This is a list of recoilless rifles (RCLs) intended to catalogue these lightweight infantry support weapons that allow the firing of a heavier projectile than would be practical with a recoiling artillery gun. Technically, only devices that use a rifled barrel are recoilless rifles. The smoothbore variants (those devoid of rifling) are termed recoilless guns. This distinction is often lost, and both are often called recoilless rifles.

Normally used for anti-tank roles, the first effective system of this kind was developed during World War II to provide infantry with a light, cheap and easily deployable weapon that does not require extensive training in gunnery. The near complete lack of recoil allows some versions to be shoulder-fired, but the majority are mounted on light tripods and are intended to be easily carried by a soldier.

Symbol SS SA RE
Meaning Single shot Semi-automatic Revolver
Symbol RCL AT ACN
Meaning Recoilless rifle Anti-tank Autocannon
Name Manufacturer Image Cartridge Type Country Year Source
Rheinmetall RMK30 Mauser 30x250 mm RE
ACN
 Germany 1993
M18 Recoilless Rifle 57 mm SS
RCL
 United States 1942
SPG-9 73 mm (2.87 in) smoothbore SS
AT
 Soviet Union 1962
Miniman FFV Ordnance 74 mm SS
AT
 Sweden 1968
LG 40 Rheinmetall 75×130 mm. R
75×200 mm. R
SS
RCL
 Germany 1941
M20 75 mm SS
RCL
 United States 1944
Breda Folgore Breda Meccanica Bresciana 80 mm (3.1 in) HEAT SS
AT
 Italy 1986
DZJ-08 Norinco 80 mm SS
AT
 China 2008
B-10 KBM 82 mm SS
RCL
 Soviet Union 1954
M59 Skoda 82 mm  Czechoslovakia 1959 [1]
ALAC GESPI Aeronáutica 84 mm
Thermobaric
SS
AT
 Brazil 2014
AT4 Saab Bofors Dynamics 84 mm SS
AT
 Sweden 1987
Carl Gustav recoilless rifle Saab Bofors Dynamics 84 mm SS
AT
 Sweden 1946
55 S 55 89 mm SS
AT
 Finland 1955
RCL 3.45 inch Gun Broadway Trust Company 3.45 in (88 mm) SS
RCL
 United Kingdom
M67 3.54 in (90 mm) SS
RCL
 United States 1960s
Pvpj 1110 Saab Bofors Dynamics 90x760 mm HEAT SS
RCL
 Sweden 1953
95 S 58-61 95 mm SS
RCL
 Finland 1958
LG 40 Krupp 105×155 mm. R SS
RCL
 Germany 1942
LG 42 Rheinmetall 105×155 mm. R SS
RCL
 Germany 1942
M40 Watervliet Arsenal 105×607 mmR SS
RCL
 United States 1950s
Model 1968 recoilless gun Fabricaciones Militares 105 mm SS
RCL
 Argentina 1968
B-11 KBM 107 mm SS
RCL
 Soviet Union 1954
L6 Wombat 120 mm (4.7 in) HESH SS
RCL
 United Kingdom 1950s
M-60 HEAT SS
RCL
 Yugoslavia 1960s
Jagdfaust SA
RCL
 Nazi Germany
M28/M29 "Davy Crockett" Nuclear Recoilless Rifle SS
RCL
 United States 1956

Citations and notes

  1. "82 mm recoilless gun - M59 Recoilless Gun - about 1959". royalarmouries.org. Royal Armouries. Retrieved 28 October 2023.

References

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