AGS-17 in action

[ArmySGT.]

AGS-17 in Action Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9RspewfQ8o&feature=related)

Interesting video. The dialog is in Russian. but you get an up close look at an AGS-17 firing.

I did not know it used a non - disintegrating belt. There bits of video which show the hand cranked belt loading tool.

http://www.youtube.com/v/_9RspewfQ8o

http://www.youtube.com/v/_9RspewfQ8o

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[Legbreaker]

A sandbag or two on that front leg would be handy...

[Schone23666]

Is this the version they had during the Soviet's adventure in Afghanistan, that sometimes reputedly had a tendency to have grenade rounds get stuck in the barrel? Oh, and apparently the grenade fuses were automatically armed when fired, hence....you get the idea.

Of course, I could be wrong on this, and if the problem did exist, maybe it was fixed...but knowing the Soviet/Russian's safety track record, I think I'll stick with the Mk-19 all the same.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Is this the version they had during the Soviet's adventure in Afghanistan, that sometimes reputedly had a tendency to have grenade rounds get stuck in the barrel? Oh, and apparently the grenade fuses were automatically armed when fired, hence....you get the idea.

Of course, I could be wrong on this, and if the problem did exist, maybe it was fixed...but knowing the Soviet/Russian's safety track record, I think I'll stick with the Mk-19 all the same.

Yeah; the AGS-17 seems to have a lot more recoil than the Mk-19. Of course it boils down to the gunner...

[Legbreaker]

The mount it's on seems a bit lighter than the Mk-19's as well. That's going to have an impact.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Is this the version they had during the Soviet's adventure in Afghanistan, that sometimes reputedly had a tendency to have grenade rounds get stuck in the barrel? Oh, and apparently the grenade fuses were automatically armed when fired, hence....you get the idea.

Of course, I could be wrong on this, and if the problem did exist, maybe it was fixed...but knowing the Soviet/Russian's safety track record, I think I'll stick with the Mk-19 all the same.

I remember reading reports of the AGS-17 during the Soviet-Afghan war and the specific mention that sometimes the launcher would double-feed the rounds causing the second round to detonate. The grenades used at that time didn't automatically arm as such, the grenades were fitted with point detonating impact fuzes. Impact fuzes without an arming cycle, yeah you can see the trouble with that...

The later fuzes are still point detonating impact but they have a safety feature that keeps the detonator out of alignment with the fire train. Once the round has been spun enough times (at between 10 to 60 metres from the muzzle - that's a hell of a range!) all the components of the fire train are in alignment and the round is thus armed.

[ArmySGT.]

Yeah; the AGS-17 seems to have a lot more recoil than the Mk-19. Of course it boils down to the gunner...

It is significantly lighter than a MK 19 Mod 3 which use the M3 tripod which is not light weight itself .

The MK 19 with tripod can be moved by two soldier, but not far or fast.

[ArmySGT.]

Russian 30-mm Automatic Grenade Launcher AGS-17________________________
Ammunition
Types
30-mm grenade
Frag-HE
Typical Combat Load (Dismounted) 87

SYSTEM
Alternative Designations: Plamya (Flame)
Date of Introduction: 1974
Proliferation: At least 12 countries
Description:
Crew: 3 (see NOTES)
Weight (kg):
Empty (without magazine): 30.71
Loaded (with magazine): 45.05
Launcher: 17.86
Sight: .99
Tripod: 11.86
Magazine (loaded): 14.34
Length (m): 1.28
Height (m): INA
Width (m): INA
Tripod Name: SAG-17
Mounts: Tripod, vehicle, or helicopter
Traverse (°): 30 total
Elevation (°): +7 to +87
Service Life of Barrel (rds): 6,000
Barrel Change Time: Quick disconnect
Rate of Fire (rd/min):
Practical: 60-100
Cyclic: 100-400 Adjustable with a thumb safety. May be fired single shot or in short (< 5 rds) or long (6-10 rds) bursts.
Operation: Blowback
Feed: Drum magazine containing 29 round belt.
Fire Mode: Selective, automatic and semi-automatic
Loader Type: Manual

SIGHTS
Name: PAG-17
Type: Illuminated day optical sight
Sighting Range (m): 1,700
Magnification: 2.7x
Location: Left rear of launcher
Night Sights Available: Yes

VARIANTS
AG-17: Vehicle mounted.
AG-17A: Helicopter mounted, electric trigger, rate of fire increased to 420-500 rd/min, 300 rd belt.
TKB-722K AGL: Lighter version and possibly the follow-on to the AGS-17, shoots the same ammunition as the AGS-17

AMMUNITION
Name: VOG-17A, VOG-17M (self-destruct)
Caliber/length: 30x132.8-mm
Type: Frag-HE
Range (m)
Direct Fire Range (m): 700
Effective (m): 1,200
Min Range (m): 50
Max Indirect Range (m): 1,730
Armor Penetration: Lightly armored vehicles.
Accuracy @ 400 m:
Distance: 4.3 m
Deflection: .2 m
Casualty Radius (m): 15 (90% at 7 m)
Complete Round Weight (grams): 350
Grenade Weight (grams): 280
Warhead Explosive Weight (grams): 36
Muzzle Velocity (m/s): 185
Fuze Type: Impact, activates after 25 spins.
NOTES
The AGS-17 provides the infantry with an area suppressive capability. One AGL can create a damage zone 15 meters wide. The fire from an
AGL platoon covers a sector approximately 90 m across. Although primarily intended for use against personnel, it has a limited capability to
engage lightly armored vehicles. The crew consists of a gunner and two riflemen-assistant gunners, and may have an additional ammunition
bearer. For ground transport the AGS-17 breaks down into four parts: launcher, sight, tripod, and magazine. When dismounted the gunner carries
the sight and launcher, the first assistant carries the tripod and a magazine, and the second assistant carries two additional magazines. It is
very accurate in the semiautomatic mode and is quite effective in area coverage in the automatic mode. The 50-meter increments in the range
table atop the receiver indicate accuracy against point targets. The AGS-17 is normally organized in a platoon consisting of 6 launchers, carried
in pairs in three armored vehicles (they can also be carried in trucks, or by individuals). The AGS-17 is capable of mounting night vision sights.