GP-25

The development of a grenade launcher for the AKM assault rifle began in 1966 at the Central Design and Research Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Arms (TsKIB SOO). Development continued into the 1970s, and in 1978 it was accepted into service. GP grenade launchers are similar in appearance and fire the same Russian 40mm caliber ammunition. At the top of the barrel is the mounting hardware to attach the weapon to the underside of a rifle barrel, from which it is designed to fire. The GP barrel has a useful life of about 400 rounds. The GP-30 first entered service in 1989, • Improved safety: The design prevents a round from moving within or falling out of the barrel, even if the muzzle is pointed down. The GP-34 features an additional mechanism (firing pin safety lever) to improve safety during loading. Variants File:GP-25 at Tula State Museum of Weapons.jpg|GP-25. File:GP-30M Interpolitex-2012.jpg|GP-30M. File:VVday2015 56.jpg|GP-34. • ГП-25 (GP-25), GRAU index: 6Г15 (6G15), nickname «Костёр» (Kostyor, "Bonfire") • ГП-30 (GP-30), GRAU index: 6Г21 (6G21), nickname «Обувка» (Obuvka, "Shoe") • ГП-34 (GP-34), GRAU index: 6Г34 (6G34) == Use ==

with GP grenade launcher under an AKM rifle, 45th Spetsnaz Brigade. A grenade is first loaded from the muzzle, the weapon is aimed, and then the double-action trigger is pulled to fire. This fires the percussion cap at the base of the grenade which activates the nitrocellulose propellant inside the grenade body. The hot, expanding gas from the propellant is forced through openings in the base of the grenade that move it along the barrel and, at the same time, force the driving band to fit into the twelve grooves of the rifle. The rifling provides stabilizing rotation to the projectile. File:Як артисти театру ім. Франка служили у Нацгвардії та каталися на танках 6933 (26939058010).jpg|GP-25 sighting system. File:Як артисти театру ім. Франка служили у Нацгвардії та каталися на танках 6937 (26939053640).jpg|GP-25 seen from the front. File:Як артисти театру ім. Франка служили у Нацгвардії та каталися на танках 6940 (26939054060).jpg|Explanation on the use of the GP-25. == Ammunition ==

soldier armed with a GP-25/30 on patrol in Kunar province, Khas Kunar district of Afghanistan, July 1, 2009. GP grenade launchers fire multiple 40mm VOG-25 high-explosive fragmentation grenades, with a total range of 400 m and an effective range of 150 m. Smoke grenades are also available. The original GRD-40 grenade was replaced by a series of grenades designed for use at different ranges. These are the GRD-50, GRD-100 and GRD-200 intended for use at 50, 100 and 200 meters respectively. They are capable of producing a 20 cubic meter cloud of smoke that lasts for one minute in winds of up to five meters per second. A tear gas grenade called Gvozd ("Nail") and a stick grenade are also available. Ammunition data == Users ==

. • • • : GP-30 • • : Made under license by Arsenal AD as the UBGL and the UBGL-1. • • • • : Made by STC Delta. • : Used for the AK-74M. • • : Used by IRGC • : Lithuanian Armed Forces • • • • : Made under license by Zastava Arms as the PBG – 40 mm and the PBG 40 mm M70. • • : Uses both GP-25s and GP-30Ms. • • == See also ==