Karl Gustav MRAAW - firing details

[catalyst]

Can anybody please explain the firing process for the 84mm karl Gustav medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon as used by many armed forces world wide. Whilst now a poor choice for a combined arms battlefield due to its low penetration capabilities, can anybody detail how the fire must brace themselves for firing ie, with the mouth open due to back blast.

i was informed by members of the RAAF airfield Defence guards that when firing the concusion of the Karl Gustav was actually enough to shatter teeth when the mouth is closed. Further details on this weapon (as shown below would be appreciated).

http://www.army.gov.au/2_17RNSWR/main_files/84_with_ammo_types.jpg

[FallenAngel]

Rule #1...

FACE TOWARDS ENEMY :D

[James]

I've fired the AT-4. It was very loud, but I don't recall my teeth shattering... perhaps this fellow was talking about firing one from inside a building? The overpressure might be unpleasant :roll: but I don't think your teeth would disintegrate.

[[AFSOC]]

What do you think is better a CArl Gustav or an AT-4?

[James]

If I'm not mistaken, Carl Gustav designed both weapons systems, and both are 84mm. The only difference that I'm aware of is that the AT-4 is a throw away weapon like the old LAW. If anyone knows more, please advise.

I don't know which is better. As a former grunt, I was happy to have something to kill a tank with. Better yet, a radio to call for heavy weapons or air support, while I could hide in a nice deep hole.

[catalyst]

I was told u must hold your mouth open due to this occuring. As i said i havent personally seen a firing take place.....Also i was told the backblast on such a weapon was rather large and HAD to be clear or it would give serious burns to those 'showered' by the blast.

[James]

The backblast is dangerous, so we always called out "Backblast clear!" and waited for the appropriate response.

As far as teeth... I didn't lose any after firing the AT-4. Maybe your mates are pulling your leg? I don't know.

[BT_Recon]

Radiation poisoning..... gums love it.

[Upfrontreporting]

Having fired the thing on several times in the Danish Army, I haven't ever heard about any shattered teeth, although at times the airpressure when firing can sometimes pull a lot of snot and goo out of your face :(

On a lesser note the Carl Gustaf is a bitch if you are range safty on it and have a hangover, ten shots in a row made me feel.....not great.

The HEAT shell is the same on the Gustaf and the AT4, although there also exists some kind dual warhead for the Gustaf.

regards

[Royal]

The open mouth has nothing to do with teeth, it's ears. The same applies to some dems and certainly bigger artillery pieces. Not 100% sure of the physics, but it enables you to equalise internal & external pressures using the eustacian canals (as in diving).

I'm a fan of the Charlie G, although I havn't used it for years. It's advantage was not as an anti-tank weapon (not enough penetration) but as an anti-anything else weapon.

For example, in South Georgia it was sucessfully used against helo's, a ship and a submarine. It was regularly used as a bunker buster.

For that sort of task it is reusable (so more ammo can be carried), much cheaper than an ATGW, and perfectly effective against softer skinned targets.

Lets face it, in most combat Ops nowadays we're not going to come up against top line AFV's, but technicals etc, and if we do we've still got Javelin etc...

[martinexsquaddie]

there pulling your leg fired in the falklands at an old panhard used as a target don't remember if I had my mouth open or not :roll:

[digrar]

I wouldn't believe too many things that a adgie tells you 3 RAR.
The 84 was always good value on cold nights when firing illumination rounds. Pointing it up into the sky was the best way to warm your arse and the back of your legs :D

[D.E. Watters]

The practice of opening your mouth is to help save your eardrums. It is an old artillery crew trick. It also works when you are having a pressure build up in your ears during takeoff or landing in a pressurized aircraft.