Reply With QuoteV40's also had issues with fuse timing. "Should go off in 6, might go off in 3"....Originally Posted by RSone
If I understand the design correctly, the levers cannot move unless the grenade is firmly grasped, pressing the spoon inward. A small circular rotary switch could not be activated by someone wearing gloves or whose fingertips were slick with blood, oil or whatever, so that would not work.
V40's also had issues with fuse timing. "Should go off in 6, might go off in 3"....
Motherf***er!!!"If we send a finished product to the field and the warfighter has to modify or alter it for their mission, then we didn't do our jobs very well," he said.
I have a dumb question. Typically on a grenade, if you were to pull the lever back down (if possible) after letting it go, would that arrest the timer?
No. For American grenades, the process of detonation moves in one direction.
As a civilian, why would you ever need to use a grenade? Military personnel are trained how to use them. Serving in the combat arms in a war zone is a dangerous occupation.
Between my time as a USMC grunt and a contractor in Afghanistan, I've tossed a great number of grenades (always for training or disposal, never on an operation). I think the M67 is great. The smaller grenades you reference have a smaller charge and a smaller killing radius. If you need to get small, use a rifle. Grenades are area/room clearing tools.
Basic rule, once the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend. Most guys in my unit did not like them. I believe we had two ad's with them. A thrown grenade hit a limb, bounced back and went off, killing another Marine. The other one, we are not sure of, a guy sat down, next thing a loud boom/white smoke and he as 99% gone. Belief was the ears on the pin rusted off, when he sat down something hooked the pin and pulled it.
Mr Blooper gun is a lot nicer guy.
Forgive my ignorance Hollis but overall that seems like a pretty high incident rate for a unit with simply grenades no? I mean not to say that as an attack on the professionalism of the Men you had the distinction to serve with but thats pretty awful luck.... I would ask if I may over what time span that was and how big of a unit?
A company about 6 months. A sister company had 9 long rounds hit their CP group, killing 3 Marines and two Corpsman. It was not a lucky time, I guess. You can google Mutters Ridge 1969.
Speaking for myself, M67s and grenades in general always made me a bit uneasy. I've heard many others using them to positive effect, but then again I've heard some close calls with them as well. The latter always was first on my mind.
I just gave it a look quite some heavy casualties... Awful luck indeed.. Thanks for the answer also
I think in general that goes for much all grenades, the whole made by the lowest bidder thing goes to mind... Supposed 3 Second fuse, whose taking any chances?
Was not directly what I was referring too. Heard of mishaps such as odd behavior in the grenade when landing and blasts penetrating cover, from the guys I heard it from no one was hurt but it is still discomforting. These instances in a sense could be chalked up to "user error", but combat in itself is imperfect.
Well yes, I was more trying to state though.... They are by design a hand held explosive device which detonates once the safety features are disengaged and the fuse reaches its end....
Between problems of throwing the grenade (hitting the intended target, throwing it far enough, not dropping it and the fact that no one wants rely upon factory standards for such fuses) its a pretty uneasy concept overall I'd say for many People, so much can and evidently does from time to time go wrong... (not saying on average but you dont care about averages when its you I suppose)
No, not on US made grenades it is possible to release your grip on the safety lever/spoon enough for the striker/mousetrap to rotate under the lever and strike the primer cap, and once the cap is hit the fuze is burning. WIth a firm grip holding down the safety lever/spoon you obviously can have the pin pulled for some time without it arming but not reccommended.
Thanks James and LD. Like I said, silly question but having no experience of it all I had no real idea except "pull, throw." Thanks gents.
Posting Permissions
