[optimistically_conservative]

The "hair trigger" thing is a misnomer.

First, it takes some understanding how grenades were attached to web gear at the time.

Second, it takes some familiarization with how the grenade's cotter pin is inserted and "hooked".

Third, it takes some familiarization with how the spoon is held in place and the cook off period of the grenade.

I'll see if I can find you some references.

[optimistically_conservative]

Within a short time, word came over that a sergeant, an older man, had straightened the cotter pins on two hand grenades he’d had hanging on his belt.

Evidently he’d done that recently when B-company was in contact with the enemy. Just now he must have somehow bumped them and they slipped off the pins. The sad part is that the sergeant was killed in the explosions.

Here was yet another example a man who’d lost his life senselessly, because of a fatal mistake.

Just about everyone in the field, including myself, carried at least two hand grenades hooked onto the front shoulderstraps of his pack. The ring that was pulled from a grenade, just before it was thrown, was attached to a cotter pin that went through the handle and prevented the firing mechanism from arming. The two ends of the cotter pin, where they stuck out the other side of the handle, were bent over so that it couldn’t accidentally slip out, and no one ever straightened those ends unless they were going to use the grenade right after they did.

That was what made this particular incident so odd. Even the least experienced man knew not to straighten those pins unless he was actually going to throw the grenade, yet this sergeant, who clearly should have known better, had just given his life for something so simple. ( http://www.cdl.panam.edu/dayoung/vn_pdf/gyp-47.pdf )

Other references:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-23-30/ch1.htm#p5

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-23-30/ch3.htm#s1

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-23-30/appb.htm

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

My miltary experience is limited to the six years I spent in the USN. So take this with that in mind.

It was my experience that when it came to equipment design and service members, the designer would try to idiot proof the equiment because when you work towards the lowest common denominator that will be using the equipment, that's pretty far down the intelligence chain.

So when I read that the grenade had an adjustable setting that any infantryman could adjust the BS meter in my head went off. I know we could set timed fuses on our 5 inch rounds and I'm positive that holds true for the Army's artillery but for a grenade to be adjustable sounds wrong.

I could be wrong and if I am it wouldn't be the first time.