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: 
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. 

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. 

Specifications:

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. 
Effective range:  approximately 350 yards

Manufacturer:
Colt Manufacturing 

(U.S. Army Photo)