Tag: GP-34

Russia’s RGL Север 1

In early March we looked at the Black Storm Defender, a Ukrainian conversion kit, which turned GP-25 under-barrel grenade launchers into standalone weapons. Since then further research has discovered a very similar conversion design originating from Russia. Developed by a company called RGL (redgreenlight.ru). RGL have developed a number of products including a sight mount for RPG/RPO pattern shoulder-fired launchers and a small light which can illuminate turrets on optics for use in lowlight conditions. They developed their stock for the GP25 and GP34 in 2019, with refinements in 2022. It was reportedly developed independently of the Black Storm Defender – with both companies developing very similar products.

Comparison between Север 1 (top) & Blackstorm Defender (bottom)

RGL’s website has some specs on their system – the Север 1, noting its length is 480mm and its weight is ‘no more 1100g’. The stock adapter is priced at 17,000 Russian Ruble (or around $220). 

Photos of the Север 1 with GP-25 fitted and disassembled (via RGL)

So similar are the two designs that images at 5:21 and a clip at 6:55 actually show Север 1s rather than Defenders. A Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel posted the photo below, with the caption: “For those who want to order – mid-May production time, place an order in advance.”

An RGL Север 1 fitted with a TAG-35, an airsoft clone of the GP-34 grenade launcher (via social media)

The key differences between the two appear to be a different kind of butt pad, the positioning of the sling loops, some machining on the extension which attaches to the launcher and most fundamentally a reversal of which parts of the stock telescope. On the Defender the rear section telescopes inside the front while on the Север the front portion appears to telescope inside the rear section. The Север 1 does not appear to come with a frontgrip or a grip extension. The Север 1 has been seen in use in Ukraine with Russian combatants.

Update – 14/07/23: Russian military ‘influencer’ Razvedos shared several photos of the RGL Север 1 standalone stock for GP series underbarrel grenade launchers. Razvedos recommended it saying: “I recommend the best solution in this niche today from RGL.”

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Bibliography:

Black Storm Defender, Black Storm, (source)

RGL Север 1, RGL, (source)

Thanks to Abraxas Spa for their help with this video.