#M203 grenade launcher how to#
#M203 grenade launcher full size#

It was most popular during the Vietnam War because of its greater range and accuracy compared to physically throwing a grenade. After firing, soldiers and marines had to break it down and load a new grenade to shoot again.

#M203 grenade launcher full size#

As a result the grenadier has a full size assault rifle as secondary weapon instead of relying on a pistol. The M203 is the first successful under barrel grenade launcher and was designed to fit onto the M16A1. It was designed in the late 1960's to replace the M79 in US service. The AirTronic USA M203 system, is a breech-loaded 40mm grenade launcher fully compatible with M16 and M4A1/2/3 variant. The M79 grenade launcher resembled a single-shot short-barrel shotgun that fired a 40mm grenade. The M203 is a grenade launcher of US origin. The M203 mounts on the M16A1 just in front of the magazine. The weapon is cocked and ready to fire when the barrel slides back in position. In order to load the M203 the barrel is moved forward and the round is inserted. The idea of a grenade launcher was a concept adopted during the jungle fighting of Vietnam. The M203 is a breech loaded grenade launcher that uses the same ammunition as the M79 it was intended to replace.

Here is a quick primer on this fascinating weapon of was that has served the US military well throughout the years. This is like having an extra shotgun on your weapon that could lob grenades in an accurate manner. Here’s the Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) M203 37mm launcher installed on the Brownells BRN-601 AR-15 rifle.

#M203 grenade launcher how to#

It gives grenadiers more power in infantry squads to destroy and suppress the enemy without having to physically throw a grenade. Tom schools us on how to install an M203 Grenade Launcher on your AR15 or M16 rifle. Have you ever noticed the tube that is sometimes mounted underneath M16s and M4s? For those who might not be aware, that’s an M203 grenade launcher, and it’s a really big deal for many reasons.