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M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:M1a2-rifle-grenade-adapter.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Mk 2 training grenade fitted with M1A2 rifle grenade adapter]] | [[Image:M1a2-rifle-grenade-adapter.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Mk 2 training grenade fitted with M1A2 rifle grenade adapter]] | ||
The '''M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher''' was a muzzle device that could be attached to the [[M1 Garand]] in order to allow it to fire rifle grenades using blank propelling cartridges. It could accept several grenade types, but the most common were the [[M9A1 Rifle Grenade]] with a HEAT warhead, the M19 with a white phosphorous smoke / incendiary warhead, and the [[M17 Rifle Grenade]] with a fragmentation warhead. The latter was rendered obsolete when the M1 rifle grenade adapter adapters was introduced in 1944, which could make any [[Mk 2 Hand Grenade]] (and later the [[M34 White Phosphorous grenade]]) capable of being fired from the M7 launcher, and could also be adapted to launch the warhead of a 60mm mortar shell. | The '''M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher''' was a muzzle device that could be attached to the [[M1 Garand]] in order to allow it to fire rifle grenades using blank propelling cartridges. Fitting the original M7 turned the M1 into a single-shot rifle as long as it was mounted, since the assembly included a stud that depressed the valve of the rifle's gas cylinder lock screw to vent all of the gas that would normally cycle the action. This was intended to prevent damage to the gas system, and prevent the rifle ejecting spent casings into the operator or trying to eat him when cycling next to his leg. Since this meant the launcher had to be constantly dismounted and re-mounted, they were frequently lose: period documents indicate that 15-20% of M7 launchers in inventory were being lost per month. Only the postwar M7s, the M7A1 (1949), M7A2 (1951) and M7A3 (1953) allowed semi-automatic fire with the launcher mounted: these used the recoil from the grenade actually being launched to open the gas port. | ||
It could accept several grenade types, but the most common were the [[M9A1 Rifle Grenade]] with a HEAT warhead, the M19 with a white phosphorous smoke / incendiary warhead, and the [[M17 Rifle Grenade]] with a fragmentation warhead. The latter was rendered obsolete when the M1 rifle grenade adapter adapters was introduced in 1944, which could make any [[Mk 2 Hand Grenade]] (and later the [[M34 White Phosphorous grenade]]) capable of being fired from the M7 launcher, and could also be adapted to launch the warhead of a 60mm mortar shell. | |||
The pin needs to be pulled from the grenade before the M1 rifle grenade adapter is fired, something often forgotten in media depictions. The adapter then retains the grenade's spoon with an arming clip that separates due to inertia on launch: assembled M1 rifle grenades often had a block of wood under the spoon to hold the clip securely during transport. | The pin needs to be pulled from the grenade before the M1 rifle grenade adapter is fired, something often forgotten in media depictions. The adapter then retains the grenade's spoon with an arming clip that separates due to inertia on launch: assembled M1 rifle grenades often had a block of wood under the spoon to hold the clip securely during transport. | ||
Revision as of 10:16, 19 November 2017
The M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher was a muzzle device that could be attached to the M1 Garand in order to allow it to fire rifle grenades using blank propelling cartridges. Fitting the original M7 turned the M1 into a single-shot rifle as long as it was mounted, since the assembly included a stud that depressed the valve of the rifle's gas cylinder lock screw to vent all of the gas that would normally cycle the action. This was intended to prevent damage to the gas system, and prevent the rifle ejecting spent casings into the operator or trying to eat him when cycling next to his leg. Since this meant the launcher had to be constantly dismounted and re-mounted, they were frequently lose: period documents indicate that 15-20% of M7 launchers in inventory were being lost per month. Only the postwar M7s, the M7A1 (1949), M7A2 (1951) and M7A3 (1953) allowed semi-automatic fire with the launcher mounted: these used the recoil from the grenade actually being launched to open the gas port.
It could accept several grenade types, but the most common were the M9A1 Rifle Grenade with a HEAT warhead, the M19 with a white phosphorous smoke / incendiary warhead, and the M17 Rifle Grenade with a fragmentation warhead. The latter was rendered obsolete when the M1 rifle grenade adapter adapters was introduced in 1944, which could make any Mk 2 Hand Grenade (and later the M34 White Phosphorous grenade) capable of being fired from the M7 launcher, and could also be adapted to launch the warhead of a 60mm mortar shell.
The pin needs to be pulled from the grenade before the M1 rifle grenade adapter is fired, something often forgotten in media depictions. The adapter then retains the grenade's spoon with an arming clip that separates due to inertia on launch: assembled M1 rifle grenades often had a block of wood under the spoon to hold the clip securely during transport.
The M8 Rifle Grenade Launcher is a variant of the M7, used with the M1 Carbine.
The M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Film
| Title | Actor | Character | Note | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms | Lee Van Cleef | Corp. Stone | M8 launcher on M1 Carbine | 1953 |
| Reptilicus | A Danish soldier | 1961 | ||
| Merrill's Marauders | U.S. Army soldiers | 1962 | ||
| Battle of the Bulge | George Montgomery | Sgt. Duquesne | 1965 | |
| Saving Private Ryan | US Army soldier | 1998 | ||
| Flags of Our Fathers | Joseph Cross | PFC Franklin Sousey | 2006 | |
| The Front Line | South Korean Army | 2011 | ||
| Saints and Soldiers: Airborne Creed | Jasen Wade | Corporal Curtis | 2012 |
Television
| Actor | Character | Show Title / Episode | Note | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam James | Pvt. Cleveland Petty | Band of Brothers / "Carentan" | 2001 | |
| Cpl. Schmidt | Band of Brothers | 2001 | ||
| Dexter Fletcher | Sgt. Johnny Martin | Band of Brothers / "The Last Patrol" | 2001 | |
| US Marines | The Pacific | 2010 |
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Mods | Notation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day of Defeat: Source | 2005 | |||
| Medal of Honor: Airborne | 2007 | |||
| Call of Duty: World at War | 2008 | |||
| Project Reality: Normandy | 2013 |