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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - m203 (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 11/4/2005 12:31:30 PM EDT
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Why would you want such a huge piece of crap hanging out on the end of your AR/M16? Seems to me like a small, seperate, single shot launcher is a better idea. Maybe something like SOG supposedly did in nam, cut down, M79s or that launcher HK makes with the sliding stock. I keep seeing pics of troops with these massive AR's fitted with m203. Looks like some stupid landwarrior bookcase sized weapon. |
who pissed in your post toasties? i bet you have no idea what the fuck your even talking about. and what the fuck is a land warrior bookcase??? moron |
Well thank you for that intellectually stimulating response! That is exactly the kind of crap that I come on here to read. |
Don't tell me you actually fire that thing from your shoulder!? 
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Are you serious? That thing looks like it might as well have an AR mounted to it. Maybe if you got rid of the buttstock or installed a slider on it. |
As a civillian I wouldn't expect you to understand the need. On a side note, what the hell is going on w/ the excessive  posts today. They must be breeding 
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When I was in, I begged to be the guy in my squad with the 203. Sure, it is a little heavier, but when it needs killing and you break out the 203, it gets killed! Of course, only time I ever fired it was at the range, but I tell you what, when I was in, the M203 range was known as the funnest range to go to. Shooting that thing is just frickin cool! As for carrying a grenade launcher as a second weapon, that sucks. First, it gives you a second thing to carry and worry about and second, switching from one to the other is a pain in the ass when you have all your gear on you. |
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I ended up carrying a 203 for most of my three years in the Army. I didn't mind the extra weight a bit. The 203 is a fun piece of kit and you gan get pretty good with it with minimal training. I imagine you would get very good with it if you trained with it more than occasionally. BTW, the most accurate M16A1 I used in the Army had a M203 hanging off the pencil barrel. Go figure... |
No I have never carried the 203, as in, in the field or extended periods of time. But yes I have handled both the longer older version and the shorter m4 version. IMO, based on my experiances handling them, they make the rifle harder to wield. The low foward hold is um.. odd. Seems to me, they could easily make a small launcher that could be carried seperatly from the rifle, yet still be just as good as the 203 in effectiveness. |
Probably because it is quite functional, and yes, I carried one in the service. If you had time in, and worked with a squad seeing what it did, you would understand. However, I would suggest you hit a different board for additional info, or go to the general section as this is AR Discussions, are we are already WAY off topic. Don't get shocked if this gets locked. |
Joe, I remember the pumpkin rounds (we had orange chalk at basic) having quite a kick and the DIs warning us not to shoulder the M203 when firing them. Maybe they were'nt used to 12 gauges? Your toy looks like fun! |
Me too, and I've had a number of arguments about it. Maybe it was psychological, but I always used the 203 when qualifying rifle, even when I was no longer the 203 gunner. A lot of factors could have been in play (newer, tighter reciever, etc.), but I always dug the 203. Spashing blue powder off of wrecked German tanks is fun. |
| The best part of the 203 is versitlity. Not only does it shoot HEDP, but Paint/Smoke/Illumination rounds. On top of that we have CS and Riot control rounds for less than lethal force. Its alot beter to shoot an iraqi with bean bag or ruber cock, then kill him and have his 7 brothers planting IED's the next day. |
And now they're developing thermobaric ammo for it, too 
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A break open launcher (ala' m79) is more versitile when it comes to rounds available than a 203. Longer rounds will fit in it. |
This is the only worthy defense of the m203 over stand alone designs thats been posted yet. Thanks. |
What's the status of the XM320? I read we were buying some to replace M203s, in part because the XM320 opens to the side, permitting longer projectiles to be loaded. |
Wow.......you have some very strong opinions on the matter. As for me I'm going to take the opinions of the guys who actually carried one while serving over someone who's "handled" a few. It's great to have strong opinions but there it is also great to know when to just let it go. Are you just trying to get your post count up as fast as possible?  
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You know why? Because they didnt offer ANY explaination why its better, it just was. This person made a point. |
I cannot for the life of me remember such a kick. Maybe I was too busy with the whole "YEEEEHA! FUCKING GRENADE LAUNCHER!!" factor. But really, 203's cover dead space and blow shit up, without having to worry about losing another long arm. |
And apprently from what Ive read many SOG/LRRP units in nam still prefered a cut down version of the 79 over the XM148 (precursor to m203) |
Then do what the department of energy did. Get the HK 40mm launcher. It swings to the side instead of sliding forward, and long rounds fit in it. DOE shooters also qualify with them (whether they are issued one or not) on cars at 300m. Seems like a better way to fuck up a car full of nuke robbers than having to shoot them with 5.56mm. |
Um..OK..whatever your last sentence means. Even a civilian owner knows that this is one piece of gear that could come in real handy for those who actually go in harms way. BTW, LMT's new rail grabber version like mine opens 2" farther than the original to take advantage of the new rounds available, such as less than lethal. I'm just going to stick with the "pumpkin" rounds myselfhttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/conndcj/lmt20304.jpg |
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The original reason for the adoption of the M203 over a seperate, M79 design was it made a grenadier into a rifleman as well as being able to lob grenades at the enemy. M79 guys got a .45 as a defensive firearm. An M16 is a lot more effective than just using a 1911. I loved having an M203 in the years I was in. I was surgical with it and could drop a round into the hatch of an APC at 300 meters repeatedly. I didn't mind the few extra pounds. I would not want a second long arm to have to shuffle with. Sorry. I did mind the vest we wore with 24 rounds on it. If you ever got hit, they'd have to strain the dirt to recover you for burial. Or use a sponge.... |
I meant places willing to LEGALLY sell to civilians |
They kick hard, but not exactly like a shotgun. The kick from a M203 is slower than the kick from a shotgun. So, instead of a fast sharp smack into your shoulder, the M203 is still as hard, but slower. More of a hard push. |
Name the round that the M79 used that the M203 doesn't have a version of, and the military needs. HE, HEAT and cannister are all available, besides the smoke and illumination rds. I'm sure there are more, but it's been a few years since I've used a M203. Most troops will never have a need for anything besides good old HE, smoke and illum rds anyway. The illum rds are a tight fit, but ammo used to kill somebody fits easily. You are talking out your ass and have no idea just how versatile the M203 is. It's much more versatile to have a weapon capable of firing grenades and bullets than a weapon that can only shoot grenades. The M203 is actually very compact. It is smaller and weighs less than the M79. The M203 is very easy to learn to shoot and is actually quite intuitive to shoot using the mag as a grip. I never had any desire to carry just a grenade launcher and only have a pistol as a backup. It's much easier and quicker to move your hand back and shoot the rifle than it is to pull out your pistol. I was quite happy with the M203 and was glad I had a very capable weapons platform in my hands. |
No one has mentioned the multipurpose rounds known as fletchets and buckshot. Been trying to get some buckshot rounds for my M79 here in Iraq. Had a few last rotation but can't seem to get any this time. Have carried both M203 and M79 into combat and used effectively the 203 with HEDP on live targets. I like the 79 but prefer the M203. It is a pain in the ass to lug three seperate guns around. (rifle, GL and pistol). When out on convoy patrol I'm using manning the M2HB up top with my M4 or M14 on one side of turrent, M79 on other and pistol strap on.  CD |
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I've talked to a few marine scout/snipers who if they had their way, every M4/M16 would have a 203 hanging off of it. The one thing that the HK style launcher that I like is the pistol grip. You can detach the thing and use it stand alone. IIRC the Brits have bought the HK launcher for use on their SA80s. |
| Somebody needs to read their history and get a clue. M203s are around for a reason, M79s are gone for a reason. If you want to find out how heavy they are, join the Army and don't be a pussy. It won't be so heavy after carrying a 240 without a sling for a couple of days. |
I disagree, the M203 shell is specifically designed to reduce recoil by slowing the actual charges explosion. Having fired them, I don't recall them having a recoil like a shotgun, just a firm push. |
Yeah, I've fired one too (it's nice to have your own). I agree it's a slower recoil than a shotgun, but total momentum is the same. About one sixth the velocity of a 1oz. 12 gauge slug, and about 6 times the mass. It will give you a bruise after a few rounds if you don't hold it tight to your shoulder. Joe |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - m203 (Page 1 of 2)
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