RGP-40
Polish six-shot revolver-type 40 mm grenade launcher.
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The RGP-40 is a Polish, six-shot, revolver-style 40 mm grenade launcher. Built by ZM Tarnów, it was developed by WAT and OBR SM Tarnów, drawing heavily from the M32 MGL. Its name stands for Ręczny Granatnik Powtarzalny 40 mm.
History
The RGP-40 was first shown as a prototype at the MSPO 2008 exhibition in Kielce. Its appearance closely resembles the South African Milkor MGL, particularly the M32 MGL model. The final production version might differ from this early prototype, with plans to swap the stock for a telescoping one designed specifically for the launcher, along with other ergonomic and functional improvements. The Polish Armed Forces were initially seen as the main customer, with an estimated need for around 500 of these multi-shot grenade launchers.
Other potential users include the Police, Prison Service, and other law enforcement agencies requiring high firepower for tear gas or non-lethal rounds. In 2016, the Polish Army ordered 200 units but later rejected them for not meeting its requirements. The Polish Police purchased three RGP-40s in 2017. Just before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, the Polish government supplied a stored batch of these launchers to Ukraine, where they were subsequently used by Ukrainian Ground Forces.
Design
The RGP-40 is a shoulder-fired 40mm grenade launcher that uses a six-round revolver-style magazine powered by a spring. This spring-driven cylinder automatically rotates 60 degrees each time the weapon is fired, but it must be manually wound back after every reload. The weapon’s core is a frame that holds the swing-out cylinder magazine. Before loading, the magazine is rotated to either the left or right.
The chamber is 140mm long, allowing it to fire both standard combat rounds and longer special-purpose cartridges. The launcher has a double-action trigger, and an ambidextrous safety selector sits on top of the pistol grip to prevent accidental discharge. For accessories, the RGP-40 features a Picatinny rail on top of the magazine and three rails around the barrel. It also comes with a telescopic buttstock that can be rotated vertically to improve handling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who made RGP-40?
RGP-40 was made by Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów.
Where was RGP-40 developed?
RGP-40 was developed in Poland.
More in Grenade Launchers
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: RGP-40 (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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