At SOF Week I got my first look at the Mini-GL40 from Wilcox Industries. Their RAAM GSS (Rapid Acquisition Aiming Module Grenade Sighting System) is highly successful and been adopted by the US military as well as some of our allies as an effective fire control solution for 40mm Grenade Launchers.
During its development and fielding the team at Wilcox Ind had a lot of interaction with grenadiers and took what they had learned to develop the Mini-GL40.
First and foremost, the Mini-GL40 is intended to be used at all times with the RAAM GSS M (Modified) and the two integrate seamlessly with one another.
Designed from the ground up as a stand-alone launcher, it cannot be attached to a rifle like others on the market. Instead, this streamlined design eliminates excess weight and bulk as well as cable complexity.
A major selling point is the Steyr steel lined barrel. Most 40mm GLs have aluminum lined barrels. Wilcox Ind went with a steel lined barrel to maximize barrel life as it is more resistant to wear to the lands and grooves. In fact, they’ve got over 4,600 rounds through one of their prototype launchers.
Accessible with an enlarged breach lock locking lever, the side opening barrel will also accommodate any length, low-velocity 40mm round. The two position safety is ambidextrous and the weapon doesn’t have to be recocked in order to pull the trigger (also made by Steyr) in the event of a misfire.
Both adjustable and collapsible, the “ON THE FLY” buttstock can lock into two positions: 6 O’Clock for ranges from 50 to 300 meters and 12 O’Clock for 300 meters and beyond.
It will also collapse to the side and incorporates a steel insert which interfaces with magnet-based belt mounted weapon catches and the launcher is compatible with a “Quick-Draw” leg holster.
Both the stock and pistol grip come from Magpul due to their reliability and popularity. However, both can be replaced with other models by the user.
The GSS M is attached to the Mini-LG40’s three control buttons via a cable. With the buttons integrated into the weapon there’s no need for the grenadier to break his grip meaning quicker follow up shots. Additionally, the sight remembers the last input so the grenadier doesn’t have to program each round independently.
Powered by single AA battery, the sight provides Day/Night Capability complete with Red Dot Sight with BUIS, NIR aiming laser, NIR illuminator, and on-board ballistic computer with 2 pre-programmed ballistic solutions and quick ammo select. The reticle offers easy to read OLED Display in meter increments with aiming references to correspond to ballistic range. The system is also waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Specs:
Barrel Length: 18 cm (7.09”)
Total Length:
With Buttstock Collapsed and Folded: 35.9 cm (14.13”)
With Buttstock Collapsed and Unfolded: 55.9 cm (22”)
With Buttstock Extended and Unfolded: 65 cm (25.6”)
Weight:
Standalone: 2.06 kg (4.54 lbs)
With RAAM GSS M: 2.27 kg (5 lbs)
Although Wilcox Ind is selling the Mini-GL40 with RAAM GSS M as a package, they know there are already a lot of their sights out there. There is an opportunity for those who already have a RAAM GSS to retrofit their optic to a MINI-GL40. Essentially, if you already have the Wilcox grenade launcher sight, they will sell you the GL à la carte.