Questions about Grenades and Launchers

[The Guardian]

I'm thinking about purchasing some 40mm (or similar) grenades and building a launcher from PVC and aluminum or similar metal. However, I have a few questions before I do...

First, do the grenades have a simple pressure-release button on the back, or is it a more complex device that will require a more complex launcher?

Second, what is the difference between the King Arms M433 HEDP and the M381 HE VN cartridges?

Also, will loaded BBs fall out of the grenade when turned upside-down?

Last, how easily are the grenades fired? Is there a chance of them accidentally going off when stored in a pouch?

[I Slap Fat Kids]

I don't personally have a grenade but I do know that most (if not all) 40mm airsoft grenades have a small button to fire them (like gas gun magazines) and the bbs don't usually fall out if its turned upside down.

[madcatjoe]

First, do the grenades have a simple pressure-release button on the back, or is it a more complex device that will require a more complex launcher?

very simple. all you need is something to push on the small "pin" on the back of the grenade. they can even be fired by hand. a simple rod attached to a trigger will work perfectly.

Second, what is the difference between the King Arms M433 HEDP and the M381 HE VN cartridges?

style, and bb capacity. the M433 in reality is high explosive, dual purpose (for use againse infantry, vehicles, and protected positions, as it is armor piercing) while the M381 is a high explosive only shell (for use against infantry, explodes on contact)
capacity depends on the round, i believe that the red ones hold 120, and the blue hold 60. not sure, check on that.

Also, will loaded BBs fall out of the grenade when turned upside-down?

no, not if your O ring is intact.

Last, how easily are the grenades fired? Is there a chance of them accidentally going off when stored in a pouch?

easily, and no. it is not too hard to fire them with a deliberate push on the pin, but otherwise, they should not go off. i carry anywhere from 5-11 grenades on me for every game, and never once has one gone off in my pouch. HOWEVER, i have had rounds go off as i load them into the tube, due to cold weather reducing the seal inside. this shouldnt be a problem in arizona

and finally, i have 3 shells for sale:
http://www.airsoftarizona.com/forumbb/v ... hp?t=21718
ask me any more questions you may have, i knwo everything there is to know about the m203
-Joe

[Whiskey11]

If you are building a launcher from "PVC or other materials" why dont you consider making a rocket launcher of some sort and using Nerf Pocket Vortexes as projectiles?  These are commonly used in place of BB shot as the range is more realistic to that of a real launched grenade compared to the awesomely short range of bb shot?

Madcat answered your questions, i thought I'd throw my inflated .02$ in.

[The Guardian]

Thanks for all of your responses. The information is quite useful

Matcatjoe, I'd buy your grenades, but they are kinda low-cap for what I want to use them for (flushing people out of thin, natural cover). Thanks for linking them though

Whiskey, I will probably do that when I find a use for such a thing. I have yet to find a location with an airsoft scenario that uses props such as vehicles. Unfortunately, the alternative of having people abide by say... a 20' blast radius is rather difficult - particularly since I tend to be a night/stealth-fighter.

A few more questions... First, is there a place that I can buy the following product from for a similar price without having to order from overseas? If not, just how reliable is AEG Arms as a company? Also, what is the overall quality of the product? http://www.aegarms.com/display_pdetail.php?pid=2580

Next, measurements... Does the 40mm refer to the diameter of the middle of the grenade, or where it is extended at the base? If this is the diameter of the base, what is the diameter of the middle of the grenade?

Last, just how safe is propane? Is there another, safer gas I can use?

[madcatjoe]

40mm denotes the diameter of the grenade... not the radius. HOWEVER< it is illegal to constuct a launcher with a bore of 40mm for civilian use, so even airsoft launchers have a 37mm bore, as do the grenades. a real m203 grenade will not even fit in a airsoft launcher
those grenades have been discontinued for a while. good luck
use either propane or green gas, thats all i recommend. anything else (unless you have CO2 shells, thats great too) is not reliable
-Joe

[The Guardian]

I said diameter Radius was referring to blast radius for the use of Nerf Howlers and the like. Thank you for the warning on 40mm launchers though (that could have gotten ugly), and for the actual measurement of the grenades.

As for the discontinuance... Damn >_< I guess I'll have to buy a more expensive grenade...

[madcatjoe]

i know... i was just saying. the base and grenade have a very similar diameter, but is different for each grenade. its all about 37mm
as far as nades, try ebay... or keep searching the forums.
best deal id say is the G&P 18 rounders, supplemented witha  few higher cap shells, such as madbull 922 120 rounders.
i carry 2 18 rounders, 4 120 rounders, and 2 96 rounders on me when i play, sometimes an additional 3 18 rounders too.
-Joe

[The Guardian]

Will do. One more question though... Can all grenade shells use CO2 instead of propane (provided I have an adapter), or do they have to be designed to use CO2?

[madcatjoe]

no. the orings arent storng enough, thye are usually only designed for green/propane. certain types are made for CO2, like the madbull 204 HP
-Joe

[The Guardian]

Doh... Alright, thanks again!

[Polie]

heres some plans for a LAW for you:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Airsoft ... -launcher/

[The Guardian]

I figured I could always add an attachment to my M203 so that it could function in a similar manner if I ever wanted to fire Nerf stuff Thanks for the instructables link though!