Grenade Launcher

From hand mortars to underbarrel launchers: the evolution of portable explosive firepower.

A grenade launcher is a weapon that fires a specially designed, large caliber projectile, often with an explosive, smoke, or gas warhead. Today, the term generally refers to a class of dedicated firearms firing unitary grenade cartridges - for example the widely used 40mm type. The most common type are man-portable, shoulder-fired weapons issued to individuals, although larger crew-served launchers are issued at higher levels of organization by military forces.

Quick Facts

Weapon class: Heavy
Damage type: Explosive

Lore & Background

Grenade launchers are produced in the form of standalone weapons (either single shot or repeating) or as attachments mounted to a parent firearm, usually a rifle. Larger crew-served automatic grenade launchers such as the Mk 19 are mounted on tripods or vehicles. Some armored fighting vehicles also mount fixed arrays of short-range, single-shot grenade launchers as a means of defense.

Reader's Guide

Stand-alone launchers include single-shot breech-loading types like the M79, as well as heavier multi-shot revolvers like the Milkor MGL. Underbarrel launchers mount under a rifle's barrel and have their own trigger group; to fire, one changes grips, disengages the safety, and pulls the trigger. Rifle grenades attach to the muzzle of a standard rifle and are fired using blank or live cartridges.

Did You Know?

The earliest devices that could be referred to as grenade launchers were slings, which could be used to throw early grenado fuse bombs.
One of the first examples of a dedicated breech-loading launcher for unitary explosive grenade rounds was the M79 grenade launcher, a result of the American Special Purpose Individual Weapon program.
The arms manufacturer Rheinmetall plans to start serial production of their magazine-fed fully-automatic grenade launcher SSW40 later in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

In which game settings can players access this equipment?

Variants appear across various installments from the original Stilwater maps to the Steelport reboot. While specific models differ between titles, its core function remains consistent as a heavy weapon option.

Is the Grenade Launcher available to factions other than the Saints?

Yes, rival factions in Stilwater and Steelport also utilize this escalation in firepower during conflicts. It serves as a standard tool for explosive warfare regardless of which side wields it.

Why do players prioritize using the Grenade Launcher over other guns?

Its ability to deliver massive damage makes it essential for vehicle destruction and managing large enemy waves. Players often choose this item when they need to overwhelm opponents quickly with explosive force.