Milkor 40mm Stopper
Milkor (Pty) Ltd · Shotgun · In Production · 1981
Also known as: Milkor Stopper, Milkor 37/38mm Stopper, Milkor Stopper Convertible, Milkor Single Shot Launcher
Overview
The Milkor 40mm Stopper is a single-shot, break-open riot control launcher developed in South Africa for police and gendarmerie forces. Opening at the breech like a conventional shotgun, it fires a single 37/38mm or 40mm low-velocity cartridge and uses a floating firing pin that keeps the weapon drop-safe. Originating from Andries Piek's 1980 single-shot less-lethal design, the Stopper was introduced by Milkor (Pty) Ltd in 1981 as a low-cost anti-riot weapon during South Africa's arms-embargo era. It launches less-lethal payloads such as rubber ball buckshot, tear-gas canisters and rubber shot, and a Convertible version accepts both 37/38mm and 40mm low-velocity munitions. A skilled operator can deliver up to 12 rounds per minute at ranges out to roughly 400 metres.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2100 g (74.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 700 mm (27.56") |
| Folded Length | 506 mm (19.92") |
| Barrel Length | 390 mm (15.35") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 76 m/s (249 fps) |
| Effective Range | 80 m (87 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 12 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 40x46mm Grenade · primary · 40mm Low Velocity — also known as 40mm LV, 40x46mm LV, 40mm grenade, 40mm less-lethal
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech
- Safety mechanisms: Floating Firing Pin, Manual Safety
- Features: Single Shot Break Open Action, Floating Firing Pin Drop Safety, Retractable Stock, Convertible 37 38 40mm Bore, Less Lethal Munition Capable
Variants
- Milkor 37/38mm Stopper - 37 38mm Bore
- Milkor Stopper Convertible - Convertible Bore
Service history
Operators
- South African Police · adopted 1981
Production
Production years: 1981-present
In continued production by Milkor as part of its less-lethal launcher range
Origin
Country of origin: South Africa
Designer: Andries Piek
Notes
Part of Milkor's Stopper family of single-shot less-lethal launchers; the Convertible model chambers both 37/38mm and 40mm low-velocity rounds. Overall length is roughly 506mm (19.9 in) with the stock retracted and 700mm (27.6 in) extended, with a 390mm (15.4 in) barrel.
Background
Born of the same South African cottage-industry ingenuity that produced the BXP submachine gun, the Stopper let embargo-era police forces field a cheap, rugged single-shot riot launcher. Its floating firing pin and simple break-open breech made it hard to break and safe to drop, and its convertible bore let one weapon deploy the full spread of 37/38mm and 40mm less-lethal munitions.