M67 grenade

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M67

The M67 fragmentation grenade.
Type Hand grenade
Place of origin  United States of America
Service history
In service present
Used by United States, Canada.
Wars Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War
Production history
Designed 1975
Produced 1975 to present
Specifications
Weight 14 oz (400 g)
Length 3.53 in (88 mm)
Diameter 2.5 in (64 mm)
Filling Composition B
Filling weight 6.5 oz (180 g)
Detonation
mechanism
 Pyrotechnic delay M213 fuse—4 seconds

The M67 grenade is a fragmentation hand grenade used by the United States military. The M67 is a replacement for the M26-series grenades used during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the older Mk 2 "pineapple" grenade used since World War II.

Overview

The M67 grenade has a spherical steel body that contains 6.5 ounces of composition B explosive. The M213 fuse is specifically designed for use with the M67 fragmentation grenade. The M67 grenade weighs 14 ounces in total and has a safety clip to prevent the pin on the grenade from being pulled accidentally. The pin prevents the lever, or "spoon" on the grenade from flipping off and arming the fuse on the grenade.

The M67 can be thrown 30 to 35 meters by the average male soldier. Its fuse delays detonation between 4 and 5 seconds after the spoon is released. Steel fragments (not to be confused with shrapnel) are provided by the grenade body and produce an injury radius of 15 meters (~45 ft), with a fatality radius of 5 meters (~15 ft), though some fragments can disperse as far out as 250 meters (~820 ft).[1]

Use

To utilize an M67 grenade, the user must first adopt the "throwing position"; feet spread apart with the grenade held squarely in the user's abdomen area.

Second, the user removes the safety clip from the grenade.

U.S. Marines in January 2008 practice with the M67 grenade, at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. Note the mid-air separation of the safety spoon from the rest of the grenade.
After the grenade is thrown, the thrower takes cover from the detonation.

Third, the user places their non-dominant index finger in the pin of the grenade while maintaining a firm grasp on the body of the grenade and safety lever (also referred to as a spoon) with the dominant hand, so in the case the user accidentally pulls the pin, the spoon doesn't automatically fly off and ignite the fuse. As an added safety measure, the pin of a live grenade is bent so it prevents an accidental removal. When the pin is pulled, the user must pull hard enough to straighten the pin as it comes out. The pin is small and made of a relatively soft metal, making it somewhat easy to remove. Left handed people hold the grenade upside down in their left hand.

Fourth, the user firmly pulls the grenade away from the pin, ensures that the spoon is still intact, and heaves the grenade at the intended target. The user may also let go of the safety, before throwing, and cook the grenade for a few seconds in order to ensure the enemy does not have time to throw it back before detonation. However, "cooking" a grenade is not recommended in all but the most dire defensive situations, as variances in the length of the delay fuse could cause the grenade to explode too near to the user. The thrower always yells "frag out" to warn others of the outgoing grenade, as simply yelling "grenade" is a warning of an incoming grenade thrown by the enemy. When the grenade is thrown, tossed or dropped, the safety spoon, which is under spring tension but was held in place first by the pin, then by the palm of the user's hand, flies off. This action frees a spring-loaded firing pin which snaps over onto a percussion cap, lighting the time delay fuse which is followed a few seconds later by detonation. The user takes cover from the blast.

Variants

M33 Fragmentation Grenade

This is the M67 without the safety clip. It has the same statistics as the M67.

M68 Fragmentation Grenade

This is a variant of the M67 with a backup impact fuse that detonates 3 - 7 seconds after impact. It has the same statistics and markings as the M67 except it has a red-painted fuse and lever to indicate it has an impact fuse.

M69 Practice Grenade

M69

M69 training grenades
Type Hand grenade
Place of origin  United States of America
Service history
In service Current
Used by United States
Specifications
Weight 14 oz (400 g)
Length 3.53 in (88 mm)
Diameter 2.5 inches (63.5 mm)
Filling None
Detonation
mechanism
 Pyrotechnic delay fuse – 4 seconds

The M69 Grenade is used for grenade training to safely simulate the M67 grenade. The fuse screws into the body, and is replaceable after use. The simulator produces a report and small puff of white smoke when properly employed.

The M69 has a blue-painted lever and a blue body. This is to indicate that it is a safe Practice grenade rather than a live fragmentation grenade like the M33 or M67.

Users

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ Army Study Guide: Hand Grenades

See also

History
Structure
Canadian Mechanized Brigade Groups
Canadian Brigade Groups
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