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Posted: 7/3/2007 1:00:04 PM EDT
I see a lot of questions about available 40mm rounds from folks considering purchase of a 40mm system. I decided to take a picture of one of each type of round in my current collection to illustrate just some of the legal, non-DD rounds that are out there. Once I took the picture I realized that I didn't include a chalk round. Oh well. Top row left to right: XM651E1 (CS gas), M715 (green smoke), XM585 (white star cluster), M583A1 (white star parachute), M662 (red star parachute), XM576E1 (buckshot), EBR CQB 00 Frangible, ALS Interlocking Baton, ExIm Foam Baton Bottom row left to right: 20 gauge adaptor, 12 gauge adaptor, 26.5mm adaptor, 22lrx10 rifled adaptor, ALS OC Penetrator, ALS CS Penetrator Joe |
You load it with 10 rounds of 22lr ammo and a large pistol primer to activate all ten firing pins. All 10 rounds are fired simultaneously, which generates a surprisingly large bang and recoil. Known as a "hornet's nest" or "bee hive." |
I assumed it was a ten shot .22lr adaptor but I didn't understand how the M203's firing pin could fire them all at once. Thanks for explaining the pistol primer. One more question, if I may? Where could I buy one of those adaptors? I have been thinking about an M203 to replace my 37mm. |
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The 22 adapter rounds are available from www.mr40mm.com (he sells versions that shoot 9 or 18 rounds at once, but they're unrifled). The version I have is rifled and it's available from www.autoweapons.com. Like everything they sell, it's not cheap. I bought mine by posting a WTB ad on Grog's 40mm site (grog101.forumco.com). Someone there offered me a new one for $300. Anyone who owns a 40mm system should get one of these 22 adapters. They're a lot of fun and much cheaper than shooting chalk at $5 or so a round. Joe |
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Very informative photo. I didn't realize just how much 40mm stuff was out there. I'd suggest editing the caption to include the approximate price per round of each type of ammo (or adapter) as that too would be good info to have. Some of those things might be a lot less appealing, or more appealing, depending on the sticker price. |
Realistically, the things I shoot regularly are chalk and the "adapter" rounds. The foam baton rounds can be easily reloaded, so those could also be shot regularly at almost zero marginal cost. The next cheapest rounds are likely the white parachute flares, which sell for anywhere from $20 to $60 depending on source. The remainder of the rounds are really "shelf queens." Joe |
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Ouch! When you mention round at $20-60 a pop and then mention others as "shelf queens" that really scares me off a bit. The "buckshot" rounds look really interesting (not to mention being one hell of a home defense load  ), but not if they're over the $60/round threshold.Too bad we can't get the HE rounds at a reasonable price (and minus the $200/rd tax). |
The trick is to reload if you like to shoot a variety of stuff and want low cost. There are good sources of reloading info for the 40mm system. I've tried to collect a variety of stuff, including milspec rounds that are not widely available. Apparently, the military buckshot rounds are pretty anemic. Mine were expensive enough that I haven't fired them, but I do know that my 12 gauge adapter loaded with buckshot works quite nicely. The chalk rounds are a lot more fun than you might think. Taking a case of 25 to the range is a sure way to make some new friends. Joe |
| NH Joe hit it on the head. You need to decide if your going to reload before you enter the hobby. Whether it be 37mm or 40mm, commercial loads are just too expensive to go out and shoot a lot of. However, if you want a cool hobby, it's an absolute blast. I think the reloading is about as much fun for me as the shooting. You get to experiment. Now I don't have an actual M203 but I do have a registered 37mm. I have had very successful marble rounds, bb's, wood batons, rubber balls, pvc caps, not to mention the pyro rounds. I can put the bb's, marbles and wood batons through 1/2" plywood without a problem. |
Our unit got some while in Iraq, and we thought they were pretty cool until we shot one. Probably the most underwhelming thing I've ever seen  If you shot someone at two feet I imagine it would put them down, but it didn't feel to have any power behind it and the pattern was very wide. Not nearly as fun as shooting the other 40mm rounds. 
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Did you get any of the flechette rounds to use? |
Nope. |
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I know this thread is about the 40mm but I wanted you to look at some pictures just to get your imagination pumping. Mine are actually 37mm but the same could be done with 40mm casings. I've loaded all sorts of strange stuff. (disclaimer: My 37mm underbarrel launcher is a registered NFA destructive device. DO NOT load any such rounds in an unregistered flare gun unless you like prison)   |
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