Ukraine's Standalone Stock for GP-25 Grenade Launcher
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- Опубликовано: 4 мар 2023
- We previously looked at Ukrainian company Black Storm's bullpup conversion kit. Black Storm have also developed a kit to adapt the GP-25 into a stand alone grenade launcher.
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armourersbench.com/2023/03/05...
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I believe there are several reason for using GP-25 separate from AK-74: incompatibility with aftermarket handguards & front grips; high recoil of GP slowly destroys the rifle itself & kills the mounted optics at much faster rate; mounted GP makes the rifle heavier and bulkier.
Recently the Canadian Government banned 1500 types of "assault style" weapons including grenade launchers. Strangely, GP 25s are exempt because the muzzle velocity is under. 500 fps. I should look into buying one, especially with the stand alone stock
We all know you can only commit assault (on national sovereignty) with M203 grenade launchers but not GP25. Go canada!
It's like rating a vehicle's danger by how fast it goes, where bulldozers are considered harmless.
Are yes, our “dear leader”, he is all knowing and wise…well, he is if you are a blind sheep.
@@ErraticHail LOL
@@snakeoo7ca Armalytics lists it as not prohibited. Basically it falls under 84(3), the same passage that deals with BB guns and air rifles. Incidentally, the Bazooka is also captured by the same rule. Ammo is another matter. Chalk trainer rounds are one matter but HE Frag is under a different legislative regime altogether.
This is pretty neat. Just a few months ago Jonathan Ferguson was covering the guns of MGS V, which has a fictional standalone GP25 in a stock kit like this. None existed at the time, and now here we are!
Same as the half life MP5 with grenade launcher
Standalone adapters for Soviet GLs have been around for a while. Look up the RGM-40 Kastet from the late 90s
One thing of note is that the GP-25/GP-30 needs a standard AK handguard for it to be mounted properly. Its likely that some of the Defender kids being used alongside AKs is due to their aftermarket furniture (say with M-LOK or PicRail handguards) which make regular appearances in the hands of UA troops rendering the standard launcher mounting option impossible.
Yeah a good point, more and more guys running aftermarket stuff.
I can personally confirm this.
IIRC Zenitco B10 handguards can accept a GP25
@@beakiethegoon4439 They do yeah. They may be one of the few that can though.
Aftermarket mods were non-existent when GP was put in service
That's hilarious! The German chap displayed himself like a GI Joe doll with his kit. 🤣
5:32 The rubber buttpads differ only because they're sourced from different existing guns/supplies. The Defender buttpad is a standard AK grenade launching add-on buttpad, ubiquitous and cheap in the CIS. That's why the guy who captured it takes it off casually and passes it on (since it's a useful, modular accessory for an AK-pattern).
The makeshift (crudely formed and sawn) stock on the left uses the same buttpad (so-called "Galosha", like a rubber overboot). And the one on the right just uses an off-the-shelf hunting shotgun cushioning buttpad, available as options for many guns on the market.
I love this video, and between this and the last black storm video has made me subscribe to their RUclips channel...
Because now I'm emotionally invested in this company, and want one of the bullpup chassis for my 47... Once the war is over, as none of the parts are legally firearms in the US, so I don't see why they can't be imported
Their site even has a 98% satisfied customer rating....
That's better than some US manufacturers
In a similar vein I'm hoping for Malyuk parts kits/builds to make their way over at some point.
@@5t3v0esque I agree with that too, I wanna make a Ukrainian collection
Ukraine banned export of domestically produced military stuff many years ago, after 2014 invasion. That’s why you can’t buy one in the US.
@@_falc0n I figured... Which is why I mentioned after the war.. as there's seriously no parts that the ATF could consider a firearm and a huge market in the US... I'm gonna guess after the war the US will be the biggest importer of such aftermarket items...
And probably a ton of kit guns... The AK74 market will be flooded with furniture and everything...
The minute they get Russia out... I've already got the site bookmarked..
After I have a few drinks with my Ukrainian friends it'll be the first thing I remember to do.. after a week of drinking
I love that we spent a while trying to ID these kits in grainy footage before the edit 😅 another great vid
Hahah your grainy footage interpretation help is always appreciated.
@@TheArmourersBench any time mate 👏👏
The weight on that is nice! That said even with the recoil buffering system I bet the recoil is sharp
2:33 That separatist is flagging the shit out of his buddy and even points the launcher at him multiple times.
Excellent coverage on this, thank you
Thank you! Thanks for watching.
Great video!
GP-25 is also caseless which is pretty cool.
well its also muzzle loaded,
probably the only modern muzzle loaded weapon still in use
Calling it "caseless" is a bit of a stretch.
@@zoiders It has no case therefore it's caseless. I'm not sure what you are getting at? There is no extraction after the round has been fired.
@@Punisher9419 "Caseless" implies a projectile embedded in a combustible block.
@@zoiders not really, s&w volcanic had a similiar caseless cartdige with powder inside a hollow projectile
Some of my friends are looking at getting these since they were issued gp25s but they don't have any AKs to mount them to since they're using the bren rifles.
Seems worth trying.
It would interesting to see if a picatinny/red dot combination would work on the offset sight.
Those aren't used because there's no drop off compensation
Reminds me of how we rock the 320 in the US Army, very few guys actually use it underbarrel, I know I never did when I was issued one.
why not?
@@correctionguy7632 the 320 is pretty heavy for its size, and that weight on the front of the rifle made it feel sluggish. Also its shape makes it annoying to get a good prone position in my experience. Whenever I tried it under barrel i always seems to smack it on stuff, in the end it was just easier to have it strapped to my assault pack or on its own little sling.
I love how the soldiers are looking at the grenade launcher like cave men seeing fire for the first time 😅. Really interesting piece of equipment though
Nice video ❤🎉
makes sence to have it as a standalone weapon as you dont want too have too carrie an AK or any other rifle for along period of time with extra weight on it
Throwback to that old pic of a GP-25 connected to a wooden board with wires
Classic
7:38
For those unaware minus the defender, and the 74 instead being a 47, that's the typical American households guns...
Including the extra AR "bathroom doorstop upper"
(For those who cannot tell, this is *sarcasm* we use our 1911s as doorstops because then they're useful, and can't picture our 9mm as it's always concealed)
Not all Americans!!! Some of us have overcome such barbaric methods!!! We know that a rifle is the proper toilet gun! It is important to adapt your threat model to shit with the operating environment. Mid-dump engagements confront us with a number of unique challenges and opportunities. Failing to account for which could lead to a model of operational space unable to accurately integrate the state of actual operational space. Mobility, for instance, is highly dependent on variable Poop factors of consistency & viscosity (v(x), c(x), & c(v(x)). Do do the math and you’ll see just how degraded your mobility is likely to be. This alone should convince you that precise, long-range fire, as deployed from a fixed position, is a vastly superior tactical posture for the modern, porcelain battlefield.
@@williambrasky3891 hey that's why I keep my level 4 body armor behind the toilet door... Put it on before you pull your pants down
And you call yourself american... The 1911 is there in case my concealed Glock runs out of ammo before I can get to my NFA full auto AR shelf by the towels for the shower
Gosh it's like you've not been to any real Americans Airbnb
I use Hi-points as hammers, and 5.56 for vermin control as it's only a .22 bullet
@@ErraticHail a high-point will still work after being used as a hammer... And wasn't the .222(basis for 223) a varmint cartridge anyway?
And using guns as tools? That's just crazy! Don't let the ATF know or pretty soon they'll require serial numbers on stampers, hammers, brooms, and will require a 200$ tax stamp on an automatic room sweeper like a Roomba
Guns being used as tools, recreation and for sport... who'd ever of thought of such a crazy idea? Don't let those who make laws know, or they'll have one less thing to try and ban to use to get elected
5:50 Glad gotta love how Belarus uses the same electronic ear pro as me lol. Howard Leight fo life!
the defender reminds me of the M302 but of course, they are different systems with different requirements.
I just want to ask how are the GP-25 and M203 systems used in their respective armies? I've seen something that the range difference that both systems can fire up to reflects the strategies used by the Soviets and Western militaries.
Usually every squad will have a mg gunner with his assistant, and rpg with his assitant, a SL, a marksman and 2-3 extra rifleman. Depending on the unit (infantry, mechanized, etc) it will change, but usually the m302 and gp25 is used exactly the same, for indirect fire on the enemy at longer distances than a hand grenade but shorter than mortars.
What range difference do you mean? Are you talking about the medium power longer range 40mm US grenades? Best people to look at for 40mm systems are the South Africans...imo.
very cool
doesn't surprise me that units would prefer using it as a seperate platform even if their AKs can mount it, I believe the USMC began doing that with their M320s around the time they mass adopted the M27 and modern shooting grips aren't typically compatible with UBLs
I can see why you might want to lighten your rifle to make it more pointable and carriable but a standalone launcher can also be passed around the squad too!
@@TheArmourersBench Or left in the wagon, and/or swapped for another disposable ATRL if that's what the situation demands.
Exactly, good points!
All good points, I carried the M203, years ago on the M16A1, what a heavy and awkward thing. Would both a rifle and a launcher be any better?
@@jfu5222 Suspect it comes down to sling design. Can you come up with a rig that keeps the GL out of the way when you're using your rifle, but also lets you bring the GL into action without doing something elaborate to 'stow' your rifle?
You should do a video on all the different optics in Ukraine
I wouldn't know where to start! There's so many ranging from Holosuns to ACOGs to Pulsar NV and ATN THOR thermals and that's not even thinking about the precision rifle optics! I will keep it in mind though, I'd definitely need help with that one though.
@@TheArmourersBench
Personally, I would love to see something on the close-range optics (Red Dots and Holographic).
Despite the Russian military industry developing several optics, I've seen predominantly American or Chinese sights being used by the Russian side. That's if they use any at all
7:38 holy high quality batman! You just made every gun subreddit drool so hard that we need a second hoover dam
I need this kit for my airsoft loadout.
Looks like a great weapon system. Small and compact. Recoil spring seems to work well. I personally would like a hand stop as your fingers are rather close to the muzzle. Kind of an issue with the original design though so understandable.
It gives that Glock brace kit vibes
Good idea because the GP25 tends to beat AKs to death over time.
GP-25 has to be my favourite grenade launcher so to see a stand alone stock is great!
Could the Black Storm Defender also be used with the later GP-30 and GP-34?
Telescope the stock, foldable handle; it could be retained in a holster.
Like a little skorpion
Safety concerns of a muzzle loader aside, the form factor and compactness of GP25 is objectively superior. Ammunition choice compared to 40x46mm is however lacking.
Lacking in what practical way? VOG rounds seem to cover most uses, no? The US doesn't have a bouncing frag afaik...cheaper than using electric proximity fuze as well. Seems to follow the make it simple, cheap and in vast quantities the Russians like to go for.
Thats actually pretty cool.
The under barrel style of GL seems to be losing out to stand alone versions in general. The total weight savings is small, just the extra stock really, and the weight is directly bolted to the rifle all the time instead of in a pack.
What would be cool would be a way to store it with the stock collapsed. It would make a very handy weapon.
Easier to aim and load with it being in Stand Alone configuration.
5:42 dat slab side mag tho....
It belongs in a museum
Could these work better with a (somewhat) longer barrel when used by themselves?
Cool beans
5:39 is that one of those super old-school slabsided magazines? Like the original AK mags?
Certainly looks like a slabside.
Can you do the fort 600 40mm grenade launcher
I will add it to my to-do list. Thanks for watching.
That rifle in the very beginning looks cumbersome.
Check out my video on that here ruclips.net/video/Elu3KZKdBOc/видео.html
This reminds me of the Russian RGM-40 Kastet, stand-alone GP-30... Think the GP/VOG launchers are on par with US 40mm, certainly would like to know if easier to use with being muzzle-loaded, caseless, etc. Never much liked the Polish 40mm GLs, even though I have a few of these also.
Yes, very similar concept. Haven't seen any of them in Ukraine yet.
Huh. Odd. I've seen the photo showing the different loadouts for urban and woodland environments. However, the caption states it was a picture of a dead American mercenary killed by Russians. It also had blood stains by the head portion implying the merc got shot on the head.
Yeah, a lot of stuff gets recaptioned by supporters of both sides.
Funny, most American volunteers that I’m aware that have spoke of the subject have said they spent more money than they were paid to go fight in Ukraine. Pretty shitty mercenaries if you’re doing that.
@@baneofbanes You can figure out which propaganda I've seen it on by whether "volunteer" or "mercenary" is used. IMO, it just doesn't make sense to call someone a mercenary that goes to war when the odds aren't in their favor.
we got gp25 gunsmith before gta6
According to Nolan's great accounts, the M79 was an absolutely key weapon for both Marine and Army units in 'nam. The NVA recognised this and toted trophy M79s whenever they could... Good shots could silence a 60-mm mortar hidden behind a treeline with their first shot.. Any info on flamethrowers in Ukraine?
No real sign of traditional flamethrowers but plenty of thermobaric RPO Launchers in use.
@@TheArmourersBench Thanks. Yes I saw the recent footage of the RPOs in use, fearsome. What sort of range can traditional backpack flame throwers get these days? Is anyone still using them?
When fitted to an AKM/AK74 does it not have a tendancy to make the top cover pop off? The Yugoslavians changed the Zastavas top cover detente if I recall correctly because of similar problems with rifle grenades?
Yeah, there's a lot of stress put on the barrel and receiver, some good slowmo videos showing the flex. Definitely a couple of videos of top covers popping off have come out of Ukraine.
Does the GP-25 have buckshot/shotgun rounds???
I'm expecting someone to start producing a smart fire control system for something like this. To turn it into a 300m mortar
There are already Russian vids from years back showing handmade mortars using the cased 30mm VOG rounds...
H&K/Germany make the new M320 in under barrel 40MM GL and also make a stocked version of the M320 40MM you think Germany would have shipped a shit load over and stocks for the GP series. I know the Russian and Western 40MM are different but the stocks would be an easy thing for them to manufacture. The British even use the M320 with their L85A3s, they have the stocked version as well so do the US.
"No, we have standalone M320 at home"
I can imagine the press in handle working itself loose and falling out or catching on things.
If only there was a mysterious sticky substance that sticks plastic together. Or even fabric tape coated in the same substance. You could sell the idea to 3M and make millions.
I imagine that's something some people have encountered and some have definitely been seen without the extension or the front grip. Might be a sign of preference.
@@zoiders Nah, it'll never catch on :D
Wish for M203, M320 & M32 grenade launchers soon!
Seems like it would be a lot more pleasant to shoot with that collapsing stock mechanism as opposed to being mounted on a standard AK
From what I've seen it looks like it is. Similar to the RGM-40.
that's a nifty little form factor right there
Just keep pointing it at your comrade
I need a 155mm one!
Know I course if they make m203 grenade launcher???
There was a company making a clone of one pre-war.
Nice piece of kit. Reminds me of an M-79 grenade launcher. ♠️🎩🎯🇺🇲🏁🇺🇦🔱🌻🌸💮🌼🏴☠️🏹
Love the GP-25! Seen one of these standalones made by a Russian Airsoft hobby group. The real launcher is just as convenient as it is small. I also like how literally ANY AK in your Army's arsenal can use them, because it relies on the bayonet lug, not a separate special lug for the launcher like we do it in the west.
Even Predator fired 30 rnds with this.
Yo TAB, I'm hearing the XM5/7 or SIG Spear is actually NOT being adopted as the NGSW. You heard anything like that?? The AR/M4A1 is STILL king baby hahaha. AR=Almighty Rifle Hahaha
imo that whole ngsw project makes more sense for SOF units only, does and average soldier really need a short barreled dmr? also extra weight, less ammunition both in the mag and in terms of extra magazines and also new cartridge thats not nato standard
RGM-40 "Kastet"?
The GP25 stock thing is so unnecessary when that can go on a normal AK which Ukrainian are mostly armed with, maybe if you make GP25 mount for picatiny rails?
Link to said German Assistance Group?
They're on IG if you search them!
RIP fingers
6:41 Can someone Tell ne more about them?
SOBR Granit?
Unfortunately, there's no melodious "BLOOP!"
I wonder if anyone has made a conversion kit by now? I bet someone with a 3d printer has. Heh.
Slava Ukraine!
RAD!
its like two pieces of steel tube welded together and they named it the "Defender stock"
Bruhhhhhhh
Underbarrel launchers were always a stupid idea. that this is more practical
Not really stupid at all, otherwise multiple military woodnotes have adopted and used them for years.
@@baneofbanes the US Army, the most advanced in the world, adopted UCP for over a decade
@@fiskersproductions cool, doesn’t change my point. Under barreled grenade launchers aren’t dumb.
Carrying one of these on a single point sling would suck if you have to go prone or run a long distance. A holster system like the m320 has would be a little better but still bulky. I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both systems.
Hmm. Green tape on neck 🤔
I wonder why anyone aint made a sharpshoting grenade rifle? China have 30mm grenade rifles.
The south Africans did if you consider 20mm HE Vulcan rounds as grenades? The Inkunzi PAW for instance.
Because they’re generally overly complicated for what they are. These grenades also don’t have very long ranges due to how low powered they are.
@@baneofbanes Its the explosion you are after not the range.
@@perlundqvist7612 no when it comes to sharpshooting you’re looking for range.
@@baneofbanes Hard to blow up something with a bullet.
The weapon seems to be well liked by the NATO soldiers serving volunteers
I’ve not seen them in use by the volunteers. Also they aren’t NATO soldiers, at least not anymore.
It's metal tubing with a GP-25 stuck on to it, there's nothing profound or interesting about it
Buddy that’s most of these stand alone launcher adapters. It’s still interesting to see the variations that nations come up with. Grow up.
Cool to see the photos from the Russian side! Thanks for sharing
Since the start of the war, I've been having trouble finding reliable sources of footage showing the Russian gear. Need a VPN to access Russian-language sites since a lot of them are banned
Lol what? At least in America Russian sites aren’t banned.
@@baneofbanes
That's because you have rights in America
It's Russians M79 :D
Ukraine’s.
Dude is flagging everybody with a f*cking grenade launcher and nobody bats an eye ...
I cringed at that...
Muzzle awareness is for real soldiers not cannon fodder.
Would have been nice if it had been loaded at the time.
Was thinking the same! Smh
As counterintuitive as it sounds, waving a grenade launcher is less alarming than a gun. Plus, they noted it doesn't work.
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