M203
| Factions | Weapon | Icon | Classes | Ammo | Explosion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damage | Radius | |||||
 US |
 M203 |
 |
 Assault |
1 / 2 | 125 | 200 |
| Designation | Weapon Type | Fire Modes | Fire Rate | Bullet Spread ° | Range Modifier | Muzzle Velocity | Projectile weight | Weight | Reload Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M203 | Grenade Launcher | Single Shot | 50 RPM | 3° & 1° ADS | Unaffected | 60 m/s | 230 g (.5 lbs) | 7kg (15.43 lbs) | 2.266 Seconds |
| Full name | Caliber | Place of Origin | Date | Manufacturer | Barrel Length | Total Length | Weapon Script Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launcher, Grenade, 40mm, M203 | 40mm grenade | USA | 1969 | Colt Many others |
12 in (305 mm) | 15 in (380 mm) | weapon_m203 |
The M203 is a single-shot 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same 40×46mm low-velocity rounds as the older stand-alone M79 grenade launcher.
For the Grenade Launcher and the rifle goto M16A1 M203
HISTORY
The M203 emerged from the U.S. Army’s Special Purpose Individual Weapon (SPIW) effort, with the launcher component becoming the practical fielded outcome. Adopted into service in 1969, it was introduced more broadly during the early 1970s as a replacement for the stand-alone M79 and the conceptually similar Colt XM148. Unlike the M79, which was typically carried as a grenadier’s primary weapon, the M203 was designed from the start as an underbarrel system so the grenadier could keep a standard rifle for routine engagements.
The underbarrel concept addressed the realities of 40 mm ammunition and tactical use: grenades are bulky and usually carried in limited quantity, and they are not always appropriate at close range or near friendly troops. Mounting the launcher to a rifle allowed faster transitions between rifle fire and explosive projectiles, giving infantry squads flexible indirect-fire capability without dedicating a separate weapon system and user for every situation.
Sources
- M203 40mm Grenade Launcher | U.S. Army (Fort Benning / Infantry)
- M203 40mm Grenade Launcher | Federation of American Scientists (Military Analysis Network)
- M203 Grenade Launcher | GlobalSecurity.org
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Loading an M203 mounted to an M16-pattern rifle. -
Side profile of weapon ingame
