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Kiss My Asahi
Cerberus
USA
Member Since: |
 Posted - 03/26/2005 : 8:21:57 PM
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With the massive amounts of "What are the perks, expenses, benefits, drawbacks, style points, and drool factors I should look for in a grenade launcher? So...without further ado, I proudly unveil "Chaser's Guide to the Big Bang". I put on the majority of the MAIN ones, and not the ones put on cheap springers, although I included it as a "miscellaneous". I did not include display guns, as I doubt you'd want to put a $50 display launcher on a $300 AEG. If you want 'em, then you know how to find them. For the rest of it, ENJOY!
~Chaser
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Why buy a grenade launcher? Well, seems like everyone loves either the style it has, the weight it adds, or just the raw firepower that only a grenade launcher can bring. However, with the massive amounts of posts regarding "Which should I buy?" "How expensive?" "Why?" "Advantages?" "Drawbacks?"...I'm going to try to post it here, and hope that someone does a search to find this later and save me from developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from repetitively typing this. The guns are organized based on the shells they fire.
Sun Project 40mm Grenade Launcher Shells
CAW M79 "Blooper" (Estimated Price: $320 ABS, $370 Metal)
Advantages and Statistics:
-Stand Alone grenade launcher
-Shotgun style breech loading / Single-Shot
-Plastic body upgradable to full metal/wood version, addition of rifled metal barrel possible with Guarder addition
-Able to fire a large variety of shells from a single foam warhead to a 180bb shower
-38mm end barrel diameter
Disadvantages:
-Large and bulky
-Not weapon mounted so must be slung and/or carried
-Not frequently seen in use after Vietnam, so for realistic modern settings could be viewed as inaccurate depending on uniform kit
-Costly to purchase
-Expensive rounds
Sun Project M203 (Estimated Price: $175 w/o adaptor,$200 w/)
Advantages and Statistics:
-Slide style breech loaded / Single-Shot
-Easy to find
-Can buy 9" or 12" add on barrels
-Underslung to a weapon (usually M16)
-Often available used
-Able to fire a large variety of shells from a single foam warhead to a 180bb shower
-Available in RIS Mount or standard rifle mount
-Adaptable to gas or AEG guns
-Upgrades with real steel or metal barrels available
-38mm end barrel diameter
Disadvantages:
-Plastic Barrel
-Expensive rounds
-Metal upgrades costly
-$40 adaptor to use on AEGs
CAW 6 Grenade Revolver (Estimated Price: $450)
Advantages and Statistics:
-Revolver Style / Six-Shot
-Stand alone system
-Able to fire a large variety of shells from a single foam warhead to a 180bb shower
-Higher rate of fire
-38mm end barrel diameter
Disadvantages:
-Bulky
-Awkward
-Not able to be slung to use as a secondary
-Low Range
-Costly to purchase in the US
-Expensive rounds
Mosquito Molds Mini Launcher (Estimated Price: $170)
Advantages and Statistics:
-Slide style breech load / Single-Shot
-Fantasy design
-Compact
-Look good for short style weapons such as the MP5 without sacrificing the compact design.
-Able to fire a large variety of shells from a single foam warhead to a 180bb shower
-40mm end diameter (no real barrel)
Disadvantages:
-Fantasy design, so may not be respected by at true mil-sim ops.
-Expensive rounds
-Functional design, but not very attractive
-Absense of "drool factor" owned by other grenade launchers
G&P M203 (Estimated Price: $170 12" barrel, $185 9" barrel)
Advantages and Statistics:
-Slide style breech load / Single-Shot
-9" or 12" barrel available stock
-Able to fire a large variety of shells from a single foam warhead to a 180bb shower
-Available in RIS Mount or standard rifle mount
-Metal Barrel with straight rifling
-38mm end barrel diameter
-Cheaper than Sun Project, and designed for use on AEGs
Disadvantages:
-Straight rifling not accurate to real steel
-Not available for non-RIS equipped weapons systems
-Unable to change barrel with Guarder system
-Expensive rounds
-System may not interchange with classic rifles
Smokey's AG-36 Grenade Launcher (Estimated Price: $250)
Advantages and Statistics:
-Lateral opening breech loaded / Single-Shot
-RIS Only
-9 or 11 inch barrel
-Underslung to a weapon (usually G36, M16A2, or CAR-15)
-Able to fire a large variety of shells from a single foam warhead to a 180bb shower
-Adaptable to gas or AEG guns
-Alternative to M203
-38mm end barrel diameter
Disadvantages:
-Plastic Barrel
-Expensive rounds
-Metal upgrades unavailable
STAR GP-30 Grenade Launcher (Estimated Price: $250)
Advantages and Statistics:
-Muzzle-load / Single-Shot
-Compact
-Underslung to a weapon (usually an AK variant)
-Able to fire a large variety of shells from a single foam warhead to a 180bb shower
-40mm end diameter (no real barrel)
-Attached leaf sight for aiming
-Alternative to M203
-Able to be removed (leaving both mount points on) quickly
Disadvantages:
-Grenade not held securely, causing clanking against side of launcher when jarred
-Mount requires a fair amount of disassembly for the AK's front end
-Expensive rounds
**ADD-ON COURTESY OF HOWARD SOHN**
ACTY Pistol Grenade Launcher (Estimated price: $100).
Advantages and Statistics:
-Shotgun style breech loading / Single-Shot
-Able to fire a large variety of shells from a single foam warhead to a 180bb shower
-Compact and lightweight
-Trigger actuated firing mechanism with latch type safety
-Design that works well with SMG/carbine type guns.
-Very short barrel (40mm opening)
-Rarity factor
Disadvantages:
-No real-steel counter part
-Expensive rounds
-Very limited availability
Tokyo Marui Shotgun Shell Type
Tokyo Marui M203 (Estimated Price: $175)
Advantages and Statistics:
-M203 Standard and RIS
-Shotgun style side load / Ten-Shot
-Shells are cheaper to use, easier to maintain
-Three barrels, 6mm diameter opening each
Disadvantages:
-End is filled in with only three 6mm openings, leaving an unrealistic front picture of an M203
-Three shots per fire, total of 10 fires before reloading
-Stresses put on barrel of non upgraded guns may weaken front end
-When reloading, does not load like a traditional M203. Only foregrip slides forward
-Cannot add a metal body
Tokyo Marui Tactical Launcher (Estimated Price: $160)
Advantages and Statistics:
-Stand Alone Grenade Launcher
-Shotgun style, side load / Ten-Shot
-Shells are cheaper to use, easier to maintain
-Top Mounted Rail for add-ons
-Three barrels, 6mm diameter opening each
Disadvantages:
-End is filled in with only three 6mm openings, leaving an unrealistic front picture of the gun
-Three shots per fire, total of 10 fires before reloading
-When reloading, does not load like a traditional Tactical Master.
-Cannot add a metal body
Other Style Grenade Launchers
ToyTec M203 (Estimated Price: $200)
Advantages and Statistics:
-Underslung to a weapon
-Single barrel / 500 rd full auto
-One barrel, 6mm opening at end
-Second gas gun
-No additional shells required
Disadvantages:
-Single 6mm barrel opening is not realistic looking at all
-External air, turning it into a second gas gun
-Non-upgradable
-Hard to find weapons or replacement parts
-Requires air line splitting
Miscellaneous Non-Firing/Display M203s
Advantages and Statistics:
-Display only
-Some have moving breech for added realism
-Great for springer guns
Disadvantages:
-No metal parts available
-Most are quite obviously fake, and not of the build quality
-Look decent on guns, but serve no real function
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SHELLS
Rather than list every shell known to man, I will list only price ranges, and a little bit about each shell.
40mm Grenade (Estimated Price: $50-100 per shell)
-Makers: Mosquito Molds, Classic Army, First Factory, Deepfire, ANGS, King Arms, GB Tech
-Shell Capacity: 14-165, depending on shell. Some also make foam warheads.
-These shells are reusable, but typically have problems with blowing out O-Rings, or ball bearings falling out upon disassembly of the shell after 5-10 shots.
-These guns often have the strongest "fear factor", as they sound quite intimidating upon firing of the shell, and anyone in their right mind would think twice before stepping out in front of as many as 165 bbs!
-Since the shells are quite expensive, rather than throwing them out when the bearings go rolling around, most problems can be fixed by ordering either new O-Rings or new 3mm steel precision bearings from http://www.mcmaster.com .
--O-Rings: Part Number: 9452K58 (pack of 100)--
--Bearing Part Number: 9292K33 (pack of 100)--
Special thanks go to Airsoft Guide's article, which will provide much more information, but I don't want to steal their thunder, so go and read the full review on these grenades.
( http://www.airsoft-guide.com/default.asp?view=74&ad=1 )
Tokyo Marui Shotgun Shells (Estimated Price: $20 for 3 shells)
-Cheap, and in current production, these are the alternative to the significantly more expensive shells that the gas grenade launchers use. However, they are still reusable, so you can keep using them until they bust.
-Shell Capacity: 30 rounds, firing 3 at a time.
-Very few mechanical problems, but if they develop, its easier just to throw the shell out and buy more. |
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Kiss My Asahi
Cerberus
USA
Member Since: 10/09/2003 |
Posted - 01/26/2006 : 1:08:31 PM
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I have a couple of things to update with the Grenade Launcher Guide, including the addition of the Type 89 Knee Mortar released by CAW. Would members be willing to assist with providing whatever new styles of grenades or grenade launchers I missed? From there I will do the research and update the guide accordingly.
~Chaser |
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00gab00ga
Major
USA
Member Since: 05/12/2004 |
Posted - 01/26/2006 : 3:03:59 PM
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i don't think the "expensive rounds" part was neccessary. it's a pretty much given that you're only buying a grenade launcher because you have nothing else to throw your money at (aside from the government. they take enough on their own. no need to donate more).
maybe other people that own the grenade launchers can weigh them and add it to the guide, just so that the people that want a grenade launcher know what to expect in added weight.
also, under "Shells", maybe adding the foam and rubber shots.
but even without that stuff, it's a great guide. |
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Chaser's Guide to the Big Bang: Grenade Launchers
