Carl Gustaf 20 mm recoilless rifle | |
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![]() 20 mm pansarvärnsgevär m/42 | |
Type | Man-portable anti-tank system/anti-tank rifle |
Place of origin | Sweden |
Service history | |
In service | 1942–??? |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | The Troubles |
Production history | |
Designed |
|
Produced | 1942-1944[2] |
No. built | 1000[1] |
Specifications | |
Mass | 11 kg (24 lb)[1] |
Length | 1,450 mm (57 in)[1] |
Crew | Two (gunner and loader), could be used by a single operator[3] |
Cartridge | 20×180mmR Bofors |
Caliber | 20 mm |
Action | recoilless, single-shot |
Muzzle velocity | 900–950 m/s (3,000–3,100 ft/s)[3] |
Effective firing range | iron sights are calibrated to 300 meters |
Maximum firing range | Ammunition-dependent, usually 400 to 1,000 m (1,300 to 3,300 ft) |
Feed system | Hinged breech[3] |
Sights | Open (iron) sights; Meopta ZF-4 optical sight[3] |
The Carl Gustaf 20 mm recoilless rifle, service name 20 mm pansarvärnsgevär m/42 (20 mm pvg m/42), meaning "20 mm antitank rifle model 1942", was the first recoilless rifle produced by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori. The weapon had a penetration of just over 4 cm RHA with its standard solid shot armour piercing projectile and quickly became obsolete against modern armour, leading to the development of higher caliber recoilless guns, eventually resulting in the Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless rifle in 1948.