M40 Recoilless Rifle: Difference between revisions
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The M40 Recoilless Rifle is an American 105mm recoilless rifle, commonly referred to as a 106mm weapon to avoid confusion with earlier 105mm ammunition. It is known for delivering heavy direct fire from a crew-served mount, vehicle, boat, or the M50 Ontos vehicle. | |||
M40 | ==HISTORY== | ||
The M40 was developed after the Korean War as a more effective recoilless anti-tank and direct-fire support weapon. Although commonly called a 106mm recoilless rifle, its actual bore is 105mm; the larger designation helped distinguish its ammunition from the older M27 system. It used a breech-loaded, recoilless design and was often paired with a spotting rifle to help the crew confirm aim before firing the main round. | |||
During the Vietnam War, U.S. and allied forces used the M40 both as a ground-mounted weapon and on vehicles, most famously on the Marine Corps M50 Ontos, which carried six M40 recoilless rifles. Since North Vietnamese armor was not the usual target in many engagements, the weapon was frequently used for direct fire against bunkers, buildings, and fortified positions. U.S. Marine Corps histories also describe the 106mm recoilless rifle as part of the weapon set used in Vietnam-era Marine operations. | |||
===Sources=== | |||
* [https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/U.S.%20Marines%20in%20Vietnam%20High%20Mobility%20and%20Standown%201969%20%20PCN%2019000310300_6.pdf U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown, 1969 | U.S. Marine Corps History Division] | |||
* [https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m40rclr.htm M40 106mm Recoilless Rifle | GlobalSecurity.org] | |||
* [https://www.wired.com/2013/05/ancient-us-weapon-in-syria/ Ancient U.S. Weapon Makes a Surprise Reappearance in Syria | Wired] | |||
* [https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/sites/default/files/resources/SAS-Research-Note-55.pdf Recoilless Weapons | Small Arms Survey] | |||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Zombies]] | * [[Zombies]] | ||
* [[Weapons of Vietnam]] | |||
[[Category:Weapons]] | [[Category:Weapons]] | ||
Revision as of 08:24, 10 June 2026
The M40 Recoilless Rifle is an American 105mm recoilless rifle, commonly referred to as a 106mm weapon to avoid confusion with earlier 105mm ammunition. It is known for delivering heavy direct fire from a crew-served mount, vehicle, boat, or the M50 Ontos vehicle.
HISTORY
The M40 was developed after the Korean War as a more effective recoilless anti-tank and direct-fire support weapon. Although commonly called a 106mm recoilless rifle, its actual bore is 105mm; the larger designation helped distinguish its ammunition from the older M27 system. It used a breech-loaded, recoilless design and was often paired with a spotting rifle to help the crew confirm aim before firing the main round.
During the Vietnam War, U.S. and allied forces used the M40 both as a ground-mounted weapon and on vehicles, most famously on the Marine Corps M50 Ontos, which carried six M40 recoilless rifles. Since North Vietnamese armor was not the usual target in many engagements, the weapon was frequently used for direct fire against bunkers, buildings, and fortified positions. U.S. Marine Corps histories also describe the 106mm recoilless rifle as part of the weapon set used in Vietnam-era Marine operations.
Sources
- U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown, 1969 | U.S. Marine Corps History Division
- M40 106mm Recoilless Rifle | GlobalSecurity.org
- Ancient U.S. Weapon Makes a Surprise Reappearance in Syria | Wired
- Recoilless Weapons | Small Arms Survey