M301 grenade launcher: Difference between revisions

*{{Convert|99|ft|m|sp=us}} {{C|horizontal}}{{Ref/Reuse|he320}}

*{{Convert|164|ft|m|sp=us}} {{C|vertical}}{{Ref/Reuse|he320}}

The '''M301 40mm Grenade Launcher''', also known as the "forty mike-mike" among troops, is a [[United Nations Space Command]] weapon designed to fire explosive [[grenade]]s. It can be [[Weapon attachment|attached]] to a number of weapons.

The M301 takes the form of an [[Wikipedia:Grenade launcher#Attached|underbarrel]] grenade launcher, which can be employed on a variety of firearms. The launcher commonly sees usage on the [[MA5B assault rifle|MA5B]] and [[MA5C assault rifle]]s fitted under the barrel, replacing the [[Flashlight|flashlight attachment]] standard to the [[MA5 series]].{{Ref/Site|Id=BNetMA5C|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BAGAssaultRifle|Site=Bungie.net|Page=MA5C Assault Rifle|D=15|M=01|Y=2021}} The weapon is also employed on the [[M6634 flamethrower]] - the latter of which employs the launcher mounted above the firing nozzle of the flamethrower.{{Ref/Reuse|HWSG40}}{{Ref/Game|Id=HW1|HW|M6634 flamethrower in-game model}}

The M301 grenade launcher is capable of firing 40mm grenades at targets within a 99-foot (30 meters) zone, and up to 164 feet (50 meters) vertically—depending on wind, trajectory, and skill. The grenade launcher's rare tendency to detonate in the hands of unskilled operators has led to the M301 seeing limited use.{{Ref/Reuse|he320}}

The launcher is employed in the [[UNSC Marine Corps]], in which it is commonly used in suppression, anti-armor, and anti-vehicle roles.{{Ref/Book|Id=he320|Enc11|UNSC Weapons|Page=320}} The launcher is also used by the Marine Corps' [[Hellbringers]], who use the launcher mounted on their flamethrowers to fire [[flashbang grenade]]s - used to stun and surprise enemy troops.{{Ref/Book|Id=HWSG40|Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide|Page=40}}  

The launcher's tendencies to rarely explode in the hands of unskilled operators saw it given limited usage, though it has seen increased use within the last hundred years.{{Ref/Reuse|he320}}

During [[Development of Halo: Combat Evolved|early development]], ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' was to feature an underbarrel grenade launcher on the MA5B assault rifle. This grenade launcher survived through several iterations of the rifle's evolution, with the weapon at one point even sporting a secondary magazine forward of the main trigger to load grenades. Ultimately, the grenade launcher was removed entirely, and only later referenced in a [[Bungie.net]] post about the MA5C rifle for ''[[Halo 3]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|BNetMA5C}} The weapon was first visually depicted in a [[McFarlane Toys]] figurine for the Hellbringer in ''Halo Wars'', which featured the launcher mounted atop the Hellbringers' distinctive flamethrowers.