M-7A3 CS Gas

This grenade produces a dense cloud of CS tear gas. The gas causes

pain in the skin, eyes, throats and lungs. The effects disappear

15 minutes after exposure. The grenade burns for 60 seconds.

Weight: 0.434kg

Effective Throwing Range: 40m

Fuse Delay: 2 seconds

Burst Radius: n/a

Packaging: 16 per case

Package Weight: 13.5kg

GRENADE, HAND, RIOT, CS, M7A2 AND M7A3

General

1. The grenade, hand, riot, CS M7A2 and M7A3 are pyrotechnic types of grenades designed for

flushing enemy troops from dug in positions, command posts. etc, for the purpose of taking

prisoners, and for riot control. It produces d CS cloud that causes irritation and stinging of the

eves, nose, breathing passages and most parts of the body. Extreme concentrations will cause

complete physical incapacity.

2. Details on the tactical use of this grenade on internal security operations, eg, assistance to

federal prisons, may be found in CFP 302, Specific Operations, Volume 8, Aid of the Civil

Power, and in local region operation directives.

250. Description

1. The grenade has a tin-plated body in a cylindrical shape. A M201A1 fuze assembly consisting

of a striker and spring, safety lever., and safety pin is screwed into the top of the body. These are

four emission holes, three on the cop plate and one on the bottom plate. The grenade is filled

with CS in pellet form. See Figure 2-27 and Chap 1, Annex C. 2. For MARKINGS the grenade is

painted GREY with markings in RED. A 12mm (1/2 in) RED band encircles the grenade.

3. The following information is stencilled on the side of the M7A3:

a. nomenclature of grenade;

b. type of filling; and

c. filled lot number.

4. The following information is stamped on the top of the fuze:

a. fuze designation; and

b. filled lot number.

251. Packaging

Each grenade is individually packed in a fibre container, sixteen of which are packed in a

wooden box.

252. Safety Precautions

1. Prior to removing the grenade from its container its must be ensured that the safety pin is

in place.

2. The grenade should be used only under supervision. A high concentration of CS against

untrained personnel may cause panic.

3. Users should ensure that non-belligerents will not be affected in the downwind area.

4. The grenade must not be used against personnel in a confined space unless easy exit is

possible, due to likelihood of causing lung damage.

253. Characteristics

1. The M7A3 riot grenade has the following characteristics:

a. weight - .5 kg (18.5 oz),

b. chemical filler - CS pellets plus a burning mixture;

c. delivery - hand thrown, rifle delivery requires use of M2A1 launcher which is not a CF supply

item;

d. duration of emission - 28 seconds; and

c. danger area - none.

254. Mechanism

The M7A3 grenade requires no preparation. The striker and spring of the M 20A1 fuze assembly

are in a cocked position when issued, in a manner similar to that of a mousetrap when set. They

are kept in position by the safety lever being hooked on to the front of the assembly and secured

to its body by the safety pin. When the safety pin is withdrawn and the safety lever released, the

striker, driven by its spring, throws off the safety lever and rotates about its pivot to strike the

primer. The flash from the primer ignites the safety fuze. The fuze burns for approximately two

seconds before firing the igniter which in turn ignites the starter mixture and the filling. Pressure

developed by the burning filling blows the tapes from the four holes to allow expulsion of smoke

and gas for approximately twenty-eight seconds.