The Vietnam Trials of the XM203 Underbarrel Grenade Launcher

[Talyn]

During the 1950s, the U.S. Army sought to boost infantry firepower with a weapon that offered greater range than a hand-thrown grenade but was far more portable than a mortar. This led to the development in the late 1950s of the low-velocity 40x46mm Springfield Armory M79, a single-shot, break-action first issued in 1961. The M79 proved effective and popular in early Vietnam, but its single-shot nature was a serious limitation.

Vietnam Combat Trials of the XM203​

In April 1969, 500 XM203 launchers were shipped to Vietnam and distributed among units (including the 1st, 4th, and 25th Infantry Divisions, 101st Airborne (Airmobile), and 11th Armored Cavalry) for a three-month combat evaluation. The Army Concept Team reported that the XM203 was “suitable for use by U.S. Army units in Vietnam”.

The Vietnam Trials of the XM203 Underbarrel Grenade Launcher

During the 1950s, the U.S.Army sought to boost infantry firepower with a weapon that offered greater range than a hand-thrown grenade but was far more portable than a mortar.This led to the development in the late 1950s of the low-velocity 40x46mm Springfield Armory M79, a single-shot...

www.thefirearmblog.com

 

[ECS686]

When I joined the Air Force in 1986 and went through the Security Oilice academy (specifically Security Specialist school) we qualified on the little known and obscure Colt XM148 Grenade Launcher which Lew dates the M203.

Whem I got to my first duty station Blytheville Arkansas thwre was a rack of about 10 M16’s with XM148 launchers for is Jeeps (Jeeps was what rookies were called in Security Forces)

One of the first things we got skne there was they got us qualified in the M203 as well as the S&W Model 15 Revolver, When. that happened we felt like we could sit at the big table with the grown ups.
That XM148 was horrible. That M203 (and model 15) though rocked!

The XM148 - America’s Early Under-Barrel Grenade Launchers in Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, the U.S.military quickly realized that traditional small arms didn’t always cut it in the dense jungle and close-quarters fighting they were up against.The M16 rifle was light, modern, and capable, but the infantry needed more firepower without the burden of carrying a...

www.thefirearmblog.com

 

[HayesGreener]

I fired the XM 203 quite a bit in training in SEA. it had a unique sighting system but was easy to reload and fire in rapid succession. I like the sighting system on the M79 better and was more accurate with it. In Air Base Defense we were in bunkers, towers, or vehicle patrols so we were not so concerned with having the rifle and launcher in a combined unit. I loved watching those grenades arc over to the tsrget like a baseball. Then came the tripod mounted automatic XM174 and that thing was a hoot!

 

[negolien]

Great concept but to be fair the early models were absolute **** LOFL. Rattling, falling off constantly lol absolute utter fkin trash.