M203 grenade launcher

[neviander]

Good info, as usual guys, thanks

 

[Dan Forrester]

30 cal slob: I am almost 100% certain that a 40mm with an unrifled barrel is still a DD. It has noting to do with the rifling. Anything over .50 cal is a DD unless it has a sporting purposes exemption like shotguns up to 10ga or non guns such as 25, 26.5 and 37mm flare guns.

I could be wrong however as this area is confusing. But I am “almost” certain that a 40mm breach loader with a smooth bore is a DD.

To confuse the issue even more a 37mm flare gun with a rifled bore would again make it a DD.

Be careful out there guys.

Dan

 

[PTK]

ANYTHING that can chamber a regular 40mm round is automatically DD. Since even a smoothbore 40mm could launch 40mm rounds, it's a DD.

But yes, the bare receiver isn't a DD by itself.

 

[Scanr]

This would be fun for song dogs.

 

[Petrock]

The reason why the rifled bbl makes it a DD is because an HE round arms after x number of revolutions (20-ish meters from the muzzle).

30 cal slob this is sort of true. The rifling in the barrel imparts spin to the projectile. This spin creates centrifugal force which moves parts inside the projectile that either hold the explosive train out of line or are blocking channels which allow the "flash" to pass through thus arming the fuze of the projectile.

The HE/Frag version (C149 specifically) has a detent that is forced outward by centrifugal force freeing the rotor inside the fuze. This fuze arms from 14m to a max of 19 m from the muzzle to provide safe separation of the projectile from the shooter.

Set back force is also required to arm these fuzes providing even more safety.

 

[expvideo]

Oh now I SOOO want one of these!

 

[gregormeister]

I'd sooner go back in the Corps so I could shoot the real deal...

 

[Prince Yamato]

Some 12 gauges are DDs though like the street sweeper and IIRC, the Spas 12. I think "sporting purposes" is another way of saying "because I said so" for the ATF.

I once read, though I have no link, that according to ATF, all shotguns are considered destructive devices unless otherwise excepted by the Attorney General. Most shotguns are excepted with the... exception... of Street Sweepers and a couple others.

 

[chuckusaret]

Hey, I tested the XM203 in Nam. Petrock is correct about the projectile. I have fired it at a bad guy at less 50 ft and the round did not arm, but put th BG down anyway and also made a problem for whoever removed his remains. In my opinion it was a great idea but the thing + ammo got mighty heavy after a few k's