More media hilarity at L.A. gun buy-back event

[OakRidgeStars]

"Oh noes, someone turned in an assault rocket launcher thingy!!!!111111!!!"

Ah, those wacky firearms experts in the media

http://ktla.com/2012/12/28/l-a-s-gun-bu ... -firearms/

[gunderwood]

Yes, as far as I've heard, it was just the tubes, not actual rockets. Basically a metal tube on a tripod that collectors like. Not useful unless you can get the right rocket or know how to manufacturer one; in either case the tube is the least of your worries.

[Gotlabs]

I thought hose rocket launcher thingys were a one time use item.

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[grumpyMSG]

Yes, as far as I've heard, it was just the tubes, not actual rockets. Basically a metal tube on a tripod that collectors like. Not useful unless you can get the right rocket or know how to manufacturer one; in either case the tube is the least of your worries.

The AT4 isn't even aluminium, it is just a fiberglass tube with a simple spring loaded firing mechanism that hits a primer just like a regular rifle or pistol round. the flame travels through an "umbilical cord" to the propellant in the rocket. No tripod involved, what they showed was the tube from an expended round.

[gunderwood]

Yes, as far as I've heard, it was just the tubes, not actual rockets. Basically a metal tube on a tripod that collectors like. Not useful unless you can get the right rocket or know how to manufacturer one; in either case the tube is the least of your worries.

The AT4 isn't even aluminium, it is just a fiberglass tube with a simple spring loaded firing mechanism that hits a primer just like a regular rifle or pistol round. the flame travels through an "umbilical cord" to the propellant in the rocket. No tripod involved, what they showed was the tube from an expended round.

I didn't hear what model they had gotten, but at least one picture they showed had a tripod. Of course it's not like they wouldn't find a picture of a 1911 and caption it as a Glock or anything...

[AlanM]

This picture:

found here:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... igins.html

shows that the device has a yellow band painted on it that a poster on another forum says indicates that it is a training device and was never intended to fire a live round.

[zimm17]

Yellow band means its a real explosive. But it's an empty fired tube, not a weapon. Media hype at its best.

[KaosDad]

Sunday's WaPo reported they were DEMILED souvenir type display models. All internals had been gutted out.

[GeneFrenkle]

Kinda wonder what the roi was on them.

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[VACoastie]

All is well and dandy, but we all also know how many weapon illiterate folks are out there. They see a tube that looks like something from Hollywood and everyone will assume it'll blow to smitherines the tarnation out of such-n-such.

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[grumpyMSG]

Sunday's WaPo reported they were DEMILED souvenir type display models. All internals had been gutted out.

It is simple to get: "All internals had been gutted out." Somebody followed the instructions on the side of the AT-4 (it's commonly referred to name, technically referred to as the M136). In other words they shot it. The launcher will have a serial number and with a little research, they will figure out which military installation it was fired on and which unit shot it. The ammo supply point should even have some record of how it was disposed or/ recycled. zimm17 was 100% correct about the yellow stripe meaning it was a live round with a warhead at one time. If it had been intended for use as a trainer after firing, it would have had blue stripes painted on it.

The only way it could really cause much anxiety is, if it was issued to a unit in one of the conflicts we have been in the last few years. Sometimes, the paper trail in theatre can be thin to non-existent. That would also mean they had some serious breaches in customs moving into and out of theatre.

[FiremanBob]

I hope he used the money to buy ammo.

[AlanM]

Re: the meaning of the yellow band.
I stand corrected. Goes to show you that not everything you read on the web is true.

[skeeterss0]

just wanted to give credit to the blue markings being training related. In my experience in the Marines we always used blue to indicate training. There were blue casings of anti-personnel mines with blasting caps in them used to simulate live mines.