Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle

Go Back to Recoilless Rifle

Go Back To Weapons Home

	Weapon: Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle Type: Recoilless Rifle Country of Origin: Sweden Year Adopted: 1948 Caliber: 84x245mmR Action: Recoilless Gun Overall Length (mm): 1100.0 Overall Length (in): 43.31 Weight (kg): 7.00 Weight (pounds): 15.43 Effective Range (m): 1800 m Effective Range (yards): 1968.5

The Carl Gustaf 8.4cm recoilless rifle, designed in Sweden in the late 1940s, emerged as a versatile, man-portable anti-tank and multi-role weapon system. Developed by the Swedish arms company Bofors (later Saab Bofors Dynamics), the weapon featured a rifled barrel, allowing for greater accuracy than smoothbore recoilless designs. It could fire a wide variety of munitions, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), high-explosive (HE), smoke, and illumination rounds, making it adaptable for infantry combat scenarios.

Since its introduction in 1948, the Carl Gustaf has undergone multiple upgrades, with the M2, M3, and M4 variants extending its operational lifespan and enhancing performance. By 2021, over 40 countries had adopted the weapon, with production figures exceeding tens of thousands of units worldwide. Its lightweight design, durability, and cost-effectiveness compared to guided missile systems have ensured its continued relevance, particularly in irregular warfare and asymmetric conflict settings.

The Carl Gustaf gained notoriety for its reliability and battlefield effectiveness, earning the nickname "Charlie G" among NATO forces. It has seen extensive service in conflicts ranging from the Vietnam War to modern engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq, where its ability to destroy armored vehicles, fortifications, and other targets proved invaluable. The weapon remains a symbol of Swedish engineering excellence and continues to be a cornerstone of infantry firepower globally.