When is a hand grenade live versus safe?

When is a hand grenade live versus safe?

• A. Live when pin is removed and lever released; safe when pin in place and lever secured.
• B. Live when lever is seated; safe when lever is released.
• C. Live when pin is in place and lever secured; safe when lever released.
• D. Live when magazine present.

Answer: (A)

A hand grenade remains safe as long as the safety pin stays in place and the lever (spoon) is held in, which keeps the striker from firing. The grenade becomes live when the safety pin is removed and the lever is released, allowing the striker to ignite the delay fuse and start the arming sequence. Once the lever is released after the pin is out, the fuse begins burning and the grenade will detonate after a short delay. The other options don’t match how the arming mechanism works: the lever’s release triggers arming, not when it’s still seated or when a magazine is involved, and a grenade isn’t armed simply by the lever being seated or by any magazine presence.

A hand grenade remains safe as long as the safety pin stays in place and the lever (spoon) is held in, which keeps the striker from firing. The grenade becomes live when the safety pin is removed and the lever is released, allowing the striker to ignite the delay fuse and start the arming sequence. Once the lever is released after the pin is out, the fuse begins burning and the grenade will detonate after a short delay. The other options don’t match how the arming mechanism works: the lever’s release triggers arming, not when it’s still seated or when a magazine is involved, and a grenade isn’t armed simply by the lever being seated or by any magazine presence.