STRIM 40
The STRIM 40 is an anti-personnel rifle grenade of French design and manufacture.
In addition to being manufactured in France, it was also made under licence in Belgium by Mecar, with the designation "AP 32 Z", and an enhanced version with the designation "AP 32 ZA".[1]
It was propelled by being mounted atop a rifle's 22 mm grenade launching adapter, and being launched by a ballistite (blank) cartridge. In common with other rifle grenades of this era, they became obsolescent when the bullet trap form of propulsion became popular at the end of the 1970s.
Production had ceased in France by 1980.[2] Whilst the Belgian army went on to use the new generation of bullet trap grenades, Mecar did continue to manufacture it for export customers into the mid 1980s[3]
The Brazilian manufactured M2 anti-personnel and M3 anti-tank rifle grenades bear a strong similarity to the STRIM 40 and STRIM 65 respectively.
| STRIM 40 | |
|---|---|
| Type | rifle grenade |
| Place of origin | France[1] |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Belgium Rhodesia South Africa |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | STRIM, licence manufacture by Mecar |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 515 grams |
| Length | 315 mm |
| Diameter | 40 mm |
| Maximum firing range | 150 meters/effective |
Sources and references
- Archer, Denis H R, ed. (1976). "Grenades". Jane's Infantry Weapons (Second Edition) 1976. London: Macdonald and Jane's. pp. 391, 408. ISBN 978-0354005319.
- Weeks, John, ed. (1979). "Grenades". Jane's Infantry Weapons (Fifth Edition) 1979–80. London: Macdonald and Jane's. p. 331. ISBN 978-0531039052.
- Hogg, Ian V, ed. (1985). "Grenades". Jane's Infantry Weapons (Eleventh Edition) 1985–86. Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Information Group. p. 331. ISBN 978-0710608154.
External links
- A Rhodesian soldier with a practice STRIM 32Z being inspected in July 1969 by Ian Smith
- A French navy commando armed with a rifle grenade in Algeria
