The evolution of many weapons generally follows the old adage, “If one is good…six should be better.” While that has a ring to it with a pistol, it takes on a whole new meaning when we talk about grenades. This is the genesis for the Milkore AV-140 MGSL 40mm Launcher. The old-school single-shot M79 launcher gained many admirers because of the power it brought to the fight. Its downside, however, was its single-shot limitation. This single-shot mentality has also been seen in many newer launchers as well.

Firepower: Milkor AV-140 MGSL 40mm Grenade Launcher

The need for the launcher arose as the limits of single-round launchers became increasingly evident in hostile situations. While capable of pushing effective rounds downrange, weapons such as the M203 were single-shot and slow to reload.

 A portable, accurate, and reliable weapon was needed. The AV-140 fits those requirements perfectly.

Bringing Boom to the Table

The AV-140 is a multi-shot launcher designed to drastically increase a unit’s firepower. The design is simple and reliable and allows soldiers to drop highly accurate rounds at a high rate of fire onto a target.

When a small unit is engaged, it can face serious trouble if it is outnumbered and support is not imminent. In urban areas, artillery support can be problematic, if not impossible, and air support may not be possible for a variety of reasons.

Using an AV-140 MSGL, a unit can fire a volley of high explosive rounds into an enemy position in short order and improve their situation. The mobility, ease of use, and effectiveness of the launcher make it a force multiplier.

Another benefit of the design is the AV-140’s versatility. It is capable of launching a wide spectrum of rounds ranging from high explosive (HE) and high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds to anti-riot rounds such as low-pressure baton and OC rounds.

The AV-140 is a hand-held, revolving action gas plug operating index mechanism with a 40mm multi-shot grenade launcher.

It can be loaded mission-specific with a variety of 40mm munitions, thus allowing the operator to select the desired round and fire without having to change the weapon load.

All six of its 40mm grenades can be fired in a very short 3 seconds, effectively covering a minimum area of 20 x 60 meters without reloading the weapon.

It is accurate for pinpoint targets up to 125 meters and has a maximum range of 400 meters with LV Grenades. It is also accurate for pinpoint targets up to 250 meters and with a maximum range of 800 meters with medium velocity grenades.

Advanced Sighting Optic

Topping off the AV-140 and playing a major role in its accuracy is the AV140 -Mini Red Dot Sight (MRDS). The MRDS is a lightweight, rugged reflex sight that mounts to the AV-140 MSGL and compensates for the natural drift of the 40mm.

The MRDS is designed to exceed military durability specifications for equipment used by special operations personnel under extreme combat conditions. The lens is made from a lightweight, impact-resistant polymer with an anti-reflective coating.

The receiver is durable and lightweight stainless steel and includes a Picatinny sight rail. The forend includes a Keymod rail designed to accept all standard 1913 rail accessories such as lights and lasers.

The launcher stock resembles the traditional AR15 style stock and is angle adjustable and collapsible. It includes an ambidextrous safety selector. The safeties for the launcher are a firing pin block and cylinder alignment pin.

This system secures the weapon and will not allow the cylinder to advance until the round is fired.   

The Test Drive

While stats and platitudes can carry a product halfway down the path to success, it is the testing that will confirm its viability. This is precisely what I was able to do with the good folks from Milkor.

Range day would consist of testing the operation and function of a group of launchers headed out to a customer. We would be using 40mm chalk rounds simply because of cost. This was going to be more than just a ten-minute demonstration.

After a quick range safety brief, the first launcher was pulled from its case, and the day began. Having had the opportunity to shoot both the M70 and M203 in the past, I had a preconceived notion of what the AV-140 would be like.

More Rounds Downrange

After the first round launched down range, I realized that this was nothing like the other launchers I had run. It was not nearly as pushy, and the ergonomics of the design made it very comfortable to shoot.

A comparison would be to a 12 gauge shotgun shooting low recoil rounds while using a thick recoil pad. The push was real but in no way disruptive. Several factors played into this. The most important one was the adjustable stock, not only in its length of pull but also in the angle behind the unit.

The trigger was reminiscent of a shotgun, and the optics allowed for accuracy that I would never expect from something shooting a 40mm round. At 100 yards, I was quickly hitting a 10-inch target repeatedly.

Each round would turn into an orange puff of dust as they impacted the steel. While chalk or “cheeto” rounds were not as enjoyable as high explosive rounds, the sheer volume of rounds fired that day dictated our ammo selection.

The launcher was very easy to reload as well. With a quick opening and twist of the cylinder, we were dropping fresh rounds in and, in short order, back on target.

Closing Thoughts

In practiced hands, I see reloads taking place in under 15 seconds. It is this factor that makes the AV-140 a definite game changer and force multiplier in a fight.

The Milkor. AV-140 MSGL is a fantastic weapon and enhances the fighting power of troops in harm’s way. Rugged, accurate, and reliable, the AV-140 is a fight-stopper and one of the best friends a soldier can have.

For more info on the Milkore AV-140 MGSL, visit milorusa.com.