List of recoilless rifles explained

This is a list of recoilless rifles (RCLs) intended to catalogue these lightweight infantry support weapons that allow the firing of a heavier projectile than would be practical with a recoiling artillery gun. Technically, only devices that use a rifled barrel are recoilless rifles. The smoothbore variants (those devoid of rifling) are termed recoilless guns. This distinction is often lost, and both are often called recoilless rifles.

Normally used for anti-tank roles, the first effective system of this kind was developed during World War II to provide infantry with a light, cheap and easily deployable weapon that does not require extensive training in gunnery. The near complete lack of recoil allows some versions to be shoulder-fired, but the majority are mounted on light tripods and are intended to be easily carried by a soldier.

SymbolSSSARE
MeaningSingle shotSemi-automaticRevolver
SymbolRCLATACN
MeaningRecoilless rifleAnti-tankAutocannon
NameManufacturerImageCartridgeTypeCountryYearSource
Rheinmetall RMK30Mauser30x250 mmRE
ACN
1993
M18 Recoilless Rifle57 mmSS
RCL
1942
SPG-973 mm (2.87 in) smoothboreSS
AT
1962
MinimanFFV Ordnance74 mmSS
AT
1968
LG 40Rheinmetall75×130 mm. R
75×200 mm. R
SS
RCL
1941
M2075 mmSS
RCL
1944
Breda FolgoreBreda Meccanica Bresciana80 mm (3.1 in) HEATSS
AT
1986
DZJ-08Norinco80 mmSS
AT
2008
B-10KBM82 mmSS
RCL
1954
M59Skoda82 mm1959[1]
ALACGESPI Aeronáutica84 mm
Thermobaric
SS
AT
2014
AT4Saab Bofors Dynamics84 mmSS
AT
1987
Carl Gustav recoilless rifleSaab Bofors Dynamics84 mmSS
AT
1946
55 S 5589 mmSS
AT
1955
RCL 3.45 inch GunBroadway Trust Company3.45 in (88 mm)SS
RCL
M673.54 in (90 mm)SS
RCL
1960s
Pvpj 1110Saab Bofors Dynamics90x760 mm HEATSS
RCL
1953
95 S 58-6195 mmSS
RCL
1958
LG 40Krupp105×155 mm. RSS
RCL
1942
LG 42Rheinmetall105×155 mm. RSS
RCL
1942
M40Watervliet Arsenal105×607 mmRSS
RCL
1950s
Model 1968 recoilless gunFabricaciones Militares105 mmSS
RCL
1968
B-11KBM107 mmSS
RCL
1954
L6 Wombat120 mm (4.7 in) HESHSS
RCL
1950s
M-60HEATSS
RCL
1960s
JagdfaustSA
RCL
M28/M29 "Davy Crockett" Nuclear Recoilless RifleSS
RCL
1956

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 82 mm recoilless gun - M59 Recoilless Gun - about 1959  . royalarmouries.org  . Royal Armouries . 28 October 2023 .