| Launcher, Grenade, 40mm, M203 | |
| Origin: | United States |
| Type: | Grenade launcher |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Service: | 1969–present |
| Used By: | See Users |
| Wars: | Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War Civil conflict in the Philippines Sino-Vietnamese War Cambodian–Vietnamese War Sino-Vietnamese conflicts, 1979–1991 Third Indochina War Soviet–Afghan War Falklands War[1] Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War War in Iraq (2013–2017) Syrian Civil War 2023 Israel-Hamas war |
| Designer: | AAI |
| Design Date: | 1967–68 |
| Manufacturer: | Colt Defense Diemaco Airtronic USA RM Equipment U.S. Ordnance Knight's Armament Company Lewis Machine & Tool Company |
| Unit Cost: | US$1,082[2] |
| Production Date: | 1969–present |
| Variants: | See Variants |
| Weight: | 3 lb (1.36 kg) (unloaded) |
| Length: | M203/M203A2: 15 in (380 mm); M203A1: 12 in (305mm); |
| Part Length: | M203/M203A2: 12 in (305 mm); M203A1: 9 in (230mm); |
| Cartridge: | 40×46mm SR |
| Action: | Single shot |
| Rate: | 5 to 7 round/min aimed shots 15 to 17 round/min area suppression |
| Velocity: | 250 ft/s (76 m/s) |
| Range: | 382 yds (350 m) fire-team sized area target; 164 yds (150 m) vehicle or weapon point target |
| Max Range: | 437 yds (400 m) |
| Sights: | Quadrant sight or ladder sight on rifle |
The M203 is a single-shot 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. 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. While compatible with many weapons, the M203 was originally designed and produced by the United States military for the M16 rifle and its carbine variant, the M4. The launcher can also be mounted onto a C7, a Canadian version of the M16 rifle; this requires the prior removal of the bottom handguard.
Stand-alone variants of the M203 exist,[3] as do versions designed specifically for many other rifles. The device attaches under the barrel, the launcher trigger being in the rear of the launcher, just forward of the rifle magazine. The rifle magazine functions as a hand grip when firing the M203. A separate, right-handed only, sighting system is added to rifles fitted with the M203, as the rifle's standard sights are not matched to the launcher. The version fitted to the Canadian C7 has a sight attached to the side of the launcher, either on the left or right depending on the user's needs.
The M203 was the only part of the United States Army's Special Purpose Individual Weapon (SPIW) project to go into production. The M203 has been in service since 1969[4] and was introduced to US 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 an existing rifle. Because the size and weight of 40 mm ammunition limits the quantities that can be carried, and because a grenade is often not an appropriate weapon for all engagements (such as when the target is at close range or near friendly troops), an under-barrel system has the advantage of allowing its user to also carry a rifle, and to easily switch between the two.
A new grenade launcher, the M320, will eventually replace the M203 in the United States Army. The United States Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Navy continued to use the older M203,[5] although the Marines began issuing the M320 in June 2017.[6] The M320 features an advanced day/night sight, a double-action firing mechanism (as opposed to the M203's single-action) as well as other benefits, such as an unobstructed side-loading breech.[7]
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), to preemptively attack Viet Cong swimmers ("sappers") attempting to plant explosives on anchored or moored U.S. watercraft.
Its primary purpose is to engage enemies in dead space that cannot be reached by direct fire. A well-trained M203 gunner can use their weapon to suppress the enemy, based on movement and sight. In addition, the M203 can be used as a crowd control weapon when equipped with the M651 tactical CS (tear gas) grenade. While classified primarily as an anti-personnel weapon, the shaped charge featured in the HEDP round gives it the capability to penetrate lightly armored vehicles.
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:
The M203 grenade launcher system comes with a variety of components, usually including the launcher, adapters 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.
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 12inches rifled barrel. The M203 unmodified to an A1/A2 series will not fit on the M4 carbine series.
The U.S. M203A1 has a barrel of 12 inches, while the SOPMOD M203A1 has a 9inches barrel. The M203A1 is intended for use with the M4 and M4A1 carbines, and uses a special bracket mount consisting of three screws and lacing wire. Only M203A2s consist of a quick release bracket.
The Canadian M203A1 by Diemaco (now Colt Canada) is a similar design with a different mounting system that does not require mounting points of the same profile as the M16A1 rifle's.[9] The weapon's 9inches barrel slides further forward than the standard American models, which allows longer rounds to be loaded. This model is identifiable by the increased distance between the grenade launcher's barrel axis and the rifle's. This weapon may no longer be in production, but is still in use.
The M203A2 is intended for use with the M4 series/M16A4 and now also authorized on the M16A2 rifle as the modular weapon system (MWS). Using standard 12inches barrels, the grenade launcher is intended for use in concert with the Knight's Armament Company M5 RAS. The M5 MWS rail system became authorized in December 2008 for the M16A2 Rifle. An advantage of this system is the use of range-finding optics to make precise targeting easier.
The M203PI system is used for attachment of the M203 to other rifles, including, but not limited to, the Steyr AUG, Heckler & Koch G3, and 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 has a double-action trigger and longer breech opening to accommodate less-lethal rounds.
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 W52H09-06-D-0200 and W52H09-06-D-0225. Each contract is for up to 12,000 units. Each unit is shipped with hand guard, leaf sight and quadrant range sight. The contracts unit prices vary from $840 to $1,050 each. The production rate is 1,500 units per month. The M203PI is manufactured for both the U.S. Department of Defense and for commercial sales to law enforcement agencies both in the United States and abroad, and for foreign military sales by RM-Equipment Inc. of Miami, Florida.
The Turkish MKEK made T-40 grenade launcher is based on the M203.[10]
The M203 37 mm version became available on the U.S. market in 2017. It is available in a 9inches and a 12inches barrel version. They are scroll marked: "Launcher, Grenade M203 40mm", even though they are actually 37 mm devices. These 37 mm versions are considered a "title 1 firearm", and are not classified as "destructive devices" under the NFA. These launchers can be sold the same as regular firearms on an ATF Form 4473.[11]
Afghanistan[12]
Albania
Argentina
Australia: M203PI variant for F88 Austeyr,[13] and M203A1 for M4A1 carbines.
Austria: M203PI variant.[13]
Bangladesh
Brazil[13]
Cameroon[13]
Canada: Canadian Forces: M203A1 variant produced by Colt Canada (formerly Diemaco prior to 2005).[15] [16]
Chile[13]
Czech Republic: Bushmaster M203 used with the Bushmaster M4A3 carbine issued to Czech special forces.[18]
Denmark[19]
Dominican Republic
Egypt[20]
El Salvador[13]
Estonia[21]
France[22]
Gabon[13]
Greece[13]
Guatemala[13]
Honduras[13]
India[13]
Indonesia: Locally produced by PT Pindad as SPG-1.[13]
Iraq
Ireland: Irish Army specialist units, including the Army Ranger Wing (ARW).[13] [23]
Israel[13]
Italy[13]
Japan: Used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.[24]
Jordan[13]
Kuwait[13]
Lebanon[13]
Liberia[13]
Malaysia[13]
Mexico[13]
Myanmar[13]
New Zealand: M203PI variant.[13]
Oman[13]
Pakistan: Used by the Pakistan Army.[26]
Panama[13]
Papua New Guinea[27] 
Philippines[13] Formerly manufactured by Floro International Corporation as the FIC M203.[29] [30]
Poland: Used by the Polish Special Forces.
Qatar[13]
Romania[25]
Saudi Arabia[25]
Sierra Leone[31]
Singapore[13]
Sri Lanka[13]
Sweden: Designated as Granattillsats 40 mm Ak in the Swedish Armed Forces.[13]
Thailand[13]
Turkey[13]
United Arab Emirates[13]
United Kingdom: Special Air Service.[32]
United States[13]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 (NFA) part 26 U.S.C. 5845, 27 CFR 479.11,[34] 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 transfer tax, and new manufacture 40 mm training ammunition is available for $5 to $10 per cartridge, as of March 2011. High explosive 40 mm grenades are available for $400 to $500 per cartridge; however, they are exceedingly rare on the civilian market, as each grenade constitutes a destructive device on its own, and must be registered with the federal government, requiring payment of a $200 tax and compliance with storage regulations for high explosives. There are also sub-caliber adapters available for the 40 mm M203 (and M79) grenade launchers, which will allow the use of standard 12-gauge shotgun shells[35] and .22 rimfire ammo.[36]
In 2017, a 37 mm civilian version became available on the market that is not considered an NFA weapon. As the 37 mm version is not classified as a "destructive device", it can be sold to the general public on the same ATF Form 4473 as most other firearms. The 37 mm launcher can use 37 mm flare rounds already available on the market. This civilian version sells for around $2,000 and accessories such as quick detach mounts and a quadrant sight are also available.[11]
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.
Note: some data differs for versions that attach to the M4 carbine.
The 40 mm grenades used in the M203 (40 × 46 mm) are not the same as those used by the Mk 19 grenade launcher (40 × 53 mm), which are fired at higher velocities)
Other under-barrel grenade launchers
Related
Ecuador