Weapons Familiarization

1
Weapons Familiarization

• M203
• Grenade Launcher
• Ref FM 23-31
• STP 21-1

2
Description and Maintenance

• Lightweight
• Single-shot
• Breech-loaded
• Pump action (sliding barrel)
• Shoulder-fired weapon
• Attached to M16A1/A2 rifle

3
Operation and Function

• Operations include
• Loading
• Unloading
• Firing the weapon
• Uses high-low propulsion system to fire a 40-mm
  round

4
Operation and Function cont

• Loading
• Press the barrel latch and slide barrel forward
• Place the weapon on SAFE
• Inserts clean, dry, ammunition into chamber
• Slides the barrel rearward until it locks with an
  audible click

5
Operation and Function cont

• Unloading
• Depress the barrel latch
• Slide the barrel forward
• Cartridge case or round should automatically
  eject
• If the case is stuck, taps it with a cleaning rod
  
• Place the weapon on SAFE
• Look into the barrel to ensure there is no round
  or cartridge case in the barrel
• Slice barrel rearward, locking it to the breech

6
Operation and Function cont

• Clearing procedures
• Push in the release button, and pull the barrel
  forward
• Watch to see if a round extracts
• Place the weapon on SAFE
• Inspect the breech to ensure a round is not
  present

7
Components

• Hand guard
• Quadrant sight assembly
• Receiver assembly
• Barrel assembly
• Leaf sight assembly
• Trigger guard
• Safety

8
Components
9
Quadrant Sight Assembly
10
Leaf Sight Assembly
11
Ammunition

• Fixed-type, low-velocity 40-mm rounds
• Fires
• High explosive
• Illuminating
• Signaling
• CS
• Training ammunition

12
Types of 40 MM Ammo PYROTECHNIC SIGNAL and
SPOTTING ROUNDS
13
TYPES OF 40-MM AmmoMULTIPLE PURPOSE AND CHEMICAL
ROUNDS
14
Technical Data
15
Technical Data
M203 Weapon WEIGHT
Kg Lb Launcher unloaded
1.4 3.0 Launcher
loaded 1.6
3.5 Rifle grenade launcher (loaded)
5.0 11.0 LENGTH
cm in Rifle grenade
launcher 99.0
39 Barrel only
30.5 12 Rifling
25.4
10 Ammunition Caliber
40mm Weight
227gr
(approx)