Mission Deter
and, if necessary, compel adversaries by enabling individuals and small
units to engage targets with accurate, lethal grenade fire.
Entered Army Service
early 1970s
Description and Specifications
The M203 grenade
launcher is a single-shot weapon designed for use with the M16 series
rifle and fires a 40mm grenade. The M203A1 grenade launcher is a
single-shot weapon designed for use with the M4 series carbine and also
fires a 40mm grenade. Both have a leaf sight and quadrant site. The M203
is also being used as the delivery system for a growing array of
less-than-lethal munitions.
Weight:
3 lbs
(empty); 3.6 lbs (loaded)
Overall
length:
15"
Barrel
length:
12"
Ammunition
type:
CN/CS/OC tear
gas rounds, smoke, non-lethal projectiles, signal and practice
rounds as well as standard 40mm rounds.
