M203 generally refers to the United States Army designation for a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher that attaches to the M16 assault rifle or the M4 Carbine. Stand-alone variants exist as do versions capable of being used on many other rifles. The device attaches under the barrel and forward of the magazine, the trigger for it being just forward of the magazine. The magazine functions as a handle of sorts when firing for the M203. A separate sighting system is added to rifles with the M203 as the rifle's regular sights are not matched to the launcher. The M203 can fire high-explosive, smoke, illuminating, buckshot direct fire, CS gas, and training grenades.
| Caliber | 40x46 mm grenade |
| Firearm action | Single-shot, Single action |
| Barrel length | 12 in (305 mm) |
| Overall length w/M16 | 39 in (990 mm) |
| Effective range | 160 yd (150 m) |
| Maximum range | 1,312 ft (400 m) |
| Rate of fire | 5 to 7 round/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 250 ft/s (76 m/s) |
| Weight, launcher (unloaded) | 3 lb (1.36 kg) |
| Weight, launcher (loaded) | 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) |
| Weight w/M16 (loaded) | 11 lb (5.0 kg) |
The M203 was introduced to US military forces during the early 1970's, and replaced the older M79 grenade launcher. However, while the M79 was a separate weapon entirely, the M203 was designed in order to increase the efficiency at which a soldier could alternate between bullet fire and HE grenade fire.
It is sometimes thought that the M203 was a poor replacement for the M79, as while the M79 was quick to reload and more or less accurate under adverse conditions, such as in Vietnam War, the M203 was more difficult to operate, and could be sent off-target more easily by variables such as a gust of wind.
A new grenade launcher in development, the XM320, will likely replace the 203 in United States service eventually. The XM320 weighs more than the M203, but has some added benefits.
The 40 mm grenades used in the M203 are not the same as in the Mk 19 grenade launcher, which are of higher power.
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). M203's can also come with quadrant sights, mounting to a MIL-STD 1913 Rail, or to the carry handle of an M16 rifle.
Variants
There are numerous variants of the M203 manufactured in the US, and throughout the world, for various applications. These vary chiefly in the length of the barrel, attachment type, and quick detach or QD capability.
The standard M203 is intended for permanent (armorer level) attachment to the M16A1, M16A2, M16A3 Rifle, and utilizes a 12" rifled barrel. These can also be attached to M4 and M4A1 Carbines, using a different front attachment point forward of the front sight block, but the SOPMOD kit uses M203A1 grenade launchers.
The M203A1 is intended for use with the M4 and M4A1 Carbine. The barrel is shortened to 9", and principally the M203A1 QD is able to quickly detach from the rifle, and be replaced by a Knight's Armament Company M4 RAS lower handguard. An advantage of using a 40 mm grenade launcher on an assault rifle equipped with MIL-STD 1913 Rails is the attachment of various range-finding optics.
The M203A2 is intended for use with the M16A4 MWS (Modular weapon system). Using standard 12" barrels, the grenade launcher is intended for use in concert with the Knight's Armament Company M5 RAS. Again, an advantage of this system is the attachment of range-finding optics makes precision targeting easier.
The M203 Pi system is used for attachment of the M203 to other rifles, including but not limited to the Steyr AUG, H&K G3A3, and other rifles. Most of these other companies have since devised 40 mm grenade launchers custom integrated with the weapon.
Civilian Ownership
M203 grenade launchers are classified as "Destructive Devices" under the National Firearms Act subject to the NFA process. M203s are not that common in the civilian NFA market because each explosive 40 mm grenade is also subject to the NFA process and its subsequent $200 tax. 37 mm flares are legal for civilian use without a NFA stamp, and 37 mm flare launchers have been built along near identical lines to the M203 launchers.
Data
- Launcher: 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms)
- Rifle (M16A2): 8.79 pounds (3.99 kg)
- Total (including 30 rounds): 11.79 pounds (5.35 kg)
- Bore diameter: 40 mm
- Maximum effective range:
- Area target: 1148 feet (350 meters)
- Point target: 492 feet (150 meters)
- Maximum range: 1312 feet (400 meters)
- Minimum safe range:
- Non-Direct Fire: 115 feet (35 meters)
- Training: 427 feet (130 meters)
- Combat: 102 feet (31 meters)
- Unit Replacement Cost: $601 USD (2005)
Note: some data differs for version that attaches to M4 Carbine
Pop Culture References
- The M203 mounted on an M16 is the weapon made infamous in Scarface when Tony Montana says, "Say Hello to My Little Friend."
- The M203 also makes an appearance in the video games Battlefield 2, Desert Combat, America's Army and Operation Flashpoint as a weapon choice, mounted on a M16A2.
- It also makes an appearance in the video game Delta Force: Black Hawk Down, mounted on the M16A2 and the CAR-15.
- Appearance in Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising, Joint Operations: Escalation, Joint Operations: International Conflict, and Joint Operations: Reality as a weapon choice mounted under the M16A2 and M4A1
- It also makes an appereance in both Predator movies, one on a M16 and one on an AR-15.