structures, also draw attention to it. The GM-94 grenade launcher appeared in several computer games: Affected Zone Tactics, Alpha: Antiterror, Far Cry (3 and 4), STALKER, Watch Dogs.