The M203 is an under-barrel 40mm single-shot launcher for grenades that can be mounted to the rifle. It uses the same rounds that the stand-alone M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilizes the high-low propulsion system to limit recoil forces. Quite versatile and compatible with various rifles and models, the M203 was initially designed for it to work with the U.S. M16 and its carbine counterpart which is called the M4. Launchers can also be fitted onto a C7 that is an Canadian model from the M16 rifle. However, this requires the prior removal of the lower handguard.
Stand-alone versions of the M203 exist, as do versions specifically made for other rifles. The device is attached to the barrel, with the launcher trigger being in on the back of the trigger, just ahead of the magazine for the rifle. The rifle magazine serves as a hand grip to fire the M203. A separate sighting system is installed on rifles that are equipped with the M203 because the rifle's standard sights are not matched to the launcher. The version for the Canadian C7 includes an additional sight that attaches to the sides of the launcher, on the left or right according to the need of the user.
M203 was the only part from the arm's Special Purpose Individual Weapon (SPIW) project that went into production. The M203 has been in service since the year 1969, and was made available for use by U.S. military forces during the beginning of the 1970s. It replaced the M79 grenade launcher as well as the conceptually comparable Colt XM148 design. But, while M79 was a stand-alone weapon, M79 was a stand-alone weapon (and often the primary weapon used by troops with it) The M203 was designed to function as an under-barrel accessory to an existing rifle. Because the size and weight of the 40 mm round limit the amount of ammunition that can be carried on patrol, and also because a grenade usually not the best weapon for any given situation (i.e. in situations where the targets are at close range or is near friendly troops) A system that is under-barrel can be advantageous in that it allows the user the ability to also be carrying a gun and also to quickly switch between the two.
A new grenade launcher, called the M320 will in the future replace M203 within the United States Army. It is expected to replace the United States Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Navy still use the older M203, although the Marines have begun to issue the M320 in June 2017. The M320 comes with a sophisticated night and day sight, double-action firing mechanism (as as opposed to M203's single-action) and other advantages, such as an unobstructed side-loading breech.
The M203 launcher for grenades was designed to serve as close-fire protection against point and area targets. The round is intended to be effective in breaking through windows before exploding within openings, causing doors to explode with multiple casualties destruction of bunkers or emplacements as well as destroying or destroying soft-skinned vehicles. In the Vietnam war, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard personnel on boats would throw grenades of 40 millimeters to the surface (using the M79 launcher for grenades) in order to deter Viet Cong swimmers ("sappers") attempting to plant explosives on moored or anchored U.S. water craft.
Its main function is to fight enemies within a dead space that cannot be accessed by direct fire. A well-trained M203 gunner may use their weapon to disarm the enemy based on movements and sights. In addition, the M203 can be used as an instrument to control crowds in conjunction by the M651 military the CS (tear gas) weapon. While it is primarily classified as an anti-personnel gun, the shaped charge featured within the HEDP round allows it to have the ability to break through lightly armored vehicles.
The M203 can fire a variety of different rounds to serve a variety. As per the U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-22.31 40-MM Grenade Launcher M203 There are eight types of rounds available for the M203.
(M433) high-explosive dual purpose round. The HEDP round features an olive drab aluminum skirt , a steel cup attached to it, white markings, and an ogive of gold (head of the round). It can penetrate at least 5 centimeters (2 inches) when it is fired straight towards steel armor at 150 meters or less and, if fired from an arbitrary point and is fired from 14 to 27 meters. It results in casualties within a 130-meter radius and has an effective kill radius of 5 meters.
(M406) high-explosive round. The HE round features an olive drab aluminum skirt with a stainless steel projectile attached, gold markings and a yellow ogive. It can fire between 14 and 27 meters. It it produces a ground explosion that causes casualties within a 130-meter radius and has an effective kill radius of 5 meters.
(M583A1) star parachute round. The round is white, impact (or bar-alloy aluminum) with black marks. It's designed for illumination and signals . It's smaller and more precise than similar signal round handhelds. The parachute that is attached to the round opens upon ejection to lower the candle by 7 feet every second. The candle will burn for about 40 seconds. A raised letter on the top of the round signifies the color of parachute.
(M585) white star cluster round. This round is white impact of aluminum bar featuring black marks. The attached plastic ogive features five dots that are raised for night identification. This round is utilized to illuminate signals or for illumination. It is smaller and more precise than other signal rounds that are handheld. The individual stars burn for 7 seconds in free fall.
(M713) ground marker round. This round is a light green impact aluminum, with black markings. It is used to identify aerial locations as well as to mark the position of soldiers in the ground. It fires between 15 to 45 meters. If a fuse does not perform on impact, then the output mixture that is located in the front end of the delayed casing reverses the impact feature. A color change in the ogive indicates the color of the smoke.
(M781) Practice round. For practice, this round is made of blue zinc or aluminum, with white markings. It gives an orange or yellow mark on impact. Arms range from 14-27 meters and has a danger zone to 20 meters.
(M651) CS round. The round is made of gray aluminum with a green casing, and black markings. Though it is a multipurpose round, it's most efficient in controlling riots as well as within Urban Operations. It arms between 10 and 30 meters and produces an white cloud of CS gas when it hits.
(M576) rounds of buckshot. This round is olive drab with black marks. Although it's a multi-purpose round, it's more efficient in dense vegetation as well as for clearing rooms. Inside, there are 20 pellets of metal with a weight of 24 grams, and a muzzle velocity that is 269 meters in a second. It does not have a mechanical fuse.
The M203 grenade launcher is equipped with various components, usually including the launcher, adaptors to allow mounting to rifles for assault as well as leaf sightings (which are compatible with the rifle's front sight post). M203s could also include quadrant sights that attach on an MIL-STD 1913 Rail, or to the handle that is used to carry an M16 rifle.
There are many variations of the M203 produced in the U.S., and throughout the globe, for a variety of applications. They differ in particular the barrel's length, attachment type, as well as rapid detach (QD) capability.
The standard M203 is designed to be a permanent fixation for the M16A1, M16A2 and M16A3 rifles. It has the 12-inch rifled barrel. The M203 unmodified to an A1/A2 model will not work on the M4 carbine series.
The U.S. M203A1 has a barrel measuring 12 inches in length, however the SOPMOD M203A1 has a barrel of 9 inches. The M203A1 is designed for use alongside the M4 or M4A1 carbines, and uses the bracket mount that is made up of three screws, and a lacing wire. Only M203A2s consist of the quick release bracket.
The Canadian M203A1 by Diemaco (now Colt Canada) is a similar design with a different mount system that does not need mounting points that have identical profile to those of the M16A1 rifle's. The rifle's barrel is 9 inches further forward than American models, allowing larger rounds to load. The weapon is distinguished by the increased distance between the barrel axis of the grenade launcher with the rifle's. The weapon might no longer exist, but is still in use.
The M203A2 is intended to be used in conjunction with the M4 series/M16A4 and now also permitted on the M16A2 rifle, which is the modular weapon system (MWS). Utilizing standard 12-inch barrels the grenade launcher was designed for use in concert together with Knight's Armament Company M5 RAS. The M5 MWS rails were legally approved in December of 2008 for using the M16A2 Rifle. One benefit of this rail system is the inclusion of range-finding optics to make the process of aiming precise.
The M203PI is used for attachment of M203 M203 onto other types of rifles, such as, but not limited to the Steyr AUG and Heckler & Koch G3, and even the MP5 sub-machine gun. Most of these other companies have since devised 40 mm grenade launchers custom integrated with the weapon.
The M203 DAX comes with a double-action trigger as well as a longer opening that can accommodate rounds with less lethal force.
M203 and the M203 and M203A1 are currently manufactured by AIRTRONIC USA, Inc. of Elk Grove Village, Illinois for the U.S. Department of Defense under contract numbers W52H09-04-D-0225 and W52H09-06 -D-0225. Each contract is for approximately 12,000 units. Each unit comes equipped with a handguard, leaf sight and quadrant range sight. The prices for units vary between $840 and $1,050 per unit. The production rate is 1,500 monthly units. The M203PI is designed to serve both the U.S. Department of Defense and for the commercial sale to police agencies throughout the United States and abroad, as well as for sales to military overseas through RM-Equipment Inc. of Miami, Florida.
The Turkish MKEK created T-40 grenade launcher is based upon the M203.
The M203 37mm version was made available on the U.S. market in 2017. It is available in a 9-inch as well as a 12-inch barrel variant. The barrels are marked with the scroll words: "Launcher, Grenade M203 40mm" however they're actually 37mm devices. These versions of 37 mm are regarded as a "title 1 firearm" however they are not considered "destructive devices" under the NFA. They can be sold exactly like regular firearms using An ATF form 4473.
Colt's experience in the military is clearly displayed in Colt's military experience is evident in the M203 Grenade Launcher. The single shot, breech loaded 40mm weapon, available as 9" and 12" lengths of the barrel, is specifically designed to attach to M4 Carbine, M4 Carbine, M16A2, and M16A4 Service Rifles. By creating a versatile combination weapon system, the M203 can be used to provide the capability of firing simultaneously with 5.56X45MM NATO rifle ammunition as in addition to the entire range of high-explosive 40mm and special purpose ammunition. Though attached to the M4/M16 Family of weapon systems The M203 Grenade Launcher may be used as an independent weapon thanks to its self-cocking fire mechanism with a trigger, latch, and safety lever with a positive lock in the receiver. An indispensable tool for any modern army the M203 offers Colt M4 Carbines and Colt M16 Rifles equipped with the ability to breach, defilade or area ability to engage.
It is part of the M203 40mm Grenade Launcher is used when connected to an M16A2 5.56mm rifle. It is a lightweight, compact, pump action, breech loading one shot launcher. It is made up of the hand guard and the sight assembly, which has an adjustable foldable metal small-range blade-sight assembly, together with the aluminum receiver assembly that includes the barrel lock, stopper on the barrel, along with the fire mechanism. The launcher can be used for firing a variety of low-speed 40mm ammunition.
The launcher also comes with a quadrant-sight which can be connected to the carrying handle of the M16A2 and used when accuracy is required to reach the maximum effective range of the weapon.
If you've ever played Black Hawk Down, Call of Duty, or Battlefield it's likely that you've played with the M203 grenade launcher. Exploring with a grenade launcher during an online game can be one heck of a moment, but there's a reason the military is slowly phasing it out.
In the year 2008, the M320 was created by Heckler & Koch to create an all-new grenade launcher designed to provide the design and functionality gap that the M203 had left. This isn't to say that it wasn't an effective attachment. It's just that technology is improving constantly, and we need to get along with the technological advancements to equip our troops with the best possible equipment they can lay access to.
Yes, I realize it's true that the headline of this piece is very negative but that doesn't suggest that the M203 shouldn't get a pat on the back. We all know that the M203 is in service since 1969. It was a weapon that provided the military with the necessary firepower to blast the enemy to 400 meters.
It served in the United States Army for decades with very little refinement or improvement. The M203 was a replacement for the superior M79 grenade launcher during the Vietnam War. It was easily attached with M16s and M4s and also the C7 and was able to control crowds whenever needed in close-range circumstances dispensing tear gas and smoke. Furthermore, it could also breakthrough the light barrier of doors, windows and even vehicles that weren't armored, although the weapon wasn't really used for anti-vehicle purposes. Its A2 variant also included a quick-release mechanism to allow for greater mobility and access.
Why Was It Terrible?
In the beginning, the M203 was renowned for its wild-guess accuracy due to its limitations in the sights. The sights had to be connected manually, which required calibrating it all over again once it was attached. It could, indeed, be linked to the guns mentioned previously, such as the M16 and its carbine variant that was it was the M4 which was definitely a plus. It certainly was a valuable accessory for mobility but it could defeat the entire purpose if it didn't hit targets accurately. The M320 is, on the contrary it's side, has an electronic system leaf sight which does not require any further calibration.
Second, some soldiers have reported that the M203 was prone to falling off their rifle after being fired, which is extremely dangerous when you must immediately load it. The M203 is certainly usable as a stand-alone weapon at close range, but there are reports that suggest it simply lacks the accuracy that is required for it to be effective even at close distances. This resulted in the military returning the M79 in the midst of being over its best.
Third, the M203 comes with a reloading pump-slide system that heavily restricts ammunition types. Soldiers are not able to use longer ammunition because it would not work with the M203. The grip on the M203 is also available as another attachment. However, soldiers also complained about it being very difficult to set up without impinging on the grenade launcher's reloading. The M320 has a foldable foregrip which attempts to fix this problem.
Afraid of guns, new recruits swoon at the prospect of shooting rounds into the air using the latest and best weapons. Unfortunately, that carpet will be pulled out from beneath newcomers once they realize that "military-grade" simply means "broken constantly without a penny to repair it."
The famous M203 Grenade Launcher isn't an exception. It's definitely a helpful tool for combat, since it's capable of firing the 40mm grenade, and then reap the entire collection of limbs and souls. But in the real world, they're massive pieces of sh*t.
There are foregrips designed especially for M203 but they're not all that great. The main problem with this is that it isn't possible to include an attractive, angled fore grip, or any other variation. If you decide to go with the M203 grip, you need to position it in a spot which doesn't hinder the process of reloading.
It's true that the M203 isn't a huge weight by itself, but as every soldier will inform to you "ounces mean pounds. Kilograms are the equivalent of pain."
Furthermore, if you want to shoot from a stand position, you'll have to lift the front end of your rifle that's been restrained. This might sound like a nitpick but after a few days of no food, water, and rest you'll feel it.
Perhaps the most annoying thing about owning an M203 is that they're ineffective almost all of the times. Most will just fall of the weapon after firing a single shot. This is very dangerous as well to grab it and put it back on. That means you'll have to fire it manually and that's not a bad thing in itself but it also means that you don't have the sights on the rifle for the aiming.
In light of these concerns You'll probably not be able to use it frequently enough to make it useful. You'll most likely end up being unhappy with the device and it'll feel like dead weight.
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