Grenade launchers are useful tools that can come in handy in many situations: they can be used to take down multiple targets, clean rooms, eliminate concealed snipers, and much more. If you’re thinking about getting a grenade launcher, there are many different options that should be taken into account.
The choice of the weapon you will buy should be based on the scenario’s characteristics, playstyle, gear setup, mission type, and affordability. In today’s article, we will go through the various options available, and we’ll see which ones to opt for, according to individual preferences and necessities so that you can choose the best airsoft grenade launcher.
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Types Of Airsoft Grenade Launchers
There are mainly two types of airsoft grenade launchers – standalone and underbarrel.
Standalone Airsoft Grenade Launchers
The standalone airsoft grenade launchers usually look like regular rifles or pistols, but that simply shoot a rain of BBs simultaneously, instead of rounds bursts. They can feature one or multiple chambers for the grenades and are meant to be used by players which will mostly focus on launching grenades during matches rather than simply shooting a rifle since they usually don’t leave enough room for another primary weapon. You may want to get one of those if you plan to mainly use your grenade launcher to play.
Underbarrel Airsoft Grenade Launchers
Underbarrel grenade launchers are substantially short pipes that need to get mounted under the rifles’ barrel. They usually can store a single 40mm grenade, that can be tossed by pressing a button or pulling a trigger mounted on the grenade launcher itself. Once you shot, you will usually have to pull the front part, put in another grenade, close the grenade launcher and then you’ll be ready to shoot again. These particular ones are designed for players that will mainly use their rifles, but still want to have more firepower or a useful tool to get out of unpleasant situations.
Let’s now take a look at the best grenade launchers available on the market right now.
Grenade launchers are useful tools that can come in handy in many situations: they can be used to take down multiple targets, clean rooms, eliminate concealed snipers, and much more.
Best Standalone Airsoft Grenade Launchers
We decided to split this list into two parts and first, we’re going to suggest to you the best standalone airsoft grenade launchers you can purchase.
ICS-190 GLM Multiple Grenade Launcher
It mounts a pistol grip with a large trigger, and a regular M4 adjustable stock, that will likely match any rifleman’s needs. The drum release is placed just after the drum itself, under the barrel. Once pulled, it works as a handle to tilt the drum sideways, showing access to the grenade chambers and allowing it to reload. The drum system is spring-loaded, which means that it will automatically spin reloading grenades only if the player spins it in the opposite directions before starting to use it. Obviously, that means that the fire will be semi-automatic, and not full auto. However, the weapon will still be able to deploy up to 6 grenades in a matter of seconds, so not having full auto is really not a big deal.
Just above the drum, on the front part, you can find a spring release button, which permits not to stress the spring too much, if not unloaded by shooting. After pressing the trigger, the first grenade will be shot, the drum will spin until the next grenade chamber is set into place. At this point, the launcher is ready to shoot again. On the right side, a regular kind of safety/fire lever can be found. The weapons also mount 5 rails on it: one just above the drum to place sights and aim points, and 4 all around the barrel to place other accessories. It is sold with a vertical grip already mounted on it, and it has slings point on the front rail and just before the stock, for easier carry.
ICS-190 GLM Multiple Grenade Launcher is a great choice for players that like supporting roles. No one will stand in your way for too long if you are carrying one of these.
Features
- High-strength industrial plastic construction maneuverability
- 6-Grenade cylinder capacity
- Adjustable stock
- Quad Handguard Rail
- Top Rail
- Length: 28.7 inches / 24.85 inches (Total / Folded)
- Ambidextrous safety
- Comes with a tactical grip
- Compatible with ICS MA-77 grenades & other 40mm grenades.
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Matrix CQB 40mm Tactical Grenade Launcher Airsoft Pistol / CYMA M052 40mm Pistol Grenade Launcher
This little guy can become your best buddy during CQB matches. The small size makes it easy to carry as a backup weapon, and his weight will not be a burden to carry around while playing. It mounts the most common regular 40mm gas-powered grenades and can be charged with a single shell per time.
Carrying this little weapon with a pair of grenades will make it a lot easier to clean rooms and hard spots without too much effort. In many ways, it is comparable to a pistol, which is a feature of great value in CQB scenarios, where players will often move in very tight spaces that will not allow wide maneuvers with bulky weapons. It is 8.25 inches long-only and features an upper and a lower rail which allows mounting accessories like flashlights, sights, and lasers on it. The reloading system works just like an old-style drum pistol: the front part can be lowered by pressing a lever, located where you can usually find the hammer of the pistol. Pressing the lever will allow access to the shell chamber. All you need to do is put the new grenade in, close the pistol and you’re ready to shoot.
The launcher also features a safety switch that can be reached and engaged with the thumb, if you’re right-handed. On both, sides the pistol has a window just above the trigger that permits the carrier to check if the gun is actually loaded. Despite his tiny shape, this grenade launcher can mount not only short grenades but pretty long shells too. Another nice thing about this gun is that the handle can be removed, leaving only the body and the trigger. That means that if you want to, and if you get the right attachments obviously, you can mount this little grenade launcher under a regular gun. The only problem is that you will not be able to reload it since the opening mechanism is placed on the upper part, which will be no more accessible in that case. Well, sometimes having just one grenade is better than having zero, I guess.
Features
- CNC aluminum construction
- Detachable pistol grip
- Top Picatinny rail for mounting optics and other accessories
- Lever-type safety
- Ergonomic pistol grip
- Magazine Capacity: Single shot (40mm grenade shell)
- Length: 8.25″
- Fire Modes: Single, Safety
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ASG B&T GL-06 Stand Alone Airsoft 40mm Gas Grenade Launcher
This sturdy, single-shot 40mm airsoft grenade launcher looks just like a regular rifle, with the difference that it shoots grenades instead of single BBs. Like the previous one, it can mount regular 40mm gas-powered grenades, one at a time. This weapon will feel way better in the hands of players that usually work with regular rifles: it mounts a UMP style foldable stock that will help to keep a stable aim. It also features a long upper rail, and three shorter rails placed laterally and below its front part.
The pipe release lever is placed right in front of the trigger and can be easily pressed by both sides of the weapon, which makes the launcher easy to use for left-handed players too. Once the lever is pressed, the pipe will automatically come up thanks to the spring-loaded system. This will save a little amount of time during shell replacement. A safety button can be found on both sides of the grenade launcher – on the left side, it will look white, meaning the weapon is in safety mode. When on the right side, it will look red, meaning the weapon is ready to shoot.
Another feature is that it comes with built-in iron sights, which means that even if you do not intend to equip it with a red dot you will still be able to maintain a decent accuracy. The weapon is sold with a vertical foregrip mounted, making it a little more comfortable during the pointing and shooting. The pipe is made out of metal, just as the rails and the other parts are created with solid polymer, so it doesn’t weigh too much: about 5.5 libs. Finally, two sling points are placed just before the stock, to make it easy to attach the launcher to a sling and to carry it comfortably. This setup will allow players to play their game as they would normally do with a regular SMG, but with a way superior firepower.
ASG B&T GL-06 grenade launcher will fit nicely also in missions that require weapon concealment, thanks to its modest length (23”) and its foldable stock, which will permit it to easily hide it in a bag, for example. The possibility to also mount additional equipment, like aim points, flashlights and foregrips make the ASG B&T GL-06 grenade launcher a valuable choice as a primary weapon.
Features
- Tactical side folding stock
- Adjustable rear sight
- Ghost ring sight for fast acquisition
- Uses 40mm gas-powered BB grenades
- Barrel Length: 280 mm
- Overall length: 590mm (unfolded) / 385mm (folded)
- Weight: ~5 lbs
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King Arms M79 Airsoft Grenade Launcher m 79 Replica
The stock, as already said, is fully made out of real wood, which means it is both solid and really good-looking. It mounts a foldable trigger guard, which will allow you to easily press the trigger even if wearing gloves. On the top part, just before the barrel, we can find the release lever and the safety button. To unlock the pipe, simply press the release lever to the right and the barrel should come down because of its own weight. The safety will prevent the grenade launcher from shooting if pushed backward and will put it in fire mode if pushed forward.
King Arms M79 comes with two built-in sling points, both on the lower part of the launcher, one on the rear under the stock, and one on the middle part, just below the rear sight. A spring-loaded mechanism is located on the rear part of the pipe, just at the entrance of the grenade chamber. That mechanism keeps the grenade in place once mounted, aiming it easier for the shooting mechanism to perfectly fit the gas release valve. It also makes it a lot easier to grab the grenade to replace it, since it will pull the shell slightly backward so that the user doesn’t have to tilt the whole weapon to unload it.
King Arms M79 is probably one of the better grenade launchers you can find on the market, right now. If you want something reliable, solid, and good-looking, this is the grenade launcher you’re looking for.
Features
- Aluminum alloy barrel
- Real wood handguard and stock
- Folding ladder leaf-type rear sight
- Front and rear sling swivel
- Built-in rubber pad on stock for maximum comfort
- Uses 40mm shells
- Made of aluminum and real wood
- Length 720mm
- Weight 2.0 Kg
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Best Underbarrel Airsoft Grenade Launchers
And now let’s take a look at the best under-barrel airsoft grenade launchers you can purchase.
Matrix Full Metal 40mm M203 Airsoft Grenade Launcher for M4/M16
Solid, low-cost, and easy to operate, Matrix Full Metal 40mm M203 grenade launcher is a really good choice if you never owned or purchased one before. Despite its low price, it is made out of aluminum and CNC, which will make it very lightweight. This launcher is specifically designed to be attached to M4 and M16 rifles, so it should likely fit the most common airsoft guns.
It can also be mounted on the main weapon’s RIS using its adapter with quick attach bolts, which obviously make it fast to dismount as well. The safety of the launcher is placed in the trigger guard, just in front of the trigger: if pushed, it will get closer to the frame, getting out of the way and lock the trigger, and making it really hard to press it unintentionally. It comes in three versions, long, short, and mini, and two tones, black and dark earth. The long version of the grenade launcher is 16” long, the short is 12,5” long and the mini is only 10” long, which means that can be easily mounted on shorter weapons too. All the different versions mount, as usual, 40mm gas-powered grenades, and can be loaded by sliding the front part of the pipe, which will allow access to the grenade chamber.
The long version can mount longer grenades that can store more BBs, and the short and the mini ones will match the needs of players that are looking for a lightweight grenade launcher that doesn’t take too much space on their gun. The trigger guard can be opened so that it does not get in the way while operating the launcher if needed.
Even though it is low-cost, many players found in Matrix M203 grenade launcher a solid, good-looking, and performing tool that can compete with most popular ones. This weapon is definitely something worth checking out if you’re thinking about getting your first under-barrel grenade launcher.
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Madbull XM203 Short Type Airsoft Grenade Launcher
Less bulky than the previous one, but no less effective, this little guy easily attaches on standard 20mm Weaver / Picatinny rails and it’s just 6 inches long, making it suitable for most rifles, even the shortest ones. It is available in black and OD green tones, to comply both with urban and woodland scenarios player’s necessities.
40mm shells can be loaded by sliding the whole body of the launcher forward, which will allow reaching the grenade slot. Madbull XM203 has a button on the right side, in the front part. that must be pressed to lock the pipe once charged with the grenade. It also features a safe button, marked with a white ring, on the left side. Once pushed, the same button will appear on the right side, but it will display a red ring instead, which will signal that the launcher is on fire mode and it’s ready to shoot. To operate the launcher, just press the button on the rear side of the weapon, and the grenade will be deployed. Due to its size, only very small shells will fit in this launcher; however, finding his main use in CQB clashes, huge firepower is usually not required, so losing some BB capacity shouldn’t really be a big problem.
You can also think about getting this weapon instead of regular hand grenades since it will take about the same space on your setup, but it will be easier and faster to deploy your grenades instead of tossing regular ones. The brand is a guarantee itself: Madbull products are purchased end enjoyed by players from all over the world, because of the effort they put into product design and development. The whole thing weighs just 410g, which is pretty lightweight considering that is made out of metal. Just like the Matrix CQB TGL pistol, Madbull XM203 can come extremely handy because of its small frame – unlike many other grenade launchers, this one can be mounted on SMGs, which are mostly used in CQB scenarios, where this launcher gives its best. If you’re a player that likes fighting indoor or in tight spaces, you may want to get one of those, for sure.
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Matrix EGLM Type 40mm Grenade Launcher for MK16 MK17
Here’s something particular that will satisfy SCAR enthusiasts: this special grenade launcher is expressly designed to get mounted on MK16 and MK17 rifles. This weapon is made of injection-molded polymer, which will make it a lightweight accessory, despite its length (about 11”).
His modern design with the textured tube will make it easy to operate it, even if it’s wet or the player’s wearing large gloves. This launcher is designed to perform perfectly in woodland scenarios, where players have to easily operate their equipment regarding the unfavorable condition they may find themselves in, such as rain, cold, and unusual shooting positions, which require additional safety systems on the weapons.
The pipe release lever is placed right above the pipe, and it can be easily reached using the thumb. As the other ones, the front part of the body slides forward to open the grenade slot: once opened, the front part of the tube can pivot to the left or to the right, making it easier to expel the exhausted shell. Unloading the used shell, replacing it with a new one and closing the launcher will make the launcher ready to shoot again. The rear part of the launcher comes all the way back until it reaches the rifle’s trigger guard, leaving a hole just under the magazine slot to allow mag changes. To fire the grenade, simply pull the ring on the rear end of the grenade launcher, just under the rifle’s trigger guard.
Matrix EGLM Type 40mm Grenade Launcher also comes with a safety button, which is placed on the same spot of the shooting ring; it will help to prevent an unintentional shooting. This launcher also owns some very unique features: it is dedicated to MK16 and MK17, so it will feel way more comfortable than the universal ones. Its particular design makes it not only good-looking but also very reliable and easy to operate. Last, but not least, it provides a solid yet lightweight solution for players, thanks to the high-quality materials it is made of.
Features
- Durable injection-molded polymer construction
- Length: 11″
- Compatibility: MK16 and MK17 rifles
- Opens to the side for easy loading
- Ergonomic design with a textured loading tube
- Compatible with most 40mm grenades
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Summary
Which type of airsoft grenade launcher you should choose depends on a couple of things, like do you want to use it as a primary weapon or just as a useful tool to get out of tricky situations, among others. Grenade launchers can be pretty useful and fun to use so we suggest that you at least tried them if you are unsure about purchasing one.
We hope you found this article helpful and that we helped you choose the right airsoft grenade launcher.
