Carl Gustaf usually refers to a number of products and developments associated with Swedish defense and weapons manufacturing, most notably the Carl Gustaf multi-purpose reloading rifle, a recoilless rifle capable of firing a wide range of ammunition for different uses. In addition, the name Carl Gustaf also stands for the Swedish state-owned arms company Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori, which has manufactured various weapons throughout its history. In this article, we will focus on the recoilless rifle, often referred to as "Carl Gustaf" for short.

Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle

The Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle, officially called the "Granatgevär m/48" and internationally known as the Carl Gustaf M2/M3/M4, is a portable, multi-purpose reloading rifle originally introduced by the Swedish Army in 1946. It was developed for infantry to provide highly effective fire support at short to medium ranges. The weapon system can fire a variety of ammunition types including, but not limited to, high explosive, smoke, flare and armor piercing rounds.

Development and design

The design of the Carl Gustaf was developed in the late 1940s by Hugo Abramson and Harald Jentzen at the Swedish state-owned defense company FFV (Försvarets Fabriksverk) and then produced at Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori. The system uses the principle of the recoilless weapon, in which the recoil forces are balanced by the discharge of gases from the rear of the weapon. This technology made it possible to create a relatively light and portable weapon system that still offers considerable firepower.

Technical specifications

• Caliber: Originally designed in 84 mm caliber.
• Variants: M2 (original version), M3 (improved version with reduced weight and improved sights), and M4 (latest version, even lighter and with more modern customization options).
• Weight: The weight varies depending on the model; the latest M4 version weighs approximately 7 kg.
• Effective range: Up to 400 meters for pinpoint targets and up to 1,000 meters for area targets with various types of ammunition.
• Ammunition: A variety of ammunition types allow use against a wide range of targets, from infantry to bunkers to lightly armored vehicles.

Deployment

The Carl Gustaf system is used by over 40 countries worldwide and has proven to be a valuable tool for infantry units in numerous conflicts. It enables small units to effectively combat a wide range of threats without having to rely on heavier support weapons. The latest version, the Carl Gustaf M4, has been developed with modern requirements in mind and offers improvements in terms of weight, flexibility and compatibility with future technologies.

Significance and legacy

The Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle has established itself as one of the most versatile and durable infantry weapon systems. Its ability to fire different types of ammunition for different operational scenarios, as well as the continuous development and improvement of the system, ensure its relevance on the modern battlefield. The Carl Gustaf remains a prime example of Swedish engineering and innovation in the defense industry.