Post by rig on Feb 14, 2011 17:00:07 GMT -5
(Originally Posted by 79Stang)
Hello all,
I am writing this to try to answer some questions I was asked regarding the practicality, usefulness, and "tacticool" factor. Let me with begin what the grenadier role is and what it entails.
A grenadier (derived from the word grenade) was originally a specialized soldier, first established as a distinct role in the mid-to-late 17th century, for the throwing of grenades and sometimes assault operations.~ Wikipedia
In the modern sense a grenadier will be tasked with using the M203 40mm (or equivalent) grenade launcher system. This is not to say that the M203 is the only weapon system to fulfill the role, however, it is the most common. The other systems include, but are not limited too, M79, LAW, RPG7, etc. The idea is that the grenadier fulfills a special role and has more firepower than a standard rifleman.
Here is an example of an M203 on a M4, a very common sight in Airsoft.
There are a few things you should remember when choosing your grenade launcher.
1) How do you want to mount you launcher? I suggest a RIS mount as it allows for quick attachment/detachment, however a barrel mount system is the sturdiest.
2) For an M203, should I get a short or long type? This is up to you, however the military usually puts long types on M16s and short types on M4s.
3) Since you are adding a lot of weight to the front of your weapon, where is my battery located? You will need a battery regardless (unless you are using a GBBR) so placement becomes a factor. I highly suggest a butt stock or crane stock battery placement as it allows for better weight distribution.
4)If you are going to use a stand alone launcher (M79), how are you going to holster it?
Now, your saying to yourself, that looks cool or at least I dont want to be on the wrong end of that. This is the shock and awe affect or the "tacticool" aspect of any specialty role brings out, especially to newer players. You just need to remember that while they look cool their effectiveness is dependent on the experience of the player and the amount of grenades they have.
This brings me to the next part of the grenadier role that is often over looked. GRENADES!!!
I am not going to tell you which grenades to buy, that is your choice, but there are a few points that you need to know when selecting you grenades.
1) The lower the grenade capacity they tighter the grouping at distance.
2) The higher the BB count, the greater the dispersion.
3)Make sure you fully understand how to fix your grenades, because you will need to maintain them.
4)Grenades use lots of gas, a propane or CO2 adapter is must.
5) If you use CO2, make sure your grenades can handle it.
6)You will need more than one grenade to be effective.
Now, the question you have all been asking yourself, Are grenadiers effective?
If the role is done correctly, grenades can be very effective and if the user is in the correct mindset. To be an effective grenadier you must have more than one grenade, otherwise you will either be too worried to use it in a critical situation or you will waste it. If you have more than one it allows you to use them more often, however you are still not going to have a large number so you can not simply "nade" everything in sight. It is important to remember what grenades are good at doing in their real steel counter part; one, taking out larger numbers of troops in the open; two, using indirect fire to take out enemy personnel; three, clear rooms or buildings before a team goes in.
Conclusion: The Grenadier is an important role in the military and airsoft. The grenade launcher is a force multiplier that allows one person to take on greater forces or deal with dangerous situations. If you do chose to be a grenadier, I would suggest mounting it to a RIS that way you can easily detach if you do not want to carry the extra weight. Also, you will need more than one grenade, I personally carry five. This amount seems to work well for short games, for bigger OPs I would suggest more. Finally, remember the launcher is a tool, it will not solve every problem, but it is an intimidating, it can be effective and it does not need to be an extra 3lbs that you simply stick on the end of you weapon just to look "tacticool".
Hello all,
I am writing this to try to answer some questions I was asked regarding the practicality, usefulness, and "tacticool" factor. Let me with begin what the grenadier role is and what it entails.
A grenadier (derived from the word grenade) was originally a specialized soldier, first established as a distinct role in the mid-to-late 17th century, for the throwing of grenades and sometimes assault operations.~ Wikipedia
In the modern sense a grenadier will be tasked with using the M203 40mm (or equivalent) grenade launcher system. This is not to say that the M203 is the only weapon system to fulfill the role, however, it is the most common. The other systems include, but are not limited too, M79, LAW, RPG7, etc. The idea is that the grenadier fulfills a special role and has more firepower than a standard rifleman.
Here is an example of an M203 on a M4, a very common sight in Airsoft.
There are a few things you should remember when choosing your grenade launcher.
1) How do you want to mount you launcher? I suggest a RIS mount as it allows for quick attachment/detachment, however a barrel mount system is the sturdiest.
2) For an M203, should I get a short or long type? This is up to you, however the military usually puts long types on M16s and short types on M4s.
3) Since you are adding a lot of weight to the front of your weapon, where is my battery located? You will need a battery regardless (unless you are using a GBBR) so placement becomes a factor. I highly suggest a butt stock or crane stock battery placement as it allows for better weight distribution.
4)If you are going to use a stand alone launcher (M79), how are you going to holster it?
Now, your saying to yourself, that looks cool or at least I dont want to be on the wrong end of that. This is the shock and awe affect or the "tacticool" aspect of any specialty role brings out, especially to newer players. You just need to remember that while they look cool their effectiveness is dependent on the experience of the player and the amount of grenades they have.
This brings me to the next part of the grenadier role that is often over looked. GRENADES!!!
I am not going to tell you which grenades to buy, that is your choice, but there are a few points that you need to know when selecting you grenades.
1) The lower the grenade capacity they tighter the grouping at distance.
2) The higher the BB count, the greater the dispersion.
3)Make sure you fully understand how to fix your grenades, because you will need to maintain them.
4)Grenades use lots of gas, a propane or CO2 adapter is must.
5) If you use CO2, make sure your grenades can handle it.
6)You will need more than one grenade to be effective.
Now, the question you have all been asking yourself, Are grenadiers effective?
If the role is done correctly, grenades can be very effective and if the user is in the correct mindset. To be an effective grenadier you must have more than one grenade, otherwise you will either be too worried to use it in a critical situation or you will waste it. If you have more than one it allows you to use them more often, however you are still not going to have a large number so you can not simply "nade" everything in sight. It is important to remember what grenades are good at doing in their real steel counter part; one, taking out larger numbers of troops in the open; two, using indirect fire to take out enemy personnel; three, clear rooms or buildings before a team goes in.
Conclusion: The Grenadier is an important role in the military and airsoft. The grenade launcher is a force multiplier that allows one person to take on greater forces or deal with dangerous situations. If you do chose to be a grenadier, I would suggest mounting it to a RIS that way you can easily detach if you do not want to carry the extra weight. Also, you will need more than one grenade, I personally carry five. This amount seems to work well for short games, for bigger OPs I would suggest more. Finally, remember the launcher is a tool, it will not solve every problem, but it is an intimidating, it can be effective and it does not need to be an extra 3lbs that you simply stick on the end of you weapon just to look "tacticool".
