M203 Grenade Launcher Info

[The Dutchman]

I was looking on the web and on impactguns.com they actually have m203 40mm grenade launchers for sale. My first reaction is that they can't possibly sell those to anyone less than law enforcement can they? Wouldn't that be a huge liability if the wrong person got a hold of one of those. Even if civilians can buy them there is absolutely no way a civilian can 40mm ammo legally. So my question is this can a civilian really buy one with all possible NFA rules applying and what would be the point of owning something you can't even get ammo for a $300 paperweight?

 

[Lucky]

I'd like one. Civilians can get dynamite to clear stumps, so you can own explosives. Civilians can own firearms, so you can own grenade launchers, with the right paperwork. So put the two together, I guess. Fill out enough forms and it would all be legal. The problem would be finding a willing supplier.

And for fun you can buy chalk grenades, with blue chalk. And they're reloadable. They are actually fired by a .38 special case (sans bullet, use cardboard plug), which fits into a 40mm plastic hi-low pressure case. And then the 'grenades' don't require a die or a press or anything, they just get glued in.

...Not that I've looked into it or anything...

At a firing range in my city they have a grenade launcher range, and a rental. Inert warheads, aiui, though.

 

[chopinbloc]

no bs? huh. i knew that the 37mm flare launcher m203 look alikes have been on the market for some time now, but i didn't know anyone was selling 40mm. are you sure it's not 37mm? maybe the advertiser/distributor made a mistake.

 

[Ed]

If you find a REAL 203 for $300 buy it and RUN!!! Last I saw was a LMT on AR15.com for over $2000 plus you owe the ATF $200. Chalk rounds are FUN.

 

[Dionysusigma]

If it is a 37mm, then is it useful for anything? Are barrel inserts available to convert it to 12ga...

No, wait. That'd constitute an SBR (well, short-barreled shotgun anyway). :banghead:

So is it just like putting an aftermarket spoiler on a pickup truck? Looks... different, but doesn't really do anything?

 

[Beren]

My understanding is that the grenades for it are classed as destructive devices. Some states may allow you to own and use them, but acquisition is through the usual NFA process with its $200 stamp. Per grenade. You do the math. Most folks seem to use them with chalk grenades for fun.

Genuine 40mm M203 grenade launchers ARE available for purchase. They, also, are classified as DD's and you must follow the NFA process to legally purchase one.

 

[chopinbloc]

there are flare and smoke rounds readily available for the 37mm as well as plastic 12ga inserts that are only designed to use the low power, short 12ga flares or capsicum rounds. of course, there are also LE only tear gas, knee knocker, bean bag and rubber buckshot rounds.

 

[boofus]

Most everyone that owns a M203 uses the practice chalk rounds or the flare rounds. There just aren't any vendors willing to sell the HE to civilians, even though it is perfectly legal if you jump through the registration and tax hoops. I suppose you could build your own HE rounds if you fill out the NFA Form 1 and get it approved. But it would cost $200 in tax for a 1 shot item.


The cheapest 40mm launchers I have seen are the LMT M203's for around $1500.

 

[MudPuppy]

I heard same as Beren--in addition to the $200 per round, I heard you required prior approval to actually using them. (And I though 50BMG ammo was expensive!!)

 

[Number 6]

You can find different types of ammo and some more information here.

http://mr40mm.com/

 

[The Dutchman]

this is a really dumb question but I must ask it since this has suddenly peaked my interest...............can you purchase one in california? Probably not but I must ask.

 

[boofus]

can you purchase one in california?

Bahaha, good one.