Have you been reading about some of the hype surrounding Thunder B airsoft grenades? Perhaps you’ve played around a bit with an airsoft grenade launcher and are wondering about how viable these can be in competitive play.

Let’s take a closer look at how airsoft grenade launchers work, how to use them, and what they can be useful for.  

How Does an Airsoft Grenade Launcher Work?

Airsoft grenade launchers consist of a gas reservoir, a BB chamber/chambers, and a valve that controls release.

Many airsoft grenade launchers/airsoft grenade launcher attachments are 40mm models (although some under-barrel airsoft attachments accept 6mm airsoft BBs and not 40mm shells).

The launcher’s gas reservoir contains the gas that is stored under pressure and which provides the energy to launch the BBs when the trigger is pulled. These reservoirs are filled in much the same way that the gas magazines of GBB airsoft guns are filled.

In many of these airsoft attachments, the chambers can hold from one to 20 BBs, and in some cases, there can be as many as 10 separate chambers, giving a total capacity of 200 BBs.

Some of these airsoft grenade launchers have a special O-ring that functions sort of like a hop-up rubber, causing the BBs to spread uniformly when the attachment is discharged.

Between the BB chamber and the gas reservoir, there is a valve that is actuated either by a trigger or a push button actuator. When you push the button or pull the trigger, the valve opens, releasing the pressurized gas and causing the grenade launcher to discharge.

There is one big difference between these airsoft attachments and typical gas magazines used with GBB airsoft guns. Only a small amount is used to fire a single BB from a GBB airsoft gun, but with a grenade launcher, the entire magazine is usually depleted with one shot.

Therefore these systems are often a one-time use tool in an airsoft match, and you need to refill the reservoir before they can be fired again.

How to Use These Airsoft Attachments/Tips

To get the most out of your grenade launcher airsoft attachments, consider the following:

• If you find that your grenade launcher is not delivering the power or range that you would like to see, even with a full charge of gas, consider loading it with fewer BBs. The more BBs you fire per shot, the heavier the payload will be, and the shorter the range. Shooting fewer BBs per discharge will increase the power and range of the attachment.

• When not in use, consider keeping your gas reservoir full of maintenance gas. Another thing is to make sure you inspect your O-rings from time to time. If they dry out they can become brittle and crack, which will make it difficult to load the launcher. If they wear out, they will also rob the attachment of power.

• If you can, don’t load the launcher until you’re ready (or nearly ready) to use it. Loading the attachment beforehand increases the likelihood that BBs will break loose or drop out of the launcher before you fire it.

• There is no perfect time to use a launcher. Just use it when you find yourself in a situation and need to dispatch a large number of targets quickly.

Are These Attachments Permitted at Airsoft Events?

That depends on the administrator of the airsoft event, but there is a chance that they are permitted. Make sure you specify whether you mean airsoft grenades carried loose in a vest, an airsoft grenade launcher, or an under-mounted airsoft attachment. When in doubt, ask.

Do Airsoft Grenade Launchers Have Any Practical Uses?

Both airsoft grenades and airsoft grenade launcher attachments can be useful in certain situations, although not always in the same situations.

An airsoft grenade launcher attachment can be a practical tool and a last-ditch safeguard against getting overwhelmed by numerous opponents at close range. They can also be highly practical for clearing out rooms in CQB.

One drawback is that the launcher attachments must be fired. This, in some situations, makes regular handheld airsoft grenades more practical.

For instance, you can’t fire a grenade launcher attachment over a wall or around corners. That said, you can lob a grenade over a wall, around a corner, or into a room. One more advantage of some handheld airsoft grenades is that they produce a much more uniform blast, whereas launchers only throw a wide pattern forward, sort of like an airsoft shotgun on steroids.

So, both of these airsoft accessories can be useful  - just under their own sets of circumstances.

The Best Prices on Airsoft Grenade Launchers and Other Airsoft Attachments

Interested in getting a few airsoft grenades for your vest? Want to look into a grenade launcher attachment for your airsoft rifle?

We offer the best of all things airsoft here, including spare magazines and speed loaders in addition to these attachments, and we offer them at the best prices in the industry, guaranteed.

Our price match guarantee (with no coupon code required) ensures you’ll get the best prices on whatever you’re looking for, be it a new AEG or an airsoft grenade launcher attachment.

If you have any questions or are looking for something specific, get in touch with us at 800-581-6620.