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 The CM-3 37mm launcher We were recently given the opportunity to take a look at CMPGunParts' 37mm launchers. You may have seen a CMP launcher for sale at a local gun show, or perhaps on one of the online auction sites. The 'shotgun' version looks like an oversized 12 gauge shotgun, and is available with or without an AR15 retractable stock. The 'slamfire' version looks like a smaller version with a foreward grip. Both are very heavy duty launchers, made of steel--no aluminum barrels here! Both launchers also have a black oxide finish, though CMP is soon going to be offering launchers in different colors. First we'll take a look at the slam-fire version, known as the CM-3 Slam Fire Flare Launcher. The CM-3 has been designed and tested to withstand up to 30,000 PSI. CMP says that this launcher has been around for over 15 years, and in 1992 began to be mass-produced. It retails for $75, and can sometimes be found on GunBroker.com for $65. The unit operates like this: the front grip is twisted and pulled forward, which separates the front part of the unit from the back part of the unit and cocks the trigger. You insert a flare round into the front section of the launcher. Then, after replacing the front part of the unit into the back part of the unit, you keep pressure on the unit by pulling back on the front grip. When you're ready to fire, you pull the trigger, which slams the front part of the unit into the firing pin, firing the flare round. The CM-3 will accept flares of all sizes and types, including those long cases sold by Brassman. For those looking for a low-cost 37mm launcher, the CM-3 fits the bill perfectly. CMP's 'shotgun style' launcher, known as the CM-55, was designed to handle loads up to 40,000 PSI. The unit is loaded by pulling the barrel out, away from the pistol grip, and twisting it counter-clockwise so that it opens. Unlike other launchers, it will handle rounds of all sizes and lengths. In fact, it was able to accept every 37mm round I tried in it, including the long parachute flares, CS rounds and all commercially available 37mm rounds. The unit weighs about 6 pounds, including the optional AR15 4 position stock, and is very well made--this thing is a tank!! If you're looking for a launcher that is built to take almost anything you can throw at it, the CM-55 is your launcher! CMP started making the CM-55 in the early 80's, and, like the CM-3, they started mass production in the 1990's. The unit ships without the stock for $150, and the adapter and stock cost an additional $60, and are well worth it, but CMP offers a deal where you can buy both together for $180. Additionally, they also market a wood stock that fits the CM-55, and it sells for $25 (though I didn't see one in person, it looks very nice in the photo that CMP enclosed, shown below).
 The CM-55 37mm launcher. The CM-55 would be an ideal launcher for police agencies, and makes a great launcher to take along while hunting, fishing, boating, or other outdoor activities where you may need to signal for assistance. It is one of the most well built launchers I have been afforded the opportunity to check out, and for the price, you just can't beat it. You fire the unit by first putting the unit on safety (which, btw, is very hardy--it isn't coming off 'safe' unless you take it off), loading a round into the barrel and putting the barrel back into position, and then pulling back on the charging handle. The unit is then ready to fire. The launcher can be in the safe position in both the cocked and uncocked position, btw. When testing the unit, it performed flawlessly with the rounds I fired from it (smoke and flares), and the heavy nature of the unit reduced the noticable recoil tremendously. I prefered to fire the unit with the stock attached, though one could easily fire the unit without the stock. The only drawback I could think of is the lack of a sight--but flare and gas launchers weren't really designed with accuracy in mind, and as such, the CM-55 works exactly as it was intended. The manager of CMP is Cheryl E. Richardson, and she's a wonderful person to deal with. The company has been in business since 1979, and is well known and well established. They also developed and were the first to sell the first 37mm M203 look-alike launcher, the CM-2037, which I did not have the chance to look at. It is also made entirely of steel, and sells for $200, though at this time they are currently out of stock on this unit. If it is anything like the CM-3 and CM-55, I'm sure it is a very high quality launcher.
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