The M203 is a single shot weapon that fires 40x46mm low velocity grenades. Besides the standard high explosive fragmentation rounds there is a wide selection of other rounds available. Due to the distance that the barrel slides forward upon reloading not all types of grenades can be loaded due to their length.
Full Answer
What type of ammo does the M203 use?
Types, Characteristics and Capabilities of Ammunition used with the M203 Grenade Launcher. High-Explosive Dual Purpose Round. The HEDP round and a gold ogive (head of the round). It penetrates at least 5 cm (2 inches)
How many rounds are in an M203 grenade launcher?
According to the U.S. ARMY FIELD MANUAL FM 3-22.31 40-MM GRENADE LAUNCHER, M203, there are 8 different rounds for the M203: An M16A2 rifle equipped with an M203 grenade launcher lies in the grass near some of the types of 40mm ammunition available for use with the M203.
Does the M203 use the same rounds as the M79?
It uses the same rounds as the older stand-alone M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilizes the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Quite versatile and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was originally designed for the U.S. M16 and its carbine variant, the M4.
Can civilians own the M203 37mm launcher?
Brownells has teamed with LMT Defense to offer the M203 37mm Launcher. It’s a replica of the iconic M203 40mm grenade launcher first introduced in 1969, which is still used by militaries around the world to this day. This M203 37mm launcher fire flare, smoke, or rubber ball rounds, meaning civilians can own it with no FFL required.
What ammo does an M203 use?
40-mm roundsThe M203 grenade launcher uses several fixed-type, low-velocity 40-mm rounds. The M203 fires high-explosive, illuminating, signaling, CS, and training ammunition. All M203 grenade launcher rounds are fixed rounds.
How much does a 40mm rounds cost?
Much like the HV TP-DNT design, the new round will meet the user's requirement for training effectiveness during day, at night, and through the use of night vision goggles and thermal sights. The tactical rounds cost $50 or $60, compared to the current day training rounds, which will cost around $7.
What is a 40mm HE round?
40 mm grenade (alternative spelling: 40mm grenade) is a common design for grenade launcher ammunition. It consists of a low-velocity shell (a grenade) with a caliber of 40 mm (1.57 in).
Can I legally own an M203 grenade launcher?
It's a replica of the iconic M203 40mm grenade launcher first introduced in 1969, which is still used by militaries around the world to this day. This M203 37mm launcher fire flare, smoke, or rubber ball rounds, meaning civilians can own it with no FFL required.
How much is a M203 round?
M203 grenade launcherLauncher, Grenade, 40mm, M203Unit costUS$1,082Produced1969–presentVariantsSee VariantsSpecifications22 more rows
Do soldiers carry grenades?
Grenades are one of the most identifiable weapons that US troops carry.
Can 40mm grenade penetrate armor?
The grenade can be set to explode on impact. It can penetrate the steel plate of lightly armored vehicles.
How far can a M203 shoot?
With a maximum effective range of about 350 meters, the M203 is a rifle-mounted, grenade launcher that allows the Marine to load one round at a time.
What is the blast radius of a pineapple grenade?
The effective casualty-producing radius is 15 meters. ALTHOUGH THE KILLING RADIUS IS 5 METERS AND THE CASUALTY PRODUCING RADIUS OF THIS GRENADE IS 15 METERS, FRAGMENTS CAN DISPERSE AS FAR AWAY AS 230 METERS. (7) Color/markings -- olive drab body with a single yellow band at the top.
Can civilians Buy 40mm?
Standard-issue 40mm launchers are classified as “non-sporting” firearms and “destructive devices” by the National Firearms Act, sold solely to military and law enforcement agencies around the world.
Is the M203 still used?
Though it has served faithfully and effectively for over 40 years now and will continue to do so for years to come, the M203 is being phased out of Army service and is being replaced by the new M320 designed and built by Heckler Koch.
What replaced the M203?
M320 Grenade Launcher ModuleM320 Grenade Launcher Module (GLM) is the U.S. military's designation for a new single-shot 40 mm grenade launcher system to replace the M203 for the U.S. Army, while other services initially kept using the older M203. The M320 uses the same High-Low Propulsion System as the M203.
History
The M203 was the only part of the army's Special Purpose Individual Weapon (SPIW) project to go into production. The M203 has been in service since 1969 and was introduced to U.S. military forces during the early 1970s, replacing the older M79 grenade launcher and the conceptually similar Colt XM148 design.
Uses
The M203 grenade launcher is intended to be used as close fire support against point and area targets. The round is designed to be effective at breaking through windows and exploding inside, blowing up doors, producing multiple casualties, destroying bunkers or emplacements, and damaging or disabling soft-skinned vehicles. In the Vietnam war U.S.
Rounds
An M16A2 rifle equipped with an M203 grenade launcher lies in the grass near some of the types of 40 mm ammunition available for use with the M203. The cartidges are, from left to right, multiple projectile, practice, green star flare, white star flare, red star flare and high explosive.
Components
The M203 Grenade launcher system comes with a variety of components, usually including the launcher, adaptors for attachment to assault rifles, and leaf sights (which can be used with the rifle's front sight post). M203s can also come with quadrant sights, mounting to a MIL-STD 1913 Rail, or to the carrying handle of an M16 rifle.
Variants
There are numerous variants of the M203 manufactured in the U.S., and throughout the world, for various applications. These vary chiefly in the length of the barrel, attachment type, and quick detach (QD) capability.
Users
An Australian F88 Austeyr rifle with a short barreled M203 grenade launcher.
Civilian ownership in the United States
In the United States, M203 grenade launcher attachments fitted with the standard rifled 40mm barrel are classified as "Destructive Devices" under the National Firearms Act part 26 U.S.C. 5845, 27 CFR 479.11, because they are a "non-sporting" firearm with a bore greater than one-half inch in diameter.
It adds weight to your rifle
Granted, the M203 doesn’t weigh so much on its own, but as every infantryman will tell you, “ounces equal pounds, pounds equal pain.”
They fall off
Easily the worst part of having an M203 is that they’re not usable 100% of the time. Most will just fall of the rifle after firing a single shot, which is both dangerous and annoying. If you’re in a situation where you have to use that bad boy, you don’t have time to pick it up and put it back on.
Overview
Rounds
The M203 is able to fire a variety of different rounds for many purposes. According to the U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-22.31 40-MM Grenade Launcher, M203, there are eight different rounds for the M203:
• (M433) high-explosive dual purpose round. The HEDP round has an olive drab aluminum skirt with a steel cup attached, white markings, and a gold ogive (hea…
History
The M203 was the only part of the army's Special Purpose Individual Weapon (SPIW) project to go into production. The M203 has been in service since 1969 and was introduced to U.S. military forces during the early 1970s, replacing the M79 grenade launcher and the conceptually similar Colt XM148 design. However, while the M79 was a stand-alone weapon (and usually the primary weapon of troops who carried it), the M203 was designed as an under-barrel device attached to …
Uses
The M203 grenade launcher is intended to be used as close fire support against point and area targets. The round is designed to be effective at breaking through windows and exploding inside, blowing up doors, producing multiple casualties, destroying bunkers or emplacements, and damaging or disabling soft-skinned vehicles. In the Vietnam war, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard personnel on boats would lob 40 mm grenades into the water (using the M79 grenade launcher)…
Components
The M203 grenade launcher system comes with a variety of components, usually including the launcher, adaptors for attachment to assault rifles, and leaf sights (which can be used with the rifle's front sight post). M203s can also come with quadrant sights, mounting to an MIL-STD 1913 Rail, or to the carrying handle of an M16 rifle.
Variants
There are numerous variants of the M203 manufactured in the U.S., and throughout the world, for various applications. These vary chiefly in the length of the barrel, attachment type, and quick detach (QD) capability.
The standard M203 is intended for permanent attachment to the M16A1, M16A2 and M16A3 rifles, and utilizes a 12-inch rifled barrel. The M203 unmodified to a…
Civilian ownership in the United States
In the United States, M203 grenade launcher attachments fitted with the standard rifled 40 mm barrels are classified as "destructive devices" under the National Firearms Act part 26 U.S.C. 5845, 27 CFR 479.11, because they are a "non-sporting" firearm with a bore greater than one-half inch in diameter. M203s are on the civilian NFA market but are limited as most manufacturers have quit selling to the civilian markets. New M203 launchers sell for approximately $2,000 plus a $200 tr…
Data
The following technical data for the M203/M203A1 grenade launcher comes directly from the U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-22.31 40-MM Grenade Launcher, M203.
• Weapon.
• Ammunition.