Infantry weapons / Grenade launchers / AG36
AG36
General Facts
- TYPE
Under barrel grenade launcher - ORIGIN
Germany - NICKNAMES
AG-NL (Dutch designation for AG-C)
L17A1 and A2 UGL (UK designation for AG-C)
EGLM (nickname for AG-C)
AG-HK416 (nickname for AG-C) - DESIGNED
Late 1990's - DESIGNER
Heckler & Koch - PRODUCTION
2002 - present (AG36)
2008 - present (M320) - PRODUCERS
Germany - Heckler & Koch - QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
$ 3.500 for M320 in 2010 - CHARACTERISTICS
Ergonomic design
Fires rounds of any length
Compact
Double action trigger
Stand alone usage
Limited rate of fire
Bulky due to pistol grip
Introduction
The AG36 is a grenade launcher of German origin. It was developed by Heckler & Koch in the 1990's for use under the G36 rifle. The name AG36 stands for Anbaugranatwerfer 36, which is German for attachable grenade launcher 36. Compared to the older HK 79 the AG36 is lighter, easier to use and more ergonomic.
Design
The AG36 is an under barrel grenade launcher that can be used as a stand alone weapon using a kit. It consists of a barrel, pistol grip and G36 forearm with integrated ladder sight. The barrel opens sideways which makes it easier to load grenades in the prone position. The pistol grip features a double action trigger mechanism.
Firepower
The AG36 is a single shot weapon that fires 40x46mm low velocity grenades. Besides the standard high explosive fragmentation rounds there is a wide selection of other rounds available. As the barrel opens sideways rounds of any length can be loaded. The rate of fire is about 6 rounds per minute. The effective range against point targets is 150 m. Area targets can be engaged out to 400 m.
Users
The first and main user of the AG36 is the German military. The standard AG36 is used by many nations that have acquired the G36. The AG-C is used by various nations, mainly located in Europe.
AG36
The AG36 is the original version that was developed to attach to the G36 assault rifle. The handguard that is attached to the grenade launcher houses the sights and replaces the original handguard on the G36. The handguard has two rows of ventilation slots instead of one row on standard G36 handguards.
- Specifications:
- AG36
Type | Grenade launcher |
---|---|
Caliber | 40x46mm NATO |
Magazine | Single shot |
Operation | Breech loading, side opening barrel |
Fire selector | 0-1 |
Rate of fire | Single shot |
Barrel length | 280 mm |
---|---|
Rifling | 6 grooves, 1.2 m right hand twist |
Muzzle velocity | 79 m/s |
Stock | - |
Length | 348 mm |
Width | 89 mm |
Height | 205 mm |
---|---|
Weight | 1.5 kg |
Sights | Iron sights, ladder rearsight, 50 to 350 m gradation, 148 mm sight radius |
Remarks | - |
AG-C
The AG-C is a modification of the AG36 that was developed to fit on the M16 series of assault rifles. It attaches to Picatinny rails under the forearm of the weapon, making it in theory attachable to much more weapons than the M16 series alone. The ladder sight has been moved to the left and is attached by brackets. The AG-NL is a Dutch modification that uses an optical sight instead of a mechanical one. The UGL is a modification for use on the British SA-80 assault rifle.
M320 GLM
The M320 Grenade Launcher Module is a modified version of the AG36 that was developed to meet a US military requirement. It is similar to the AG-C but adds a foldable forward grip and has the ability to mount a telecopic buttstock for stand alone use. Besides the iron sights it is possible to mount a laser range finder or an optical sight.
- Specifications:
- M320 GLM
Type | Grenade launcher |
---|---|
Caliber | 40x46mm NATO |
Magazine | Single shot |
Operation | Breech loading, side opening barrel |
Fire selector | 0-1 |
Rate of fire | Single shot |
Barrel length | 280 mm |
---|---|
Rifling | 6 grooves, 1.2 m right hand twist |
Muzzle velocity | 76 m/s |
Stock | Optional |
Length | 350 mm |
Width | ? |
Height | ? |
---|---|
Weight | 1.5 kg |
Sights | Iron sights, ladder rearsight, 50 to 350 m gradation, 148 mm sight radius, optional optical sights |
Remarks | - |