STRIM 40 explained

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
Origin:France
Type:Rifle grenade
Is Explosive:yes
Is Uk:yes
Used By:Belgium
Rhodesia
South Africa
Manufacturer:STRIM, licence manufacture by Mecar
Weight:515g
Length:315mm
Diameter:40mm
Max Range:150m (490feet)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Archer, Denis H R. Jane's Infantry Weapons (Second Edition) 1976 . 1976 . Grenades . 391, 408 . Macdonald and Jane's . London . 978-0354005319 .
  2. Book: Weeks, John. Jane's Infantry Weapons (Fifth Edition) 1979–80 . 1979 . Grenades . 331 . Macdonald and Jane's . London . 978-0531039052 .
  3. Book: Hogg, Ian V. Jane's Infantry Weapons (Eleventh Edition) 1985–86 . 1985 . Grenades . 331 . Jane's Information Group . Coulsdon, Surrey . 978-0710608154 .