Fans of the popular Call of Duty video game series likely know the “9-Bang” or “9-Banger” all too well. It is a throwable concussion device seen in several Modern Warfare and related titles. Like many of the firearms and other weapons in Call of Duty, the 9-Bang is real—based on such models as the CTS 7290-9 Flashbang and NICO 9 Bang.
But there is a bit more to the story.
History of Concussion Grenades
Hand grenades have existed for centuries, and arguably the first hand-thrown explosive or incendiary bombs appeared at the height of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire around the 8th century, when jars filled with the infamous and mysterious “Greek Fire,” were thrown at enemy soldiers. A few hundred years later, saltpeter-based gunpowder was developed in China and used as primitive bombs.
It was in the 15th century that these made their way to Europe and, over time, were placed in metal shells, creating what could be described as the first true grenades. The word “grenade,” in fact, comes from the French “pomegranate,” and scholars suggest this is because the early hand grenades (as well as their modern counterparts) did resemble the fruits, but also because the pomegranate tends to “explode” as it ripens to spread seeds over a vast perimeter. The fact remains that the grenade had stuck.
As grenades evolved, they were carried by a specific type of trooper, namely the “grenadiers.”
It should be remembered that grenades of the 15th to 18th centuries were essentially bombs loaded with powder and containing a fuse. The grenadiers had to have the strength to throw these heavy hulks of steel to great distances. It was only in the years leading up to World War I that the hand grenade transformed into what we recognize today.
Even before it had its evolution, it was understood that those not killed by the explosion could still be stunned. The concept of “concussion” came far more recently. Yet, it wasn’t until the 1970s that concussion grenades were developed.
These arrived as the British Army’s Special Air Service (SAS) developed a counterterrorism wing. As terrorist groups emerged on the scene, it was determined that a weapon needed to be developed that could be employed to incapacitate an enemy without seriously injuring innocent bystanders or hostages. Thus came the first “stun grenades” – also known as flash grenades, flashbang, thunderflash, and sound bound.
Non-Lethal – At Least in Theory
Instead of an explosive that is meant to send shrapnel towards an adversary, the stun grenade produces a blinding flash of an extremely loud “bang” – as great as seven mega candela (Mcd) and an intensely loud sound of greater than 170 decibels (dB).
The use of the grenade/flash-bang has been dubbed “banging a room.”
Though less lethal, such ordnance can still cause serious harm – and even kill someone – if the grenade is detonated in close proximity. It is meant to blind an individual for several seconds, while the detonation is meant to cause temporary deafness. There have been cases of permanent hearing loss reported from the use of stun grenades.
The bigger concern is that stun grenades can produce fires that can get out of control rather quickly. In fact, numerous fires broke out from the flashbangs during the SAS’s 1980 assault on the Iranian Embassy that had been taken over by armed terrorists.
The 7290-9 Flash-Bang
Today, the 7290-9 Flash-Bang is marketed to the military and law enforcement. It is an “ATF-controlled Class-C explosive device” that is noted for emitting a bright light and thunderous noise to distract potentially dangerous individuals.
Because it is a Class-C explosive device, it isn’t one that consumers can order, and even law enforcement use is carefully monitored.
According to its maker, Combined Systems, Inc., “The 7290-9 Flashbang device provides 9 unique flash bang actions within a single hand-safe assembly. The device provides arrhythmic outputs approximately 0.5 seconds apart. The unit is designed to be hand-safe and provides a physical feature to locate the top and bottom of the grenade when handling.”
7290-9 Flashbang Specs:
Type: Multiple Output Noise Flash Diversion Device, Single use
Body Material: Aluminum, Black, Anodized
Diversion Device Output 180 dB max @ 5 feet
Light Output: Approx. 1 million candlepower per charge
Length: 5.7 inches max including fuze, 4 inches hand safe length
Diameter: 2.1 inches
Weight: 550 grams maximum
Explosive Weight: 14.5 gm/unit Blast Ports 19 (9 top, 10 bottom)
Fuze Type: Model 201 Fuze Delay 1.5 +/- 0.3 sec.
The NICO 9 Bang
Another “popular” stun grenade is the German-made NICO 9 BANG, which has been adopted by multiple NATO nations, including for military and police use. Exact details on it are sparse due to it being actively employed by the German armed forces, but it is also marketed as a “non-lethal” ordnance that can cause temporary loss of hearing and balance.
NICO 9 Bang Technical Specs:
Total Height: 111mm
Body Diameter: 40mm
Empty Weight: 724 grams
9-Banger in Action
Apart from joining the military or police SWAT team, about the only way to fully experience the effects of a 9-Banger in action might be to take a bunch of people hostage – WHICH WE ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NOT RECOMMENDING. IT WAS A JOKE AND A BAD ONE AT THAT.
However, the point remains that you probably don’t want to see a 9-Banger in action, especially if you aren’t in the military or working for the police. It could mean you’ve been taken hostage, and while it is the sort of device that could facilitate your rescue, the experience isn’t likely to be pleasant!
So stick to video games or YouTube videos like this one:
9 BANG FLASHBANG IN AFGHANISTAN
We work pretty hard on this stuff. Do us a solid if you’re getting anything out of our writing!
Peter Suciu
About the Author
PeterSuciu is a Michigan-based freelance writer who regularly covers firearms related topics and military history. As a reporter, his work has appeared in dozens of magazines, newspapers, and websites. Among those are Homeland Security Today, Armchair General, Military Heritage, The Mag Life, Newsweek, The Federalist, AmmoLand, Breach-Bang-Clear, Newsweek, RECOILweb, Wired, and many (many) others. He has collected military small arms and military helmets most of his life, and just recently navigated his first NFA transfer to buy his first machine gun. He is co-author of the book A Gallery of Military Headdress, which was published in February 2019. It is his third book on the topic of military hats and helmets.
