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One of the more interesting weapons to “Honeywell Gun”, a crank fired grenade about the new launcher until the Afghan
come from the old Soviet Union is the launcher that fired the same Hi-low pres- War of the late 1970s and early 1980s. It
AGS17 series of grenade launchers. While sure 40x46mm grenade as the M203, as wasn’t until Soldier of Fortune magazine
the modern examples may be the AGS30 well as the MK20 that also fired the Hi- brought the AGS17 to light in the early
variant, the AGS17 is still in wide service. low round. In the early 1970s, the US had 1980s that the armed forces of the West
There are also a number of countries build- settled on the fully automatic high pres- got any education on this system.
ing their own version of this 30mm fully sure grenade launcher in 40x53mm that is While the MK19 can reach out with HE
automatic grenade launcher. Iraq, The in current use today - the MK19 Mod 3. or HEDP rounds to targets at up to 2,200
People’s Republic of China, and the Rus- This was at the same time the Kremlin was meters, its effectiveness is questionable for
sian Federation have produced these mod- secretly fielding the AGS17 30mm. The first round target acquisition, considering
els, and the Yugoslav company Zastava in West paid scant attention to the rumors a hit probability on first burst of 53%. Of
Kragujevac, Serbia, is one of the current
manufacturers of this effective combat
weapon. The Serbian variant is the BGA-
30. SAR has had the opportunity to test
this weapon in a number of environments
over the years, but it was at the “Living
History” class in Serbia that we were able
to get the best hands-on and photographic
experience with the weapon.
The roots of the system go back into the
1930s in the old Soviet Union, and for al-
most forty years there was no successful
production of an automatic grenade
launcher behind the Iron Curtain. In an
almost parallel development frenzy during
the 1960s, the US had started the MK18

Right: At six hundred meters,

a six round burst of 30mm HE
fragmentation grenades thor-
oughly covers a forty yard
circle with a deadly hail.

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course, this depends largely on the experi-
ence and skill of the operator. HK has of-
fered their GMG in the same caliber, with
a hit probability in the 80% range, largely
due to their effective design and the
Vinghog softmount system as well as the
new sighting system. SAR has covered this
system in the past. Placing a MK19 on a
Vinghog and adding good ranging and
optics systems to the package dramatically
increases the MK19’s effectiveness. The
new MK47 40mm has solid target acqui-
sition as well.
The BGA-30 is an improved copy of the
AGS17 made in Serbia and it has a shorter
range than the 40x53mm offerings; ap-
proximately 1,700 meters. This is due
largely to the Hi-low pressure grenade sys-
tem it uses as opposed to the high pres-
sure of the 40x53mm. Looking somewhat
like miniature artillery when it is aimed for
longer ranges, the light weight BGA-30 is
a formidable launcher in the hands of a
skilled operator. The rounds are not
HEDP; they are fragmentation for attacks
on infantry or light armored vehicles.
There are two rates of fire available on this
select fire launcher. Contrary to informa-
tion available in some publications, the
system does not have a semi automatic
setting - it is either a low rate of fire less
than 100 rpm, or a higher rate of fire in the
350 rpm range. This is a useful tool in the
hands of an experienced operator enabling
more brush styles for the artist on the trig-
ger. The slow rate can conserve ammuni-
tion and allow for a more carefully aimed
concentration of fire, while the high rate
can be used for saturation bombardment
in either offensive or defensive situations.
The standard fragmentation ammunition
for the BGA-30 has a kill radius of any-
where from 7 to 9 meters, depending on
the testing reports one reads. The differ-
ence is in the test criteria, but it is also in Above: Rimless short cartridge case
the variety of ammunition that will func- (29mm) from the 30x29mm car-
tion in the weapon system. Grenade bod- tridge. Note the six vent holes that
ies vary from a pre-fragmented inner steel lead from the high pressure cham-
sheath to pre-engraved wound wire bod- ber into the low pressure chamber
ies, yielding somewhat different “kill” formed by the base of the projec-
zones. Generally, a payload of RDX ex- tile and the upper case section.
plosive is used for the rounds.
The ammunition system is described as tains the powder and the initial deflagra-
a “High-Low” system. This means that tion and expansion of the burning propel-
there are two chambers in the cartridge lant gases occurs in this chamber. The
case - a high pressure chamber that con- gases then bleed over into a larger cham-

LOADING THE BGA-30

Clear the weapon. Lift the top cover and pull the charging handle to the rear on its cable. Visually inspect the weapon, and
ensure that the bore is unrestricted. Do this every time. A blockage can be fatal on the first round fired. Remember that this is
a “push through” feed system. On the forward stroke, the bolt will “push” the grenade forward down a ramp into the chamber.
(The same steps are used for the Russian AGS17/30 and other variants.)

1 2 3 4
1) Slide the loaded drum into position and ensure it is locked into place. 2) In this photo, the drum is not present so that the link
placement is more visible. The belts are 30-round, but are only loaded with 29 rounds with the first link left empty. This is to
allow for the non-disintegrating belt to have enough surface contact with the guide rails for proper presentation of the grenade
to the bolt and bore. 3) The top cover is closed and checked to ensure the latch is engaged, locking the cover down. 4 The
operator grasps the grip with one hand and the charging handle (cable) with the other and briskly pulls it to the rear until the
stroke ends. The bolt will return forward with grenade into the barrel. This is a closed bolt system, so it requires pressing the
firing paddle between the two grips in order to release the firing pin.

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USING THE BGA-30 BELT LOADER

The BGA-30 belt loader has a hard job - it does not push the rounds into the belt like many other loaders. In this case, the
grenades are supported in two places on a short wheel and pressed into the link from the side. This requires a lot of pressure. The
belt loader works best when it is bolted to a stationary workbench, but in the example here it is mounted on its carrying case. This
works, but is not optimal. Loading should only be done over a wooden or other “soft” floor in case there is a dropped round,
which might lead to a fuze detonating. Care must be taken in all parts of the loading process to ensure that grenades and belt are
properly presented to the moving parts. This is a dangerous operation, as is any mechanical operation dealing with explosive
devices.
The belt loader can be used as a belt unloader too. In this function, the operator takes the unloaded machine, puts the handle
straight down, and rotates it clockwise towards himself 45 degrees. The belt is loaded from the end where a full belt usually
comes out, and clicked into the star wheel. As the operator turns the crank anti-clockwise, the grenades will come out onto the
tray and it is inadvisable to allow more than 3 grenades into the tray at a time during unloading.

Above left: Top and bottom view of the non-disintegrating metallic link belt for the BGA-30 grenade launcher.

Above right: 30-round belt, empty, and side opening 30-round drum, which shows the fully supportive “snail” interior.
Belts are only loaded to 29 rounds, as noted in other parts of this article.

Below left: The operator first lowers the handle with his right hand to straight down, and allows it to come back up 45
degrees anti-clockwise, away from himself. He then slides the empty links into the tray, upside down, until they mate
with the loading wheel. Several cartridges are then placed in the cartridge tray and the operator carefully turns the
handle clockwise, thereby presenting and pressing the grenades into the belt. Care should be taken to not allow the
unlinked grenades to move out of the tray, as well as supporting the loaded belt at all times.

Below center: This is the operator’s view as he is linking. Grenades folding into the star wheel and being turned and
pressed into the belt.

Below right: Proper support on the base and handle give a solid support to the loading system. It is still far better to
mount the loader onto a table.

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SIGHTING

Left: The NSBG-1 sighting system can be used on a variety of Yugoslav weapon systems, and for use on the BGA-30, it
is the primary sighting method for both direct and indirect fire. The operator must be trained in leveling the system and
coordinating the sight to the bore relationship. Once that is mastered, range training can be effective.

Right: The NSBG-1 is stored in a case with a variety of small tools and cleaning accessories, as well as two tritium night
light sources and several small filters.

ber, thus losing some of their velocity and
producing a more even pressure on the
projectile base as it separates from the car-
tridge case and enters the bore. The pro-
jectiles are “spin-stabilized” grenades;
similar to a bullet coming from a standard
rifled bore, as opposed to a “fin-stabilized”
grenade which would normally be
launched from the muzzle.
BGA-30 ammunition is a variant of the
Russian VOG-17 type, and all of the
Serbian ammunition is point detonating,
and inertia arming. This means that when
the grenade starts its forward motion on
leaving the cartridge case, the violent for-
ward motion causes a primer to impact
against a lug in the fuze body. This ignites
the pyrotechnic composition that has been
timed so that between 6 and 30 meters from
leaving the bore, a slide is released and no
longer blocks the impact firing pin from
striking the detonator that activates the
explosive charge. The impact fir-
ing pin is physically blocked until
the pyrotechnic chain releases it.
There is also a self destruct timed
safety built into the fuze, so if there
is a failure to explode from impact,
within 27 seconds the “dud” pro-
jectile will explode.
The BGA-30 is generally fielded
on a lightweight tripod, but it can
be mounted on vehicles, ships or
aircraft. These variations are still
readily dismountable, and due to
the light weight of the weapon, it
is very well adapted to high speed
operations that require area cover
fire. It is easily man portable.
Dan’s testing: Over the past two
decades I have only had five or six
experiences with this weapon sys-
tem; from the AGS17 to the BGA-

Right: In addition to the optical sighting system for the BGA-30, there
are back up iron sights, front and rear, but these are only effective until
the range of the target demands so much elevation that the target is
blocked from the line of sight.

82 The Small Arms Review • Vol. 8 No. 12 • September, 2005

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30, and find it to be a very well designed
system. It is lightweight, easy to use, easy
to clean, and as accurate as you need such
an area weapon to be. It is a good candi-
date for perimeter security as well as be-
ing capable of providing some serious area
firepower coverage for faster moving
small units. While not something to be
fired in the manner of a shoulder fired
weapon, it is not that much more trouble
to field than any other tripod mounted
heavy machine gun, and it is much lighter
than the full auto grenade launcher offer-
ings from US/NATO manufacturers. The
ammunition is very important to this sys-
tem, and the reliability of the fuze is criti-
cal to the safety of the operator. This is
not unusual in grenade systems, but the
manufacturer and their quality must be
taken into account in planning. I had no
hesitation firing the Sloboda HE products
in a Russian AGS17 or the BGA-30. I can’t
say the same for some other
manufacturer’s products. I do not consider
the BGA-30 to be a replacement for the
range and power of the MK19, GMG, or
MK47. The BGA-30 certainly has some
advantages in specific situations, and it is
a combat proven design.

Above: The easiest way to tell the difference between

the Russian manufactured guns and the Yugoslav ones
is to look at the top plate that gives the plotting informa-
tion. If you can’t immediately tell between the Russian
and Serb language, then count the fins on the barrel.
The Russian barrels have 12 cooling fins and a thicker
base fin, while the Yugoslav barrels have 11 fins and a
thicker base fin. Also, the Yugoslav BGA-30 has a thicker
diameter on the muzzle end of the barrel due to relief of
the tube diameter, as shown.

Left: We were unable to get the rate of twist for the bar-
rel, but the 12 grooves are right hand, well defined, and
of a long twist rate. This is not a radical rotation being
imparted to the projectiles.

Left: Looking un-

der the raised top
cover reveals a
fairly standard
transfer bar with
roller that takes
recoil energy
from the bolt and
traverses it to a
sideward motion,
Above: Bolt movement is dictated in part by this replace- moving the belt
able cam path on the inside of the receiver. into place. At the
bottom of the top
Below: disassembled receiver view shows the location of cover, a feed ramp
the cam paths. can be seen,
where the gre-
nades are guided
to the chamber in
forward motion.
One unusual fea-
ture in the center,
under the transfer
bar, is the car-
tridge case ejec-
tor.

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Above: The triggering mechanism is mounted externally

Above: Disassembled bolt face showing cartridge extrac-
tor, pressure detents, and the small primer striker in the
center.
on the left side of the receiver. This contains the hydraulic
rate of fire regulator. When the fire lock on the right is
placed on “U”, the trigger is blocked and can not fire. On
“O”, it is ready to fire. The rate of fire is regulated by
moving the regulator handle to either the “Maks” or “Min”
setting. This changes the orifice size that allows the hy-
draulic fluid movement, thus changing the duration of
movement for the striker and changing the rate of fire.

Above: The BGA-30 tripod is a lightweight (12kg), com-

Above: The operator’s tool roll contains some basic
cleaning and disassembly tools, as well as a few small
spare parts and springs.
pact, foldable tripod, whose simplicity hides the com-
plex firing ability that is available when the weapon is
mounted on it. Traverse and elevation are fairly stan-
dard lock-lever and hand wheel controls, but when com-
bined with the NSBG-1 sight, makes for a very accurate
firing platform.

Below: Inside the rear cover is the charging handle and cable. It operates on a simple principle of force applied to one
wheel under spring pressure. However, it must be pulled briskly and completely or it will not fully return, similar to a
lawn mower starter.

84 The Small Arms Review • Vol. 8 No. 12 • September, 2005

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Ammunition Specifications:
These 30mm grenades are made at Sloboda in Cacak,
Bulgarian plants, Russian plants, and some Chinese
plants. We have not seen examples of the Chinese.
Fuze delays vary by country of manufacture and can
be ordered for different times from Sloboda.
Note from the old Sarge: Operators should warn
friendlies of the delay if it is necessary for them to en-
ter an area that has just been saturated with 30mm
fire, to avoid a premature entry leading to any “dud”
rounds activating. If you are using 27-second delays,
ensure the troops are waiting appropriate time to en-
ter the area. If you are receiving fire from this type of
weapon, bear this in mind before leaving cover after a
barrage. That safety timing could lead to a very un-
pleasant surprise if there is unexploded ordnance left.
M93-PM Practice
(Identical to HE, no explosive)
NATO designation ...................PM
Weight of round (g) .............360 grams
Weight of projectile (g).............273 grams
Length (mm) ...................... ...132mm
Muzzle velocity (m/s)...............185 meters/ second
Maximum Range (m)...............1700 meters
Fuze Type.................................UT - M02, PM-SD
self destruction........................27 seconds
fuze safe action limit (m).........60 meters
Safety distance.......................10m in front of barrel
Packing....48 grenades per sheet metal box 2 per wooden
case.
The Small Arms Review • Vol. 8 No. 12 • September, 2005
Above: BGA-30 grenades (L-R): Cutaway of M93HE
showing RDX explosive and point detonating impact
fuze at top, with 27 second delay fuze incorporated.
M93 HE round, M93 TP round, M93 PM round.
M93-TP Target Practice
NATO designation .......................TP
Weight of round (g) ................ 360 grams
Weight of projectile (g)................273 grams
Length (mm) .............................132mm
Muzzle velocity (m/s)................. 185 meters/ second
Maximum Range (m)...................1700 meters
Packing....48 grenades per sheet metal box 1 per
wooden case.
M93 HE High Explosive Fragmentation 30mm
NATO designation .......................HE
Weight of round (g) .................360 grams
Weight of projectile (g)................ 273 grams
Length (mm) ..............................132mm
Muzzle velocity (m/s)...................185 meters/ second
Maximum Range (m)....................1700 meters
Fuze Type.....................................UT - M99 SD
self destruction.........................27 seconds
fuze safe action limit (m)...........60 meters
Safety distance........................10m in front of barrel
Packing....48 grenades per sheet metal box 1 per
wooden case.
85
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DISASSEMBLY SEQUENCE BGA-30:

1) Clear the weapon: remove drum and belts, visually inspect by lift-
ing the top cover and ensuring the rails are empty and no grenade is in
line. Pull the charging handle to the rear, and inspect the chamber for
clear. Return the bolt forward. 2) Remove the optical sight. 3) The
bolt must be forward - remove rear pin. 4) The charging mechanism /
rear top cover is removed upward. 5) Remove the bolt and recoil as-
sembly to the rear. 6) Remove the recoil springs from the bolt. 7) The
top cover is removed by rotating the pin about 80 degrees and lifting.
8) Remove lead bar. 9)Triggering mechanism is removed against spring
pressure, and should be controlled with both hands. 10) Triggering
mechanism is removed to the side of the receiver. 11) Barrel locking
pin is rotated and the barrel is removed to the front. 12) Breech face /
guide is removed from bolt.

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Yugoslav M93 BGA-30 Technical Specifications: Visit us on line at:

www
Other nomenclature: ABG-30, AGS-17 (Incorrect),
.smallarmsreview
AGS30 (Incorrect)
Caliber: 30x29mm .com
Overall weight w/tripod: 45kg
Overall length: 840mm
for
Barrel Length: 380mm BOOKS
Barrel: 12 grooves, Right Hand
Rate of Fire: 350-400 RPM or 50-120 RPM BINDERS
Combat Rate of Fire: recommended 65-70 RPM
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Method of fire: closed bolt, blowback, select fire
Muzzle velocity: 186 meters/second T-SHIRTS
Feed method: non-disintegrating metallic belt
from 29- round ammo drum ACCESSORIES
Manufacturer: Zastava, Kragujevac, Serbia. GREAT LINKS
www.zastava-arms.com
& MUCH MORE

Field disassembly
of the BGA-30.

The Small Arms Review • Vol. 8 No. 12 • September, 2005 87