RGS-50M - special hand grenade launcher
The creation of the RGS-50 multi-purpose grenade launcher system began in mid-1980. As a result, after completing a number of works in the late 1980s, a new special-purpose grenade launcher system was created and put into service. The complex consisted of a 50-mm hand-held grenade launcher RGS-50 (Special Hand Grenade Launcher) and shots with tear-irritant (GS50), light-sound (GS350) and shock-shock (EG50 and EG50M) grenades.
RGS-50 hand grenade launcher manufactured in the 1980s
Subsequently, the complex was supplemented with combat grenades of fragmentation (G050) and cumulative (GK50) action, ammunition for knocking out door locks (GV50), a grenade for instantly setting up a smoke screen (GD50) and a grenade for breaking glass (BK50). The tear-irritant grenade (GS50M) was also modernized.
The RGS-50 grenade launcher is a single-shot weapon with a folding smooth barrel (like a hunting rifle). Features of the design and operation of the parts and mechanisms of the grenade launcher include the fact that when the barrel is opened, the force is transferred through the cocker to the trigger installed inside the body. At the same time, the mainspring is compressed, and the hammer is fixed in the cocked state. When you press the trigger, this force is transmitted to the sear, which, turning on an axis, disengages from the trigger. The trigger, under the action of the mainspring, rotates on its axis, strikes the ammunition primer, and a shot occurs. After striking the trigger, due to the rebound spring, it returns back so that the firing pin can move away from the primer to open the barrel after the shot. In this case, the grenade launcher rolls back, squeezing the hydraulic brake.
Modern RGS-50M hand grenade launcher
The removable hydraulic spring recoil brake is a single unit with the stock, equipped with a rubber shock absorber. This design for reducing the recoil impulse ensures that grenades weighing about 0.4 kg are thrown with an initial speed of about 90 m/s. The low initial velocity of the grenade and the design of the barrel provide a low sound level when fired, comparable to a pop. The simplicity of the grenade launcher ensures its high reliability and ease of use.
At the end of the 1990s, the RPS-50 grenade launcher was modernized and received the name RGS-50M. To make it more convenient to hold the grenade launcher, a folding handle was installed under the barrel. The hydraulic spring recoil brake was replaced with a spring brake, and the trigger mechanism was improved.
RGS-50M hand grenade launcher, barrel folded back for reloading
RGS-50 and RGS-50M grenade launchers belong to the class of heavy grenade launchers that are used from distant approaches to a captured object (up to 150 m). Neutralizing the enemy with special ammunition provides fighters of special units with the opportunity to get closer to the target of attack and effectively use their standard weapons. The presence of a fan grenade launcher system with various lethal effects in its ammunition allows anti-terrorist units to solve a wide range of combat missions during various special operations. It is the presence of ammunition for various purposes that makes the entire complex a multi-purpose weapon. For example, a shot with a GSZ-50 light-sound grenade provides a significant psychophysiological effect on terrorists located in the same room with the aim of temporarily disrupting body functions. The defeat of a living target is carried out with a bright flash of light (at least 2 Mkd) and sound pressure on the hearing organs (at least 135 dB). When a grenade explodes, there are no mechanical destructive elements.
Effective destruction of a single living target is ensured by the EG-5SKh shot. The elastic shock-action element weighing about 85 g of this shot reliably neutralizes an unprotected person for a short time at distances of up to 40 m. At the same time, maximum human safety is ensured, even if the striking element is accidentally hit to the head. Also, for the temporary neutralization of a group target at a distance of up to 10m or an unobserved target indoors, the EG-50M rubber buckshot shot is intended. The destruction of living targets is ensured through the combined psychological impact of the sound and flame of a shot and the shock-shock defeat of rubber buckshot. The total mass of 56 elements of rubber buckshot is about 140 grams, and the diameter of the dispersion circle at a distance of 5 m is less than 1.5 m. The EG-50M shot can be fired not only from the RGS-50 grenade launcher, but from the US-50 portable firing device, which allows shooting with one hand. US-50 weight - 1.5 kg5 dimensions - 406x84x64mm. Effective firing range up to 10 m.
Also, to temporarily neutralize a group of terrorists or an individual criminal in a room, a shot with a GS-50M tear-irritant grenade weighing about 400 grams is used. Neutralization of offenders is achieved through an explosively dispersible powder composition of tear action (chloroacetophenone (CN). A highly sensitive contact mechanical fuse ensures guaranteed operation of the grenade after it meets the target and the instant creation of an intolerable concentration of tear substance. When the ammunition explodes, there are no mechanical destructive elements. To ensure concealment maneuver by instantly setting up a smoke screen, a GD-50 shot is used - with a smoke grenade. And to break shop windows and ensure penetration into the attacked buildings through window openings, a shot with a VK-50 grenade is used.
To train shooters during training shooting, a shot with a practical GS-50GM grenade is used. The overall weight and ballistic characteristics of the training shot correspond to the GS-50M shot. The grenade has an inert warhead. The ammunition load of the RGS-50M grenade launcher for hitting living targets and equipment also includes fragmentation and cumulative grenades. So, to hit living targets at a distance of about 100 m on the ground, as well as in open shelters, in unarmored vehicles or in rooms with window openings, a shot with a GO-50 fragmentation grenade is used. The fragmentation zone of a grenade is up to 7 m in the radial direction and up to 20 m in the direction of the shot with an expansion angle of 20 degrees. The grenade can be equipped with a contact-remote or contact fuse.
Partial destruction of components and assemblies of vehicles, followed by its stop, is carried out by a shot with a GK-50 cumulative grenade. At the same time, the destructive element of a cumulative grenade is capable of penetrating a 20-mm aluminum plate, and at a distance of more than 7 m in the radial direction there are no destructive elements. Together with the “Vyrub DP-1” set of technical equipment, the RGS-50M grenade launcher can be used for emergency opening of doors by dismantling the door lock. The kit includes GV-50 rounds with a special firing pin and muzzle braking devices. The “Virub DP-1” kit ensures opening of wooden doors: with a muzzle braking device installed on the grenade launcher, point-blank to the door, excluding the possibility of the striker penetrating the barrier, when firing without installing a muzzle device, from a distance of 3 - 10 m with the possibility of the striker penetrating the barrier.
Over almost twenty years of operation, the RGS-50 (RGS-50M) grenade launcher has proven itself to be an effective weapon for anti-terrorist units of security agencies.
Ammunition for RGS-50
Several variants of shots were developed for firing from the RGS-50 and RGS-50M, including:
- GS-50 and GS-50M (index SV-1301/1) - gas grenades, equipped with a tear-irritant irritant CN; - GS-50PM (index SV-1301/2) - training (practical) shot. - GSZ-50 (index SV-1301/3) - a shot with a blinding-stunning grenade; - EG-50 (index SV-1301/4) - shock-action shot, with an elastic bullet; - EG-50M (index SV-1301/5) - shock-action shot, with a charge of 140 grams of rubber buckshot; - GV-50 (index SV-1301/6) - a shot for knocking out locks; — GO-50 (index SV-1301/7) — fragmentation grenade; - GK-50 (index SV-1301/8) - cumulative grenade; - GD-50 (index SV-1301/9) - smoke grenade; — BK-50 — a grenade for breaking glass.
Ammunition options for the RGS-50M with split cartridge cases (exhibition samples).
Acquaintance
RGS-50 is a special purpose hand grenade launcher. Developed by Soviet gunsmiths for special forces of the police and army. According to experts, the main task pursued by the creators of the RGS-50 was to exert a psychological influence on armed criminals and temporarily incapacitate them. In addition, using this complex you can urgently open doors during an assault. Similar weapons in the 1960s. used by police and military in the United States. American 40mm grenade launcher. received the name "mazila" and was widely used during the Vietnam War.
Performance characteristics of RGS-50M
Adopted: 1989 Weight without shot, kg: 6.3 Length, mm: 904 Height, mm: 280 Width, mm: 75 Cartridge: 50 mm rounds Operating principles: breaking Rate of fire, rounds/min: 2-3 Initial speed bullets, m/s: 92 Sighting range, m: 150 Maximum range, m: 400 Type of ammunition: single-shot Maximum recoil length, mm: 100 Guaranteed service life of the grenade launcher, shots: 500 Temperature range of use, °C: from minus 40 to + 50
Description
The grenade launcher is designed like a hunting rifle, namely, it functions by breaking the opening barrel, in the bore of which there are no riflings. The RGS-50 is equipped with a removable hydraulic spring brake (SGPT) with a rubber shock absorber, the purpose of which is to dampen recoil during firing.
The buttstock and this recoil brake form a single unit in the grenade launcher. A grenade launcher with a frame sight and a detachable forend, which is attached to the barrel. The width of RGS-50 is 7.8 cm.
Device
To load the grenade launcher, the fighter should tilt the barrel down. It is in this way that the barrel channel in the RGS-50 is opened and locked. According to experts, the design feature of this weapon is that when opened by the cocker, a force is exerted on the trigger, the location of which is the inside of the body. In this case, the mainspring is compressed and the hammer is fixed in the cocked position.
If you press the trigger, then under the influence of force the sear, turning around its axis, will come out of the hook along with the trigger. The latter is affected by the mainspring. As a result, the trigger also rotates around its axis and hits the capsule, which is why the shot occurs. After this, the rebound spring begins to act on the trigger, as a result of which it moves back. Thus, the firing pin moves away from the primer, allowing the grenade launcher barrel to open. During the shot, the RGS-50 rolls back and the hydraulic brake compresses. The grenade launcher is not equipped with an automatic safety catch. Its location is on the right side of the body. RGS-50 with mechanical sighting device. It is represented by a front sight and a folding rack sight, which has three slots for 50, 100 and 150 m.
