TYPES OF HAND GRENADES U.S. ARMY.pdf

FM 3-23.30

CHAPTER 1

TYPES OF HAND GRENADES

This chapter describes the various types of hand grenades, their

components and mechanical functions, and examples of the grenades used

by U.S. forces.

1-1. DESCRIPTION

The hand grenade is a hand-held, hand-armed, and hand-thrown weapon. U.S. forces use

colored smoke, white smoke, riot-control, special purpose, fragmentation, offensive, and

practice hand grenades. Each grenade has a different capability that provides the soldier

with a variety of options to successfully complete any given mission. Hand grenades give

the soldier the ability to kill enemy soldiers and destroy enemy equipment. Historically,

the most important hand grenade has been the fragmentation grenade, which is the

soldier’s personal indirect weapon system. Offensive grenades are much less lethal than

fragmentation grenades on an enemy in the open, but they are very effective against an

enemy within a confined space. Smoke and special purpose grenades can be used to

signal, screen, control crowds or riots, start fires, or destroy equipment. Because the hand

grenade is thrown by hand, the range is short and the casualty radius is small. The 4- to

5-second delay on the fuse allows the soldier to safely employ the grenade.

1-2. TYPES

The six types of hand grenades are (Figure 1-1, page 1-2):

Fragmentation.

These

grenades

are

used

produce

casualties

high-velocity projection of fragments.

Illuminating. This grenade is used to provide illumination of terrain and

targets.

Chemical. These grenades are used for incendiary, screening, signaling,

training, or riot-control.

Offensive. This grenade is used for blast effect.

Practice and Training. These grenades are for training personnel in use, care

and handling of service grenades.

Nonlethal. This grenade is used for diversionary purposes or when lethal

force is not desired.

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Figure 1-1. Types of hand grenades.

1-3. COMPONENTS

The hand grenade is made up of three components:

Body. The body contains filler and, in certain grenades, fragmentation.

Filler. The filler is composed of a chemical or explosive substance.

Fuse Assembly. The fuse causes the grenade to ignite or explode by

detonating the filler.

1-4. MECHANICAL FUNCTION

All U.S. hand grenades function in a similar manner. The sequence for the mechanical

functioning of the M67 fragmentation hand grenade is as follows.

a. Remove Safety Clip and Safety Pin. First remove the safety clip, then the safety

pin, from the fuse by pulling the pull ring. Be sure to maintain pressure on the safety

lever--it springs free once the safety clip and the safety pin assembly is removed.

b. Release Pressure on Lever. Once the grenade is thrown, the pressure on the

safety lever is released, and the striker is forced to rotate on its axis by the striker spring,

throwing the safety lever off. The striker then detonates the primer, and the primer

explodes and ignites the delay element. The delay element burns for the prescribed

amount of time then activates either the detonator or the igniter. The detonator or igniter

acts to either explode or burn the filler substance (Figure 1-2).

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FM 3-23.30

Figure 1-2. Mechanical functioning.

1-5. FUSES

The two types of fuses used in current U.S. hand grenades are detonating and igniting.

Both function in the same manner; the difference is how they activate the filler substance.

a. Detonating Fuse. Detonating fuses explode within the grenade body to initiate

the main explosion of the filler substance. Detonating fuses include the M213 and M228.

(1) M213 Detonating Fuse. The M213 detonating fuse (Figure 1-3, page 1-4), which

has a safety clip, is designed for use with the M67 fragmentation grenade. The standard

delay element is a powder train requiring 4 to 5 seconds to burn to the detonator. In some

cases, the delay element may vary from less than 4 seconds to more than 5 seconds due to

defective fuses.

WARNING

If pressure on the safety lever is relaxed after the

safety clip and safety pin have been removed, the

striker can rotate and strike the primer while the

thrower is still holding the grenade. This is called

“milking” the grenade. Throwers must be

instructed to maintain enough pressure on the

safety lever so the striker cannot rotate.

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FM 3-23.30

Figure 1-3. M213 detonating fuse.

(2) M228 Fuse. The M228 detonating fuse (Figure 1-4) is used with the M69 practice

grenade to replicate the fuse delay of the M67 fragmentation hand grenade. The time

delay element is a powder train with a 4- to 5-second delay burn. In some cases, the delay

element may vary from less than 4 seconds to more than 5 seconds due to defective fuses.

Figure 1-4. M228 detonating fuse.

b. Igniting Fuse. Igniting fuses are used with chemical hand grenades. They burn at

high temperatures and ignite the chemical filler. The M201A1 igniting fuse (Figure 1-5)

is used with the AN-M8 HC and M83 TA white smoke grenade, the AN-M14 TH3

incendiary grenade, M83 TA practice smoke grenade, MA3 riot control grenade, and the

M18 colored smoke grenade. This fuse is interchangeable with any standard firing

device. The time delay element is a powder train requiring 1.2 to 2 seconds to burn to the

igniter. The igniter ignites the filler or a pyrotechnic starter with a violent burning action

and expels the filler from the grenade body.

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FM 3-23.30

Figure 1-5. M201A1 igniting fuse.

c. Fuse Safety Clip. The safety clip prevents the safety lever from springing loose

even if the safety pin assembly is accidentally removed. All hand grenades do not have

safety clips. However, safety clips are available through Class V ammunition supply

channels for some types of grenades (NSN 1330-00-183-5996). The safety clip is

adaptable to the M26- and M67–series grenades and the M69 practice grenade.

Figure 1-6 (page 1-6) illustrates the adjustment instructions. The safety clip installation

instructions are as follows:

(1) Hold the fused grenade in the palm of the hand with the pull ring up.

(2) Insert the small loop at the open end of the safety clip in the slot of the fuse body

beneath the safety lever.

(3) Press the clip across the safety lever until the closed end of the clip touches the

safety lever and snaps securely into place around it.

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