RG-6 grenade launcher

RG-6 (6G30)
Type Grenade launcher
Place of origin Russia
Service history
In service 1994–present
Used by Russia
Wars First Chechen War, Second Chechen War
Production history
Designer TsKIB SOO
Designed 1993-1994
Produced 1994–present
Specifications
Weight 6.2 kg (13.67 lb)
Length 690 mm (27 in) stock extended / 520 mm (20.5 in) stock folded
Width 145 mm (5.7 in)
Height 280 mm (11 in) in combat / 200 mm (7.9 in) in travelling
Cartridge 40 mm VOG-25
Action Double action
Rate of fire 2 rounds/sec (rapid fire)
16-18 rounds/min (sustained)
Muzzle velocity 76.5 m/s (251 ft/s)
Maximum firing range 400 m (1,300 ft)
Feed system 6-Round, Revolving, Swing Out-Type Cylinder
Sights folded, ladder-type rear sight

The RG-6 (GRAU designation 6G30) is a Russian 40 mm semi-automatic, 6-shot grenade launcher developed between 1993 and 1994 by TSKIB SOO.

History

The RG-6 was required to increase the firepower of the infantry during urban combat, seen in small-scale conflicts, such as the Chechen wars. The RG-6 entered limited production by the mid-1990s and is now in use by various elements of Russian Army and special forces such as those in the MVD.

Design

RG-6 is designed to fire all standard 40mm "caseless" grenades, available for the general issue GP-25 underbarrel launcher. The design of the RG-6 is, apparently, heavily influenced by the South African Milkor MGL grenade launcher, with some differences. The key difference is that RG-6 uses "caseless" rounds, and thus its cylinder is loaded from the front. The "barrel" is, in fact, a smoothbore tube, which served only as a support for front grip and sights.

The double-action only trigger unit is also modified from GP-25, with manual safety and several automatic safeties.

The cylinder is rotated using clockwork-type spring, which is manually wound during reloading. For reloading, the front cylinder plate with the "barrel" tube is unlocked from the frame and then rotated sideways, to expose the front of the cylinder. Each chamber in the cylinder is a separate muzzle-loading rifled barrel, similar in design to the GP-25 barrel.

The sights are folded for more convenient carry and storage, with a ladder-type rear sight. The buttstock is fitted with a rubber recoil pad, and when it is not in use, it is telescoped into the frame.

See also

References

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