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Sage Ordnance 37mm Box Magazine Launcher BML-37

If there was anything at the 2014 SHOT show which I deemed utterly unnecessary but highly desirable in my civilian life, it was the Sage Ordnance BML-37. The BML-37 is the first 37mm launching system I've seen which didn't use a revolving cylinder (Milkor, Defense Technologies, Penn Arms, etc) or belt (Mk.19). The BML-37's box magazine is fixed in place so you can't change it out quickly, although its top-fed configuration does mean you could reload it faster than either of the other two options. The feed system also permits it to be "topped off" like a pump shotgun, which means you aren't stuck with the decision to either spend an extended time reloading or continue running with lower capacity. The one logistical drawback to the BML-37 is the fact it uses the Arwen-37 cartridge system to avoid feed issues which would arise from the rims of conventional 37mm and 40mm munitions.

At first impression, anyone who's seen Warhammer 40k weapons will recognize its uncanny resemblance to a Bolter with a buttstock. I wouldn't be surprised to see a mid-budget WH40K movies using these, with a little bit of decoration, as bolters.

And yes, it's pretty much impossible not to grin when you're holding one.

Pictures

The right side. As is the trend, it accepts standard AR-15 carbine style buttstocks, and has picatinny rails for sights, forward grip, etc.

Immediately in front of the EOtech is the top of the magazine. Notice that you can drop a shell right in, like an SKS or Mosin with the bolt open.

Indexing a dummy Arwen-37 round to be inserted into the action.

Pressing it down into the action

The BML-37 is now loaded with a few dummy rounds.

Notice that the trigger is huge - it's designed to be pulled with two fingers, not one. Why? Well, that's because of the fascinating action which the BML-37 uses. When you pull the trigger, you're actually cocking the weapon. The launcher does NOT use recoil energy to cycle - all power involved in cycling the weapon is provided by your trigger pull! This results in a heavy trigger pull which could be an issue in a more precision-critical instrument such as a rifle or a shotgun, but the expected accuracy out of a 37mm system is unlikely to be significantly affected. It is, after all, an area of effect weapon when launching tear gas, etc.

Starting to pull the trigger.

Trigger is almost completely pulled. Notice how the round has moved forward towards the chamber? Resistance is heavy because in addition to moving the shell forward, I'm ALSO charging the spring which will eject the casing after it's fired.

It's fired, and now that I release the trigger, the spent round ejects.

As you can see, this is a rifled bore... and staring down this during an encounter is likely to end very badly.

This control does something, and I don't remember what (yes, that's why I haven't published this yet).

-- SeanNewton - 03 Jun 2014