Ever have a day when everything you try goes up in your face? This footage shows a Russian soldier fitting and attempting to use a home-made muzzle device on his rifle to launch a grenade. While his injuries aren’t shown or discussed, this foray into weapons R & D does not go as planned.

The rifle grenade is a concept that, while flirted with in the era of muzzle-loaders, was first seriously employed during the First World War. Although they have largely been replaced by purpose-built grenade launchers in many modern armies, rifle grenades still remain viable and are used effectively in many conflicts. This is not one of those examples.

While it’s difficult to determine specifically what went wrong here, the most likely explanation is that either the soldier forgot to load a blank (typically used as propellant for the grenade), or the soldier assumed his grenade was of a type that can withstand a real bullet. While these exist, this was evidently not one. Oops.

 

About the Author

 

       

     

Cole Simms

     

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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