page_title: M203 grenade launcher
section_title: Variants
hierarchical_section_title: M203 grenade launcher / Variants
caption_attribution_description: M4 Carbine with M203 Grenade Launcher Primary function: Anti-personnel, light materiel targets and less-than-lethal. Length: Buttstock closed 29.75 in.; buttstock opened 33.0 in.; M203 — 15.3 in. with 12 in. barrel. Weight: 7.5 lbs. with 30-round magazine; M203 — 3 lbs. Caliber: 5.56 mm NATO.; M203 — 40 mm. Maximum effective range: Individual/ point target: 500 meters, area target: 600 meters; M203 — individual/point target: 150 meters; area target: 350 meters (50 percent casualty rate of exposed person- nel within a 5-meter radius). Cyclic rate of fire: 700-970 rounds per minute; M203 — 5-7 rounds per minute.
context_page_description: 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. Quite versatile and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was originally designed for the U.S. M16 and its variant, the M4 carbine. The launcher can also be mounted onto a C7, a Canadian version of the M16 rifle; however, this requires the prior removal of the bottom handguard.
  Stand-alone variants of the M203 exist, 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 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.
context_section_description: 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 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 9-inch barrel. The M203A1 is intended for use with the M4 and M4A1 Carbine, and uses a special bracket mount consisting of three screws and lacing wire. Only M203A2's 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. The weapon's 9-inch 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 MWS (Modular Weapon System). Using standard 12-inch 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 other rifles, and even the MP5 sub-machine gun. Most of these other companies have since devised 40mm 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.
  The M203 37mm version became available on the U.S. market in 2017.  It is available in a 9-inch and a 12-inch barrel version.  They are scroll marked: "Launcher, Grenade M203 40mm", even though they are actually 37mm devices.  These 37mm 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.
caption: M4A1 with an M203A2
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