[OldSmaj]

Think softball weight...baseball size.

Give or take.

The Mk2 is a little heavier, comprised of basically square chunks of steel around an explosive.

Current use grenades use a different style of "projectile", comprised of a hardened steel wire scored evenly along its length, wrapped around an explosive compound and covered with a thin sheet metal.

When developed, the current use grenade was designed to be thrown at least 40 meters.

Not all troops could accomplish the 40 meters, so training tactics evolved to impress upon the troop to throw as far as possible, then hit the ground.

As a DS, I did train a few females on the grenade throw and had no problems with any of them, other than an initial tendency for some to throw the grenade and then stand there with their fingers in their ears, waiting for the pop.

The USMC at one time did train for "cooking" and "skipping" a grenade, but I think they've banned that...although you can bet it's still done in combat.

Probably more information than you cared to see, but I firmly believe in training to success, even if you have to spend extra time with a few.

We're making warriors, not baking bread.

Well, THEY are, not me...as I'm happily retired, but still engaged enough to be pissed at a stupid bunch of Desk Commanders that want to push training into a regimented, unwavering timeline with a Power Point attitude.

[MarvinStinson]

Thanks for that.

[Hot Tabasco]

Not all troops could accomplish the 40 meters,

I play lots of senior softball and I train the year around throwing an 19 Oz. training ball. 40 meters is quite a throw with a grenade even tho it's a little lighter than mine, I don't know if I could do it.......

[TheThirdRuffian]

The number of times a well-thrown grenade saved my life are high, but once I bounced one off a metal rod (that I couldn’t hit again if I tried) in a open window in Basra and nearly killed myself and others.

We took to sneaking up to buildings and just lightly lobbing inside at point blank range prior to entry.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

The USMC at one time did train for "cooking" and "skipping" a grenade, but I think they've banned that...although you can bet it's still done in combat.

 

A vital, go-to technique during the war in the Pacific - the Japs weren't shy about tossing them right back. Then there was a fellow, aptly nicknamed "Captain Zero", who was in a class by himself. He would pick his way up to the side of a bunker/pillbox, put a satchel charge on the end of a trenching tool, light off the fuse, wait until it burned down to nothing (zero) then throw charge, tool and all right through an opening. Blew his clothes to shreds more than once, but cleared the hell out of the obstruction.

 

 

[Redcitizen]

At Fort Knox in 1990, “cooking off” and “skipping” a grenade was taught to Armor trainees then. Even how to toss into a bunker. Probably not now.