Description
25mm M791 APDS-T Tungsten Penetrator Without Sabot in 25x137mm Steel Case – M242 Bushmaster Display Round
This 25mm M791 Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot-Tracer (APDS-T) item combines an original-style M791 tungsten penetrator/subprojectile with a 25x137mm steel cartridge case. The original sabot that normally surrounds the penetrator is not present.
Because the sabot is missing, this is not a complete M791 cartridge in its original as-issued configuration. It is best suited as a display, reference, or component example showing the M791's internal armor-piercing element and its relationship to the much larger 25mm cartridge case.
Historical Significance
The M791 was one of the original anti-armor cartridges developed for the 25mm M242 Bushmaster Chain Gun, a weapon closely associated with the U.S. Army's M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the U.S. Marine Corps LAV-25.
The M242 entered service during the Cold War and gave light armored vehicles a powerful automatic cannon capable of using several specialized ammunition types. These included high-explosive, target-practice, dummy, and armor-piercing cartridges.
For armor engagement, the M791 used the APDS-T principle: Armor Piercing, Discarding Sabot with Tracer. Rather than using a full-bore 25mm armor-piercing projectile, the cartridge carried a smaller and denser tungsten penetrator inside a lightweight sabot.
The M791 served as a primary armor-piercing cartridge for the M242 family before the later M919 APFSDS-T was introduced with improved anti-armor performance. The M791 remains an important part of the history of both the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the LAV-25.
What This Item Is and Does
A complete M791 consists of a tungsten penetrator contained within a lightweight sabot and seated in a 25x137mm steel cartridge case.
The sabot brings the smaller penetrator up to the full 25mm bore diameter and supports it while traveling through the cannon. After leaving the muzzle, the sabot separates from the penetrator.
The smaller tungsten element then continues toward the target. The “-T” in APDS-T identifies the tracer feature used with the original projectile assembly.
This example allows the central penetrator to be seen without the large sabot surrounding it.
Missing Sabot / Component Configuration
The lack of a sabot is an important part of this listing.
A standard military M791 has a visibly much larger projectile section because the tungsten penetrator is enclosed by the sabot. Without that component, the narrow penetrator appears unusually small compared with the 25mm case.
Therefore, this item should not be represented as a complete factory-loaded M791 round.
It is more accurately described as an:
M791 APDS-T penetrator/subprojectile displayed in a 25x137mm steel cartridge case, without the original sabot.
This configuration is especially useful for explaining how discarding-sabot ammunition works.
Key Features
- Designation: M791
- Caliber: 25x137mm
- Type: Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot-Tracer
- Abbreviation: APDS-T
- DODIC: A974
- Primary weapon: M242 Bushmaster Chain Gun
- U.S. Army application: M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle family
- U.S. Marine Corps application: LAV-25
- Penetrator material: Tungsten
- Standard cartridge-case material: Carbon steel
- Original projectile construction: Tungsten penetrator with lightweight sabot
- Sabot on this item: Missing / not included
- Cartridge case: Steel
- Configuration: Component/display assembly
- Complete as-issued M791 cartridge: No
- Successor: M919 APFSDS-T
U.S. ammunition records list several NSNs for the M791 depending on packaging and linked configuration, so a single NSN should not be assigned to this loose display assembly without its original packaging.
M242 Bushmaster Application
The M242 Bushmaster is a 25mm chain-driven automatic cannon developed for armored fighting vehicles.
Major U.S. applications include:
- M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle
- M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle
- Later Bradley-family vehicles
- U.S. Marine Corps LAV-25
The M791 was developed for use against light armored vehicles and similar materiel targets. Modern U.S. Army ammunition references specifically note that it was developed to defeat light armor through the BMP-2 class.
M791 and M919
The later M919 APFSDS-T eventually replaced the M791 as the primary U.S. anti-materiel cartridge for the M242.
The two cartridges should not be confused. The M791 is an APDS-T design using a tungsten penetrator, while the M919 is an APFSDS-T design using a long, fin-stabilized penetrator.
The M791 therefore represents an earlier generation of U.S. 25mm armor-piercing technology and an important step in the development of ammunition for the Bradley's main gun.
Why This Item Matters
Most complete M791 cartridges hide the tungsten penetrator inside the sabot. An example without the sabot provides a much clearer view of the component that actually continues toward the target after sabot separation.
That makes this piece especially useful for comparing:
- Full-bore 25mm projectiles
- APDS ammunition
- APFSDS ammunition
- Tungsten penetrators
- Sabot construction
- M791 and M919 development
It is a strong technical display item for a collection focused on the M242 Bushmaster, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, LAV-25, or modern U.S. automatic-cannon ammunition.
About This Item
This listing is for one 25mm M791 APDS-T penetrator/subprojectile in a 25x137mm steel cartridge case without the original sabot.
The item may show scratches, case finish wear, oxidation, staining, handling marks, discoloration, or other signs of age and storage.
The missing sabot is intentional to the configuration being offered and should not be mistaken for a complete standard M791 projectile.
The M242 cannon, sabot, ammunition link, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, LAV-25, ammunition container, and other components are not included.
Ideal For
- M242 Bushmaster ammunition collections
- M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle displays
- LAV-25 collections
- 25x137mm cartridge collections
- M791 APDS-T displays
- Tungsten penetrator collections
- Sabot-ammunition educational displays
- U.S. Cold War ordnance collections
- Military museums
- Technical-reference collections
- M791 and M919 comparison displays
Approx length 8", Approx width 1.5", Approx height 1.5", Approx weight 0.7lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item's general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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