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RPG-7
Model: Ручной (Hand-held) Противотанковый (Anti-Tank) Гранатомёт,(Grenade Launcher) [RPG-7]The successor to the RPG-2, the RPG-7 was first introduced in 1961. Only ten years later, it saw widespread use in the Vietnam war, proving itself a devastating weapon against the lightly armored American vehicles, as well as being more accurate and tactically flexible than the RPG-2. It became the most common Rocket Propelled Grenade in the world, being used by over forty nations, and produced by nine. It has countless variants used in nearly every modern conflict, from the Vietcong, to the Muhajadeen in the Soviet-Afghan conflict (the usage of which was so effective the Russians had to resort to driving out of RPG and AK range) and even by Somali militia to shoot down two UH-60 helicopters in the Battle of Mogadishu.
In addition to a HEAT round, anti personnel, thermobaric and tandem HEAT were quickly made, keeping the launcher updated with the times, and there is even a starlight and thermal sight available for the launcher. Russia still uses modified RPG-7s as frontline rocket launchers, and many third-world armies heavily rely on RPGs.
Where to find:
The RPG-7 is easily the most common RPG in the world, so parts and launchers are not very hard to find. The main issue is quality control with aging weapons and ammunition, which can be quite dangerous to the shooter.
Complexity:
Like the RPG-2, the RPG-7 is essentially a long tube with a percussion mechanism mounted to it. Though the RPG-7 has some useful additions like a venturi nozzle and improved sights, it's no more difficult to use, and far more damaging.
Size and weight:
Weight 246 ounces (7kg) unloaded. Length 950mm.*
*The barrel is essentially the full length of the weapon as the rocket extends almost to the end of the tube.
Action: Muzzle-loading recoiless gun / rocket launcher hybrid. Percussion fired.
Caliber(s):
Like the RPG-2, the internal bore is 40mms wide, the standard PG-7V rocket being 85mms wide. The rocket has a booster unit which is screwed on to the base of the rocket. Unlike the PG-2, this booster also carries a stabilizer assembly that opens during flight. When fired, the booster ejects the rocket clear of the launcher, it's sustainer motor igniting roughly forty feet from the launcher, and carrying it out to 900 meters before self destructing. The standard warheads have been defeated by slat armor or even chain link fencing in the past, the links squeezing the sides of the warhead and shorting out the detonation circuit.
To the left is a number of rockets available for the RPG-7. From left to right, there is Tandem HEAT, designed to defeat the reactive armor used in modern tanks, HEAT, the original warhead, Thermobaric, which uses a Fuel-Air reaction to create a wave of expanding heat and energy, and Fragmentation, designed to target infantry.
Magazine:
N/A
Trigger:
Single action external hammer.
Controls:
The controls are mainly in the grip, an external hammer on the rear that was cocked before pulling the trigger. The safety is cross bolt, pushed from right to left to fire, and left to right for safe. The sights on the RPG-7 make it impossible to fire left handed.
There is a large venturi nozzle for backblast. Sights are a set of fold-up irons, though a telescopic sight is typical. Some versions lack the second grip, and some also dissemble into two halves for transport.
Loading: How to load the firearm and make ready to fire.
Though a little safer than the RPG-2, the RPG-7 was still carried most often without a rocket loaded. In any case, hammer down, safety on, and safety pin in place until ready to shoot.
Gunner with Assistant
1) Gunner shoulders the launcher, ensuring the weapon is on safe and the hammer is not in the cocked position.
2) Assistant screws the booster unit snug into the bottom of the grenade.
3) Assistant starts the booster into the muzzle and eases the grenade into the weapon. The fins should be sealed shut from the factory.
4) Assistant turns the grenade clockwise until the post in the grenade lines up with the notch in the weapon, and fully seats it. He then removes the safety pin from the warhead.
5) Gunner cocks the hammer and deactivates the safety. Assistant checks the backblast area, then backs way several feet.
6) Gunner either uses the fold-up iron sights or the telesopic sight to gauge the range, then fires.*
Gunner without Assistant1) Ensure the weapon is on safe and the hammer is not in the cocked position.
2) Screw the booster unit snug into the bottom of the grenade.
3) Start the booster into the muzzle, slowly ease the grenade into the weapon. The fins should be sealed shut from the factory.
4) Turn the grenade clockwise until the post in the grenade lines up with the notch in the weapon, and fully seat it.
5) Shoulder the weapon, so that the tube extends over your shoulder. Check the area behind to see if anything will be damaged by the backblast. Remove the safety pin from the warhead.
6) **** the hammer and deactivate the safety.
7) Use the fold up iron sights or the telescopic sight to gauge the range on the target, then fire.*
*One of the RPG'7s main quirk is that it turns into the wind. The large stabilizer fins offer a lot of wind resistance, so they get pushed by the incoming wind and point the grenade into it, rather than the head of the grenade being pushed away, like most designs. This has to be considered at longer ranges.Unloading:
RPGs are not designed to be readily unloaded, but there isn't anything actually holding the rocket in place, so it's hypothetically a matter of easing out the rocket, then removing the booster. Since it isn't sure if an RPG will be fired, this is why it's absolutely essential to leave the weapon safed and uncocked until it is certain it will be fired. Hang onto the safety pin!
Field Stripping:
How to take down the weapon for cleaning, with pictures if possible.
Design Quirks:
As said above, the RPG turns into the wind instead of being pushed by it. It's most effective within three hundred meters, though there have been cases of some shooters even using the self destruct at 900 meters to engage aircraft. It is a close quarter specialist, it's two-stage launch cutting the amount of backblast to the extent it has been fired from within buildings.
John_234 |
Latest page update: made by John_234
, Oct 15 2011, 11:38 PM EDT
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