I like shooting the fake rifle grenades.
The only M-8 grenade launchers that I can find are $600 or so for a real one or a reproduction one for around $200.
I see that there are original M-7s @ about $75 or less. Also reproduction M-76's for the M-14 that are very reasonable.
Anyone know if there are any "reasonably" priced M-8s around? "reasonable" being defined as $50 or less.
They don't exist! Real ones are rare and so are expensive. Repros are also scarce since very few have been made and those have pretty much been bought up by reenactors. I doubt that you'll find any better deals out there.
I paid $200 for an original in the mid 80's. Have a pamphlet describing nomenclature. Ruth used some of my Carbine Club newsletter info in his War Baby Come Home book.
You won't find them at a low cost.
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oh, well. Thank you for the feedback/ info.
Attachment 75808With machine time and tooling coasts what they are today the $200.00 cost quoted above for a reproduction launcher is well within reason. :rolleyes:
Tom, full agreement if I had one or a couple made by a competent machine shop, but I'm comparing w/ KeepShooting.com and their $34.95 M-76 for the M-14/M1A rifle probably made by Wayne Machinery in Free China.
I've used their repro M-76 and it functions w/ no issues.
Just received an email back from KeepShooting saying that they are going to take a look on having made the M-8 w/ a price point similar to their M-76's.
We'll see
Update: I broke down and bought a late model M-8 repro from Ravenna Armory for $175 plus shipping (shipping about $11.50 to me). Excellent copy/repro- fully functional- very well made- heavy duty machined- deep Parkerized. This is Not a cheapo made item. Took less then a week to arrive.
Found Joe Swansons Motion Picture blanks makes standard (Not M-6 grenade launching cartridges) 30 cal carbine blanks. Made from Federal 223 brass crimped on end- perfectly sized- well made. One hundred were $60 plus $20 shipping to me. Ordered Sun night. Arrived Saturday.
Using Services of Supply fake rifle grenade (on their website, they specifically say that these fake rifle grenades are to be used w/ standard re-enactor blanks), the Joe Swanson blanks sent the fake AP grenade about 60m @ 45degrees, fired from shoulder. Very little recoil. No damage to Carbine.
btw- the Services of Supply fake rifle grenades are very sturdy/ rubber/ aluminum. Will last a long time. Only issue that I have had w/ them is that I kept tearing off rubber ring at bottom because I was shooting almost direct fire on hard ground and them skidding along the ground tore up the ring. When fired at more or less 45degrees this is not an issue. They sell extra rubber rings and gorilla glue does work well.
More then I originally wanted to spend, but I do like watching the fake rifle grenade flying down range.
Jefe,.. Do not shoot these from your carbine!... :eek:
Attachment 76548
Tom, roger that. I imagine that launching the 60mm mortar shell modified to shoot as a rifle grenade w/ a blank would probably not go far enough to get me out of the blast radius, ha!
Speaking of this mod- I've never seen one in person. Be interested to know how the guys that designed this got around the mortar round spinning enough times to arm it? Or, not an issue w/ the 60mm mortar? (my only experience is w/ the 81mm and 4.2").
I've shot off a green and a red flare 20+ years ago over the beach. It was pretty cool, but did shake a bit. I paid $40 each for them at the time. Now they are running almost double that.
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Jefe.. The 60 mm mortar round bore safe pin is released by the recoil of discharge, and is spring loaded to come out when the muzzle is cleared. No spin required. May not work if fired from the shoulder (!). P.S. the 60 mm shell in my photo is a plastic reproduction......
I wouldn't fire a 60mm as configured to rifle grenade even on a dare.
Tom, thanks. Didn't know that about the 60mm.
In the SF "Q" course, did get to shoot the dummy Energa rifle grenade (M-29?) once (thanks, God) for familiarization.
Did see a live one fired to show blast etc.
Way that I remember, following some safety guidance, we fired it from the shoulder. Quite a kick, but manageable, if one had the correct stance and stock weld.
Would be used as bunker busters or, of course, to destroy enemy armor.
Told that the Energa or WWII equivalent's was still used in some locations and US still had stockpiles that might be provided to folks that we could be working with.
Nope, I would rather try to launch a live salmon off the end of a rifle, it would be more stable than that contraption. Great ideas on paper, I am reminded of the Davy Crockett launcher of the battlefield pocket nuclear warfare thinking.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Good Day All,
Although I'm deployed at the moment, I did have a chance to look at GB and saw this Carbine M8 rifle grenade launcher for sale (M8 Grenade Launcher - M1 Carbine - Reproduction : WW1 WW2 Collectibles at GunBroker.com). I was told by the seller there were no markings except for the range markings. He posit that it *might* be a Korea war era piece. Has anyone seen a post GI WW2 production manufactured M8?
This was advertised as a reproduction and the price seemed quite fair at $85 so I'm not worried if its a repro. I'm just curious as to its origin.
Regards,
Michael
I'd take it if the chance arose and I needed it. Here's a link to an example of a copy. It's marked for the Sun Ray co. They're expensive and if you're OK with a copy then what harm?
Reproduction M8 Grenade Launcher - Late Manufacture, Ravenna Armory
FlightRN, I think that the 90 Inf Div Reenactment Group has a research article on the M-8 launcher. I don't remember reading of any being produced by Govt/ military after WWII.
If you're OK w/ a repro, as browningauto said, you're GTG.
And, congratulations on making a good deal-
Service Supply is a WW2 re-enactor supply house. They have two varieties of repop grenades with rubber bodies, steel tubes, and rubber fins for $27. They are out of stock, now, however. I always thought they would be pretty cool. I know some of the AR guys use them with standard blanks and they fly pretty well. They use survey's ribbon streamers so they don't get lost in the woods.
Grenade, Rifle Service of Supply
Is this one real?
M8 Grenade Launcher - USGI WWII M1 Carbine A+ NICE : WW1 WW2 Collectibles at GunBroker.com
Charlie-Painter777
Who knows, maybe it was one of these locally procured by the Third U.S. Army in France during WWII:Quote:
Originally Posted by FlightRN
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