Grenade Launcher legal?

Swantiago

I don't know if this has been brought up anywhere and I don't really have the time to trawl through the threads as I'm on a bit if a time limit.

I would appreciate if anyone can weigh in on this.
I'm in Japan and I'm thinking of buying an airsoft grenade launcher.
It's not an attachment for a gun but an actually full size launcher, like a tear gas gun.
Are these legal to bring into Ireland?

I'm not sure if the 1 Joule law applies because the launcher doesn't actually fire pellets because it doesn't have a spring.
It just has a firing pin that sets off pellet loaded gas pressurised grenades.

I don't know much about this but I would presume that the launcher itself is legal but grenades aren't?

Are there varying strengths of grenades you can buy?
Can you buy grenades in Ireland?

Thanks for any feedback!

defenderdude

Swantiago wrote: »

I don't know if this has been brought up anywhere and I don't really have the time to trawl through the threads as I'm on a bit if a time limit.

I would appreciate if anyone can weigh in on this.
I'm in Japan and I'm thinking of buying an airsoft grenade launcher.
It's not an attachment for a gun but an actually full size launcher, like a tear gas gun.
Are these legal to bring into Ireland?

I'm not sure if the 1 Joule law applies because the launcher doesn't actually fire pellets because it doesn't have a spring.
It just has a firing pin that sets off pellet loaded gas pressurised grenades.

I don't know much about this but I would presume that the launcher itself is legal but grenades aren't?

Are there varying strengths of grenades you can buy?
Can you buy grenades in Ireland?

Thanks for any feedback!

Is it like this one?
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056950095

M203 grenades and launchers can be bought easily enough here.
Don't think I'd like the hassle of trying to bring or post one home from Japan.

Swantiago

It's almost identical to the M32 grenade launcher.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkor_MGL


I know it could be a bit of a hassle to mail back, I don't mind paying vat or whatever as long as I know it would pass through customs.

T4RGET

Swantiago wrote: »

It's almost identical to the M32 grenade launcher.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkor_MGL


I know it could be a bit of a hassle to mail back, I don't mind paying vat or whatever as long as I know it would pass through customs.

you'll get one of them over here for about 250 so i would weigh up the actual cost of the launcher over there. you have to factor in shipping, VAT and customs. then if it is seized, game over. just something to consider.

The grenades can be bought over here pretty easily. as for the varying power in different grenades. thats a tough one. The launchers don't have a muzzle as such and they fire more than one BB so are hard to chrono. Logically the grenades capable of taking CO2 will produce more pressure though.

Swantiago

Thanks for your reply!

Oh, you can get them here? I've been looking at websites but none seem to offer it. You wouldn't happen to know any shops that have it?

The price would probably work out the same in total if it gets caught for vat.

Although if you can get it over here , then why would customs seize it?

T4RGET

Swantiago wrote: »

Thanks for your reply!

Oh, you can get them here? I've been looking at websites but none seem to offer it. You wouldn't happen to know any shops that have it?

The price would probably work out the same in total if it gets caught for vat.

Although if you can get it over here , then why would customs seize it?

well we can get may AEG's and pistols over here that customs still seize, once they're over the Joule especially. You've got to see if from their point of view though, they may not know what airsoft is. Some companies but a red or oragne sticker declaring they're toys. But i once had a sticker saying; 'airsoft, replica firearms, not for use as toys, 18+'. Now granted i got the package through but although the companies think they're helping, someone seeing that may get a bit suspicious, they check the contents and find a revolving grenade launcher; things will only get worse

Either way here is a link to the GL, something like this you're looking for is it?
http://www.airsofteire.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1506&category_id=60&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26

Swantiago

Thanks for your relply!

I think I might but it for €150 and dissasmble it and bring it back separately to avoid tax. I'll mail a couple of pieces and take a couple in my cases. And send the grenades by ship mail.

That should be fine.

What do you reckon?
Will customs clear it as a whole?
Or is several bits ok to ship?

T4RGET

Swantiago wrote: »

Thanks for your relply!

I think I might but it for €150 and dissasmble it and bring it back separately to avoid tax. I'll mail a couple of pieces and take a couple in my cases. And send the grenades by ship mail.

That should be fine.

What do you reckon?
Will customs clear it as a whole?
Or is several bits ok to ship?

taking it apart is actually not a bad idea, say that'll get through alright. Having said that I honestly don't know like . If you are buying it over there and breaking it apart make sure you breaking it apart in such a way to make the pieces look at inconspicuous as possible. Personally would still buy over here, saves a lot of hassle but if you're that inclined, it's probably your best bet.

Swantiago

Yeah, I really want it because its here and I've fired it but I know if I don't get it now ill never get around to getting it at home.

It will all depend on how much I can disassemble it but ill try and get the trigger and handle in my case and ship the rest as toy parts.

I'll let you know how I get on!

Growler!!!

My advice mate is do not disassemble it. Two reasons:

If airport security see something suspicious what are you going to tell them. "I'm importing parts of a disassembled toy grenade launcher. I took it apart to deceive you so you wouldn't find the whole lot of it cos you might charge me import fees."

If posting it in parts what if one of the packages doesn't arrive?

Ultimately it is your choice to make. To save any potential hassle I'd just spend the cash here at home.

Inari

Airsoft guns are not illegal in Japan, or in Ireland - there is no problem bringing them back. However, there are restrictions on how you do so. Generally speaking they need to be in a locked gun case, unloaded.

Check with your airline - they'll be able to tell you straight away.

NakedDex

I have one. It's undoubtedly the least useful airsoft device I own, and I own some obscure and weird crap. It's heavy, bulky, a pig to reload, expensive to operate, and generally useless in 99.9% of situations.

It's still subject to the same power restrictions. The grenade isn't the barrel so much as the cartridge (think of them more like shotgun shells, and the launcher as the shotgun). The launcher muzzle is still the measurement point for power, but every round leaving it must be sub-1J. Problem is, the only accurate way to measure that is with high-speed photography. Upside is, our weather is so lousy, and our average air pressure so low, that its close to impossible to have a (normally operated) grenade breach the 1J limit.
Green/propane grenades won't even come close to half that power. CO2 is your best bet, but stick with grenades that hold less than 100 rounds (longer ones, like the Madbull 204, won't physically fit, and have a rubbish range compared to smaller grenades).
CA and some KA grenades won't work in it, either, due to clearance issues.

Do not use slug grenades. Firstly, they'll breach your power limits (because; physics) and secondly, they'll have a solid chance of jamming in the transition (there's no smooth collaring).


Basically, it's been a black hole of money since I bought it. As with anything in airsoft, it's a personal choice, but unless you're crazy keen for a talking-point wall hanger, I'd recommend avoiding it.
If you do still want it, factor in an extra €150+ on grenades to fill it.