Operative Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 I was reading some about the M203, variants, specifications and such, when I stumbled in the M203Grip, a forward grip that attaches directly to any variant of the M203 that maintains the same barrel design. I was like: nice, another tacticool item, but this one appears to have some functionality (well, the grenade launcher weights aprox 1kg). Then I checked in their site, only to discover that US troops are fielding it, yet I never saw a picture of it before It's possible to spot some army reserve with it in their site (also, nice cover in the square hanguard). The site is this http://www.m203grip.com/, also, you can check a list of units that fielded it here http://www.m203grip.com/users.htm. Now the question to the active and former personnel of the US Armed Forces: Are they common? Do the soldiers get it issued with their equipment or do they have to buy it? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 It has an NSN and can be ordered by units. I tried to get my unit to order some for us for our deployment, but they wouldn't. They're pricey little things if I remember right. There are pics of them being used in the field too. I didn't see any in use within my brigade. Honestly, I'm glad I never invested in one, would have made the M4/M203 combo more clumsy than it already is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeealice Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 (edited) i think in all honesty, looking at it on the pictures, the M4 M203 actually looked easier to use without the grip, then you arent having to stretch your arm over the whole gun to reach the trigger for the grenade launcher. but if all else fails, issue an M4 with an M302 which has a nice pistol grip in which you can reach the GL trigger with the same hand you are holding the grenade launcher with. and if i remember, the M302 is much lighter, so maybe it wont hurt a soldiers wrist as much. but then there is costs of issuing new GLs to everyone but hey, I'm not a US/UK army member so i am probably talking utter nonsense Edited May 8, 2011 by zeealice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 the M4 M203 actually looked easier to use without the grip, then you arent having to stretch your arm over the whole gun to reach the trigger for the grenade launcher. I'm not sure what you mean by this. The M203 trigger is forward of the magazine well on the M4. The addition, or removal, of the foregrip doesn't effect this. TheM320 grenade launcher is considered the successor to the M203. It is lighter and loads from the side which is kinda cool. I guess I got too used to the M203 and its functioning to see the need for a replacement. They're rugged little things, and the H&K M320 seems like it has too many moving parts and sharp edges to destroy. If it ain't broke... why fix it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeealice Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 (edited) fod slap! i said m302 dint i? i'll remember M320 now he is having to stretch the arm he would use for the M4's trigger over the M4 to reach the M203's trigger, in all honesty, it would strain my elbow having to stretch my arm over my gun. i know it sounds like i am a wimp but honestly it would be quite painful after so often. and what if suddenly you are in a tight situation, you are ready to fire a grenade at the enemy (with the grip) but suddenly an enemy soldier jumps out of a crate about 6 ft away from you, you would have buddies, but if they are busy, you are dead, gone, bye bye. because you didn't have your finger near enough to the M4's trigger. the M320 does look a bit weird agreeably, but if you are complaining of wrist pain due to the weight of the M203, you ask to be issued with an M320, simple as that. but hey, like i said, never deployed, never will be, so i can't really go too technical. talking sniper rifles i am great, i have had my fair share of rounds with a Vintorez and an SVT (WW2 soviet sniper rifle) along with many others (still wanting to play with an M82 though ) Edited May 8, 2011 by zeealice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 http://www.m203grip.com/M203grip-Iraq-2010.jpg he is having to stretch the arm he would use for the M4's trigger over the M4 to reach the M203's trigger, in all honesty, it would strain my elbow having to stretch my arm over my gun. i know it sounds like i am a wimp but honestly it would be quite painful after so often. and what if suddenly you are in a tight situation, you are ready to fire a grenade at the enemy (with the grip) but suddenly an enemy soldier jumps out of a crate about 6 ft away from you, you would have buddies, but if they are busy, you are dead, gone, bye bye. because you didn't have your finger near enough to the M4's trigger. It's not as bad as it looks. If the triggers are too close together you run the risk of reaching for the wrong one. It's not like his arm is outstreched to reach the trigger, notice that his arm is bent, with plenty of length available. Some guys shoot with the buttstock on the shoulder (I think this is the "proper" way) but I shot with the buttstock under my armpit. I couldn't really use my sights, but I could hit my target so no one gave me hell for it, haha. the M320 does look a bit weird agreeably, but if you are complaining of wrist pain due to the weight of the M203, you ask to be issued with an M320, simple as that. Hahahaha, I wish it worked like this. I can't imagine what would have happened if I had gone to my Platoon Sergeant and said "Hey Sergeant, this M249 SAW you're making me carry is too heavy and my collective almost 100 pounds of gear is too heavy... can I get an M9 and not have to wear my gear out on patrol instead?" Needs of the Army come first. Your commander needs you to carry that M203 and the unit needs the money that you want them to spend on a M320 instead - again, if it ain't broke. but hey, like i said, never deployed, never will be, so i can't really go too technical. talking sniper rifles i am great, i have had my fair share of rounds with a Vintorez and an SVT (WW2 soviet sniper rifle) along with many others (still wanting to play with an M82 though ) M82s are fun. If you ever get a chance to shoot one, never pass it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Operative Posted May 8, 2011 Author Share Posted May 8, 2011 (edited) Zeealice, I think it's part of the doctrine: you shouldn't press the M203 trigger with the holding hand (anyway, adding 1kg to the M4/M16 makes it way front heavy), always the trigger hand. The soldiers complain about wrist torsion and fatigue. The grip may amenize that. With the M320 (with the pistol grip) I don't know. But it may be heavier than the M203 with all those aiming devices. So they got NSN? Thanks for that reply Ruin. OMG, they are really expensive! ArmyProperty.com I would prefer the one without the flashlight if issued a M4/M16 with rails, also the shorter one makes more sense, so it wouldn't increase the height of the weapon if prone. Edited May 8, 2011 by Operative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 But it may be heavier than the M203 with all those aiming devices. We had some big dumb aiming device for our M203s. I was issued one that eventually ended up in a sensitive items box about 3 weeks into my deployment. So they got NSN? Thanks for that reply Ruin. Yup, it's right here. No problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Operative Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Thanks for that information too. Yeah, I should have figured the NSN on my own, it's right up there in their front page! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeealice Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 (edited) M82s are fun. If you ever get a chance to shoot one, never pass it up. i'll probably have to lie prone using it, or kneel down and rest it on something, there is no way in hell i am pulling the the trigger standing up! anyway back on with the topic. the m320 and an m203 are very similar, unlike the comparison you made as they are both underbarrel GLs, an M249 SAW and an M9 is a bit of a big class leap there oh and the trigger thing (sorry guys) but if you had you finger on both it wouldn't be the issue of reaching for the wrong one. what i am basically trying to say here is they sort of need a pistol grip attachment rather than a foregrip attatchement, but you can still sort of use it as a foregrip for when your wrist hurts. not just the foregrip. certainly have to see what my friend can do about it or at least he knows what weight it'll be so he can put on the end of his M4 and space it out like the M203's weight, THEN i may be able to comment more accurately Edited May 9, 2011 by zeealice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabellum Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I'm a little late to this thread, but I found this image this evening while surfing the net. US SOF w/ M203 grip I've no idea if the image is authentic, but if it is, then at least one US soldier is/was using the M203 grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Operative Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 I cannot say those photos (specifically the one you posted) in the album are authentic, as I have no experience in this kind of thing, but the photo is nice (that album is superb, don't know if it's authentic, but it's still superb) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeealice Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 (edited) looks like they are doing training excersises, i could see the blank fire adapters on their barrels in a few of them (sorry stating the obvious) you can even get grips for the M320 too? Edited May 14, 2011 by zeealice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I didn't see any BFAs but also didn't look at the entire album, just a few pics before and after Para's. The one posted though appears to be authentic, but maybe older because of the wear of DCUs... then again, if it really is SOF they kinda do their own thing anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeealex Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 (edited) just taken a look myself: http://www.flickr.com/photos/world_armies/5695531311/in/set-72157623265044546/lightbox/ BFAs? am i wrong? and if that's fort bragg, i wanna be there! http://www.flickr.com/photos/world_armies/5699209565/in/set-72157623265044546/lightbox/ they even use front grips for the M320 too? Edited May 17, 2011 by Zeealex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I just spent this past weekend at Ft. Bragg. Trust me, you don't want to be there, haha. That first pic does have a BFA. Obvious training. No idea who it is though. There's nothing I saw to see who it might be. As far as the second image, I can't see if he's actually holding anything in his hand with the M320. It's so forward it doesn't seem practical for there to be a grip there. Also since the M320 opens sideways, not forwards, I don't see a purpose for it. Hmmmn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeealex Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 (edited) nah, i just thout it would be a fun scenario for paintball or somp'in http://www.flickr.com/photos/world_armies/5695360434/in/set-72157623265044546/lightbox/ then again it looks like he is using his m320 neat (without it being attached to a gun) Edited May 17, 2011 by Zeealex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Alex, I'm about to think we need to move to PM to not blow up the forums hahahaha. The one pic with the guy holding what appears to be a M320 makes it appear to have a foregrip too. That's odd since I've never seen one. Since the M320 has a grip already, even near the trigger, I don't see the need for a forward one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeealex Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 XD yeah, might be a good idea it is a little odd int it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Operative Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 Isn't the forward grip part of the M320 design (just guessing) as it was designed to be used also in stand-alone version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeealex Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 you could be right there op, but i always thought it had a buttstock when standalone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Operative Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 (edited) I've found this file in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PEO_M320_on_M4_Carbine.jpg, it's an image, present also in the M320 article. Nice information here, where it says the M320 weights 1,5kg. Also the barrel lenght of the M203 is bigger (12 inches, compatible with M4 and M4A1, but seem mostly with M16A2 and M16A4, as the 9 inches version [M203A1] was made with the carbine lenght in mind, even the 12 inches version don't increasing the overall lenght of the whole weapon). The M203 is not that lighter: 1,36kg. But the M320 looks damn heavy! Edited May 17, 2011 by Operative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeealex Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 i'm beginning to agree that the grip is there as an optional thing while mounted and as support for when using it standalone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabellum Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I didn't see any BFAs but also didn't look at the entire album, just a few pics before and after Para's. The one posted though appears to be authentic, but maybe older because of the wear of DCUs... then again, if it really is SOF they kinda do their own thing anyway. I thought it might be authentic, because the guy's clothes are far too dirty to be an airsoft player (Unless they're me. I get filthy and nasty). I haven't seen too many M136's in airsoft, either. Hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeealex Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 and you do see some guys on patrol in Iraq so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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