Britishs AR-15 and rifle grenades

[Bill Ricca]

I have Colt Overseas Sales Catalogs dated 1964 in three different languages. They show the M29 Rifle Grenade but European Version.

On my web page of Recoiling Launchers History I explain:

On the right is the European version of the Energa. Not visible is Mecar's Armaments and Munitions trademark. Unlike the Energas from US inventory which had rocket fins, the European version had a circular stabilizer. This particular practice projectile is dated 1962. While trying to sell its Model 01 version of the M16 to foreign countries, Colt's 1964 sales catalog advertised the rifle's compatibility with the Energa grenade. This projectile may have been a salesman's sample.

I do not remember the Colt picture having the depression in the front. This is a picture of a European one in my collection.

[Tom in N.J.]

The AR 15 / M 16 can fire hand grenades with a projection adapter, signals star and parachute, and the large Energa AT types. No separate launcher is required. The standard flash hider is 22mm in diameter and all U.S. and NATO grenades fit. I was given a number of XM195 Grenade Cartridges, and had to compare them with M200 Blank rounds to see the difference. In the photo below the XM195 is on the left. It is shorter in the neck and overall length than the M200 Blank. The M200 Blank also has a knurled ring about 1/2" up around the case. My XM195s are headspamped "Winchester / .223 Rem", the M200 Blanks "LC / 88"
The spring attachment is not required to launch grenades / signals, but keeps the item in place in case you inadvertently point the muzzle down. I have added a photo of the U.S. M29 practice AT grenade with the 'rocket' fins per Bill Ricca's post above.

[Bill Ricca]

I was lucky to get plenty of the retaining springs back in the 1980's. This is a picture I used when I put them up on eBay back circa 2002. Nowadays I stay away from Anti Second Amendment eBay and sell these on my site.



Actually it would be dangerous to launch a high explosive without the retaining spring. As Tom stated, it could fall off if the spring was not installed.

During early development of the WWII Grenade Launchers all designs with the retaining spring located at the bottom were disregarded because the projectile would have to be installed all the way to the bottom. That meant it would be impossible to vary the distance. No launcher without a retainer was even tested with the M7 series. The M1 & M2 series (03 and M1917 Rifles) taught several lessons.

[upnorth]

Hi

Didn't the British used Diemaco all along ?

Best

V

[browningautorifle]

There are factions all over the world that have adopted some of Diemaco's product. Netherlands, Dutch Marines, Danish, Norwegian, British and many others have adopted some parts like barrels or grenade launchers or sights.

[imarangemaster]

I was reading through TBR (The Black Rifle- the retro bible) about early AR15 Model 601 employment in Vietnam with advisers in the project AGILE days (1961?) On Page 107, in the right hand column they describe one company propelling grenades in an engagement with the VC in ranges of 100 to 500 yards very effectively. A total of 36 rifle grenades were used.

[Nick S]

Hi

Didn't the British used Diemaco all along ?

Best

V

The British used early AR15s (not M16s) before the US adopted the rifle as the M16. (I believe the British gov were one of the first purchasers of the rifles from Colt.) They saw extensive use in Borneo with Gurkhas/Marines, and were still going at the time of the Falklands War. I've a picture somewhere dating from the 80's showing a marine on the Arctic Warfare course carrying one. (No forward assist and early flash hider...)

[browningautorifle]

Yes, but he's asking about Diemaco. They only got really going about mid 80s. The UK was one of the earliest and most consistant purchasers if Diemaco products.