Description
25mm M791 Penetrator Without Penetrator Windscreen
Item Overview
This 25mm M791 penetrator is the solid tungsten-alloy core from the M791 Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot-Tracer projectile. The pressed-on aluminum penetrator windscreen is not included, leaving the main armor-piercing core. This is an inert projectile component rather than a complete cartridge or complete projectile assembly.
Identification and Features
The M791 was the standard armor-piercing service cartridge for the 25mm M242 Bushmaster. Its penetrator was made from dense tungsten alloy and defeated armor through speed and kinetic energy rather than an explosive warhead.
- Component: M791 penetrator
- Parent cartridge: Cartridge, 25mm, APDS-T, M791
- Cartridge size: 25×137mm
- Penetrator material: Tungsten alloy
- Cataloged penetrator weight: 102 grams
- Windscreen: Not included
- Original windscreen material: Aluminum
- Stabilization: Spin stabilized
- Primary weapon: M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon
- Complete-round DODAC: 1305-A974
- Explosive penetrator filler: None
- Status: Inert component
How the Penetrator Worked
In the complete M791 projectile, a molded nylon sabot held the smaller penetrator in the center of the cannon bore. After the projectile left the barrel, air pressure and spinning forces caused the sabot to separate and fall away. The tungsten-alloy core continued toward the target at high speed and penetrated light armor through kinetic energy. The missing aluminum windscreen provided the core with a streamlined nose shape during flight.
Complete M791 Projectile Assembly
The complete M791 projectile included the tungsten-alloy penetrator, pressed-on aluminum windscreen, tracer pellets, molded nylon sabot, polyethylene nose cap, and staked aluminum base. That projectile was crimped into a percussion-primed steel 25×137mm cartridge case. This listing is for the penetrator without its windscreen, not for the complete projectile, sabot, cartridge case, or assembled round.
Historical Background
The M791 became the primary armor-piercing service round for the M242 Bushmaster during the late Cold War. The M242 was installed on the M2 and M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and the U.S. Marine Corps LAV-25. M791 ammunition was designed to engage lightly armored vehicles, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled weapons, and similar targets. The later M919 APFSDS-T offered improved performance against newer armor, but the M791 remains an important part of Bradley and Bushmaster ammunition history.
Condition
This inert military projectile component may show scratches, discoloration, oxidation, machining marks, storage residue, or wear from removal and handling. The aluminum penetrator windscreen is not included. This listing is for one M791 penetrator only; the sabot, nose cap, cartridge case, propellant, primer, complete round, weapon, and other parts are not included unless specifically pictured or stated.
Ideal For
This component is well suited for collections and displays explaining sabot ammunition, kinetic-energy penetration, and the M242 Bushmaster weapon system.
- M791 APDS-T displays
- M242 Bushmaster collections
- M2 and M3 Bradley exhibits
- LAV-25 restoration displays
- 25mm ammunition collections
- Military museums and educational exhibits
Approx length 2", Approx width 0.5", Approx height 0.5", Approx weight .22 lbs.
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.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times.