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Canadian Forces Grenade Launcher — Diemaco 40mm
M203A1 |
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The standard CF grenade launcher is a Canadianized M203 firing the low-velocity 40mm x 46mm grenade. Based on
the original US Army M203 devised by AAI/Colt [1], the Diemaco M203A1 was modified to meet the
CF’s requirements. Like the US Colt M203A1, Diemaco’s similarily-designated M203A1 has a 9-inch barrel. The
big difference between US and Canadian systems is Diemaco’s mounting system, which places the
launcher barrel lower (to accommodate the distinct barrel profile of CF C7/C8 series weapons). The lower barrel
position also results in slightly different trigger guards. However, in their role as suppressing-fire anti-personnel
weapons, M203s are all the same.
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Diemaco M203A1 Grenade
Launcher Specifications
| Name: |
Launcher, Grenade, 40mm,
M203A1 |
| Round: |
NATO 40 x 46mm SR low-velocity grenades |
| Action: |
Breech loading / single shot / pump action |
| Barrel: |
40mm rifled tube, aluminum construction |
Bore:
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22.8cm (9") long , rifling: six lands, twist
rate:
one turn per 121cm of travel, right-hand twist |
| Weight: |
unloaded 1.85 kg , loaded 6.81
kg |
| Range: |
25m (arming) to 450m max. (350m effective) |
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[1] The M203 was developed in the mid-’60s by AAI Corporation working under a US Army contract. Colt began mass
production in 1971.
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Photo Credits –
sideviews: Stephen Priestley, centre right: Dale MacPherson, bottom
right, modified RWM Arges, all others: DND/CF
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M203 actions are also similar. The firing cycle is entirely manual with the rifle magazine acting as a hand
grip. A lever opens the breech, a grenade is pushed into the breech (left) and the tube
slides back to cock the weapon. The M203 can be fired directly at close-range targets or indirectly using the
folding ladder-type
sights – which can be attached to either side of the mount (far right). CF infantry sections usually have two
M203A1 grenadiers (each of whom carry 12 of the 40mm grenades).
An M203A1 is installed by removing the C7 lower hand guard ( a replacement hand guard comes with each grenade
launcher ). An armourer must install the M203A1 but the launcher can be readily removed with a
quick-release pin. The launcher can be mounted on any C7 without modification ( but a longer sling is required and, on
the 
combat in Afghanistan the M203A1 launcher has proved to be invaluable, the 40mm fragmentation grenades
– in combination with disposable M72 rocket projectiles – giving excellent
suppression coverage when troops advance or are under fire.