10 surprising facts about the handle of the Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle
Attention to detail matters in most parts of life, but nowhere more so than in manufacturing weapons for use in combat. That’s why we put an enormous amount of thought into each and every component of our Carl-Gustaf® system – right down to the carrying handle. Here are 10 facts you probably didn’t know about the handle on our famous 84mm recoilless rifle.
1. The earliest Carl-Gustaf models had no handle at all
If you have seen or used a Carl-Gustaf system in recent years, you might assume that the distinctive handle on top of the launch tube has always been there. That’s not the case. The first Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle was produced in the 1940s, and while its basic function was the same as today’s, it lacked some of the more sophisticated features.
Back then, soldiers used an adjustable carrying strap to transport the rifle while on the move. It wasn’t until the arrival of the M3 version of the weapon in 1986 that a carrying handle became a standard feature.
2. The handle is designed for easy transportation on the battlefield
Carl-Gustaf systems have always been lightweight, and a carrying strap is a practical way for soldiers to transport the weapon relatively long distances. But listening to feedback from customers, we realised that inside combat zones where soldiers are under intense pressure, a more agile system was needed. The handle that we introduced on the M3 version allowed troops to easily carry the Carl-Gustaf in their hands as they made their way through all sorts of environments, such as crawling through windows and rubble in battle-destroyed urban warzones. This allows for even quicker deployment of the weapon and a greater chance of mission success.
3. The handle was significantly improved between the M3 and M4
We’re always listening to feedback and trying to improve our products. While the handle on the M3 was a major step up, there was room for improvement. Users reported that the handle aperture was a little too snug when soldiers were wearing thick winter gloves.
There was also feedback that the points where the handle attached to the launch tube could be strengthened to be better suited to extreme battle conditions. We listened, and for the M4, which was launched in 2014, we increased the handle aperture and the strength of attachment points.
4. The handle is designed to enable the weapon to be easily passed from one soldier to another
In combat, troops need to work together effectively. A soldier who has been carrying a Carl-Gustaf system might sometimes need to pass it to their squad mate so that he or she can take the kill shot. So that no one has to grasp the launch tube when the system is passed from one person to another, we designed the handle to accommodate two hands simultaneously. This allows for a quick and seamless transfer of the weapon, reducing the risk of dropping it and increasing the speed of response to threats.
5. The handle is designed to quietly fold up and down
Another change between the M3 and M4 versions of the Carl-Gustaf was the ability to fold the handle down when not in use. To reduce the risk of the handle snagging when not it’s not needed, brackets were installed on either side that allow it to be tidily stowed against the launch tube. Because the Carl-Gustaf is often carried by soldiers undertaking stealth operations, the handle is designed to move up and down with minimum noise and effort. The handle itself is made from lightweight glass-fibre-reinforced thermoplastic.
6. The handle allows you to shift hand position depending on whether a round is in the rifle
Its builtin safety system enables the Carl-Gustaf M4 to be carried whilst loaded, this means the centre of balance of the weapon changes depending on what type of round has been placed within the launch tube or whether the system is empty. This means the ideal location to lift the weapon and have good control of it while moving can vary. The handle of the M4 takes this variation into account and is big enough for soldiers to find exactly the right location for carrying in accordance with the weight of the round. That equates to being able to move more smoothly throughout the battle zone.
7. Testing the handle involved real humans
Sometimes the old-fashioned ways are the best. Real hands are used to transport the Carl-Gustaf in the field, so we used real hands in the laboratory to see how well the handle coped with stress. Part of the pre-release testing process involved attaching weights to a Carl-Gustaf M4 that increased its mass by 2.5 times. Human beings then lifted the weapon by the handle 1000 times, demonstrating that it had the resilience required for battlefield use.
8. The handle Is designed not to slip out of soldiers hands
Losing your grip on your weapon in the battlefield is a highly undesirable outcome. To reduce the risk of this happening, the handle includes numerous grooves, improving grip with gloved and naked hands in most conditions.
Nothing was left to chance. The surface of the handle is roughened to fall precisely between finishes VDI33 and VDI39 on the standard set by the Society of German Engineers.
9. The handle can accommodate just about any adult hand
Human beings come in a range of shapes and sizes. Hands can range from petite to almost the size of a baseball glove. Our understanding of ergonomics enabled us to create a design that can accommodate just about any adult human hand. That’s regardless of whether they are wearing thick gloves in a polar environment or thin hand protection in a desert or jungle.
10. Any future Carl-Gustaf systems will make use of user feedback to make the handle even better
We’re proud of the current Carl-Gustaf handle. But there’s always room for improvement. If and when Saab produces a new version of the weapon, we will incorporate customer feedback in the design of the next handle. Potential design changes may involve even lighter, stronger materials.
Or perhaps, even quieter and more reliable brackets. Whatever direction we take, it is sure to improve the handling experience for the soldier that uses the weapon.