United States Marines have the opportunity to train with a wide array of weapons. From standard-issue firearms to massive military vehicles, these highly trained men and women have the expertise to utilize just about everything in order to get the job done.
One of the more interesting weapons used by the military is the M32A1 launcher. Capable of shooting off six grenades in quick succession, the weapon offers some serious firepower against the enemy.
Check out some Marines practicing using the M321A1 in the video below:
According to the video’s uploader, the soldiers featured in the clip are from the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The team is Marine Air-Ground Task Force which conducts operations ranging from disaster relief to high-intensity combat. The troops are stationed at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan
In the video, the soldiers can be seen firing off practice rounds at the missile range. Although the clip lacks the awesome explosions one might expect from a grenade, this is just a practice session after all.
Their efforts ensure that they can shoot accurately and also retain the utmost knowledge and understanding regarding their weapon.
Marines with various major subordinate commands in III Marine Expeditionary Force conduct live-fire training with the M32A1 multi-shot grenade launchers on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. (MilitaryFrontline/YouTube)
The M32A1 is a variation of the widely-used Milkor MGL, or Multiple Grenade Launcher. The six-shot revolver-type grenade launcher was originally introduced in the early 1980s and has been adopted by countless military forces around the world.
Marines with various major subordinate commands in III Marine Expeditionary Force conduct live-fire training with the M32A1 multi-shot grenade launchers on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. (MilitaryFrontline/YouTube)
The weapon uses 40mm grenades that can be launched some 400 yards effectively. It has a relatively fast rate of fire – around 3 rounds per second – and a sustained rate of fire of more than 20 rounds per minute when reloaded.
Marines with various major subordinate commands in III Marine Expeditionary Force conduct live-fire training with the M32A1 multi-shot grenade launchers on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. (MilitaryFrontline/YouTube)
The variation of the launcher showcased in the video is the short barrel version introduced in 2014. In addition to offering a more compact design, the United States Marine Corps opted to strengthen the receiver, stock, and other parts of the gun. Along with changes to the weapon itself, the military has sought to introduce high-pressure medium velocity rounds as well.
While the Marine Corps is the branch that uses the M32A1 the most, the United States Special Operations Command also incorporated the launcher into their training as well.
