M203
M203A1 | M203A2
Overview
M203
Close-up of a 40x46mm practice grenade being loaded into a M203 under barrel grenade launcher.
Source: US Air Force -
© Public domain
United States - Airtronic
United States - KAC
United States - Lewis Machine & Tool
Canada - Diemaco / Colt Canada
Egypt - Maadi
Philippines - Floro International
Description
Introduction
The M203 is a grenade launcher of US origin. It was designed in the late 1960's to replace the M79 in US service. The M203 is the first successful under barrel grenade launcher and was designed to fit onto the M16A1. As a result the grenadier has a full size assault rifle as secondary weapon instead of relying on a pistol.
Design
The M203 is a breech loaded grenade launcher that uses the same ammunition as the M79 it was intended to replace. In order to load the M203 the barrel is moved forward and the round is inserted. The weapon is cocked and ready to fire when the barrel slides back in position. The M203 mounts on the M16A1 just in front of the magazine. The magazine also acts as a sort of pistol grip since the single action trigger assembly is located behind the barrel. The launcher is attached to the rifle by means of a wider square forearm with various holes for cooling. The flip up mechanical sight is fitted on top of the forearm. Later variants of the M203 are quick detachable and will fit to more types of rifles.
Firepower
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. An experienced operator can fire 5 to 7 rounds per minute. The effective range against point targets is 150 m. Area targets can be engaged out to 400 m.
Users
The fist user of the M203 was the US military and it was used during the later stages of the Vietnam war and all subsequent conflicts. At first the M203 was only used by operators of the M16 series of assault rifles. Since the M203 became available in versions that will mount on other types of weapons its use expanded even further. The M203 is common in North and South America, Asia and Africa.
Variants
M203
The original version of the M203 was designed to fit onto the M16A1 assault rifle. It is also used with the improved M16A2 series. It is attached to the rifle by removing the original handguard and replacing it with a much larger square one to which the launcher is attached.
M203A1
The M203A1 is a variant of the original M203 for use on the M4 Carbine. As the M4 has a shorter handguard the original M203 will not fit. Mechanically the M203A1 is similar to the original M203, only the mount differs. The M203A1 replaces the lower part of the hand guard and will only fit on M4 carbines with a step cut barrel. The M203A1 is normally used with a shorter 9-inch barrel to better suit the length of the M4. The original 12-inch full length barrel is also available.
M203A2
Variant of the M203 with Picatinny mounting bracket. Most often using a 12-inch barrel. Can be used on both M4 type and M16A2 type rifles fitted with a Picatinny quad rail handguard, known in US service as the MWS (Modular Weapon System) upgrade. The leaf sight is mounted on the top Picatinny rail.
Details
Derivative models
M203PI
The M203PI is a derivative of the M203 developed as a private venture by R/M equipment in the late 1980's. The M203PI does not replace any handguard but uses a mounting bar. This comes in various models to suit foreign types of rifles such as the Steyr AUG. Early versions had the full length barrel, later versions the shorter barrel as used on the M203A1. It is also possible to mount a gripstock with pistol grip and shoulder stock for stand alone use.
K201
South Korean production model of the M203 produced by Deawoo. Features a forearm with venting holes similar to the original M203, but with different dimensions to suit the K2 assault rifle.
MKEK T-40
Turkish under barrel grenade launcher derived from the M203. Also has some design influences from the German HK 79.
Media
M16A1 with M203
US Marine with M16A1 assault rifle fitted with M203 grenade launcher during an exercise in 1998. Note the distinct oversized vented handguard associated with the original M203.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain.
M16A2 with M203
US Marine taking aim with a M16A2 assault rifle with M203 under barrel grenade launcher in 2002.
Source: US Marine Corps
Copyright: Public domain
M203
Close-up of a flip-up ladder sight on a M203 grenade launcher
Source: www.ima-usa.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
M4 with M203A1
US Navy Seabee taking aim with M203A1 grenade launcher with 9-inch barrel attach to a M4-type assault rifle in Afghanistan in 2010.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
M79
The M203 was developed to replace the M79. Both weapons fire the same 40x46mm NATO low velocity grenades.
Colt M16A1
The original M203 was developed for use on the M16 and M16A1 assault rifles, introduced during the Vietnam war and used until present day.