The New Russian GP-46 Underbarrel Grenade Launcher (40x46mm)

Kalashnikov Concern released a new AK underbarrel grenade launcher called GP-46 (ГП-46). The new launcher is chambered in 40x46mm. Yes, that’s the NATO 40mm low-velocity round, not the Russian 40mm caseless round used in other GP series of underbarrel grenade launchers like the GP-25, GP-30, and GP-34. But no, Russia is not adopting the NATO round as this is a product designed for a foreign customer.

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The GP-46 underbarrel grenade launcher is designed by Sergey Urzhumtsev, Head Designer of Kalashnikov Concern. The new UBGL can be attached to various AK rifles or used in a standalone configuration when installed on a grip/stock module which was introduced along with the launcher. The GP-46 launcher can be safely fired when there is a silencer installed on the gun.

In order to load the GP-46 or extract the fired case, the user must pivot the barrel to the right or left. Per manufacturer specs, the launcher has a rate of fire of 5 to 6 rounds per minute. The barrel release lever, safety selector and trigger are ambidextrous. The trigger is a lever located at the front portion of the mounting bracket. If you grab the barrel of the launcher like a handguard, your support hand thumb should rest right on the trigger.

The folding iron sights are graduated to 400 meters with 50-meter increments. The overall length of the GP-46 UBGL is 380mm (15”) and it weighs 1.6 kilograms (3.5 lbs).

At the moment of writing, it is unknown which country this launcher was designed for.

More pictures of the GP-46 can be found here: http://www.ak-info.ru/joomla/index.php/devices/18-akgrenade/278-gp46

Pictures by Kalashnikov Concern, www.kalashnikovgroup.ru