Table of Contents
What MM is a 203?
The M203 is a single-shot 40mm under-barrel grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle.
What is a 320 weapon?
The M320 is a 40mm grenade launcher in use with U.S. regular and special operations forces. Designed to be used as an attachment to a rifle or carbine or as a stand alone weapon system, the M320 can fire a range of 40mm projectiles, including High Explosive, High Explosive Dual Purpose, smoke and illumination rounds.
Can You mount a grenade launcher on an M16 rifle?
The M79 had a short and stubby barrel, and perhaps there was some way to mount a grenade launcher under the new M16 rifle, specifically in front of the magazine well and parallel to the rifle barrel. A weapon that used existing M79 rounds and attached to the M16 would be ideal.
When did the US start using grenade launchers?
In May 1963, the U.S. military sought to field an under-the-barrel grenade launcher to complement the newly designed M16 assault rifle, War Is Boring notes. After a few missteps with the XM-148 — a finicky rifle attachment that was inaccurate, hard to clean, and prone to breaking — the military found the M203.
How do rifle grenades work?
A rifle grenade could be fired in a plunging arc overhead, and unlike other indirect fire weapons like mortars or artillery, they could go wherever a rifleman went — anywhere — as this 1914 edition of Popular Mechanics notes. Say what you will about the munition, the name is pretty accurate…Popular Mechanics screenshot via Google Books
How did the M203 grenade launcher work?
The grenade launcher was loaded by pushing the barrel forward and inserting a 40-millimeter grenade into the breech. Pulling the handguard back cocked the weapon, and it was now ready to fire. The M203 had a separate trigger that launched the grenade, and a AAI-designed sight that worked with the M16 front sight post to aim the weapon.