MON-50 Questions..

[motorcityman]

What do they use as shrapnal? Is it ball bearings like in an M18 claymore? Also if you guys know are the MON-50 trainers weighted like an original?

 

[US-Subs]

It's more of a cut rod. Don't remember seeing a trainer as such, there are the live items, then the same items marked with white as not explosive loaded, same as with the OZMs. I've seen live items in green and brown.

 

[US-Subs]

I think I have an open one at home, if nobody beats me to it I'll try and take some photos tonight.

 

[EODGUY]

The MON 50 does not use ball bearings in the fragment matrix. It contains chopped rod fragments somewhat neatly laid out in vertical rows under the plastic matrix. I have not chipped one out, but each fragment is approximately 1/4" long and about 3/16" in diameter. None of the MON series of mines (50, 100, 200) use ball bearings that I have ever seen. My guess is that is is purely an economic driven thing. No matter what quality of material they are made of, steel balls are more expensive than chopping up a straight steel rod. Both are equally as effective in the close range of the Claymore/MON mines.
I have seen MON 50 training mines both empty and filled with a tan putty-like inert filling. This particular one had the putty-like material in it.

Bob

 

[EODGUY]

Grrr....forgot the photos I had. Bob

 

[US-Subs]

Bob,
yours is as I was discussing - the same mine (live vs training) with the white marks for training vs HE fill - have you ever seen a separate and different training mine, as the US did with many types?

 

[motorcityman]

Guys, thanks for the info! I sent off an email to the fella i'm looking to buy one from to see if it's empty or not.

 

[EODGUY]

Jeff, No, all the training mines I have ever seen have been of this type. I was told that someone in Cambodia had a solid plastic version with Soviet markings, but when I was there I was neve able to track him or it down. bob

 

[US-Subs]

Here's a couple of mine in green and brown.

 

[overkill]

http://www.saper.etel.ru/mines/mon-50.html
On russian... Number of fragments: 489 ball bearings or 540 roll bearings.