Infantry Weapons

M203 40 mm grenade launcher

The M203 is a 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher originally built for M16-family rifles. In the Israel-Hamas War, IDF imagery and reporting show it used by infantry in Gaza for close-range grenade support while the IDF also moved to phase in the M320 for some units.

Israel-Hamas WarIsrael

Conflict side: Israel
Built by: Colt
Built in: United States

M203 40 mm grenade launcher, Under-barrel grenade launcher, Infantry Weapons

Profile

Type: Under-barrel grenade launcher
Conflict side: Israel
Origin: United States
Service note: Cold War to present

portable strike

Service History

In service: In service from 1969 onward; still seen in Israeli combat use even as some IDF units transition to the M320.
Used by: Israel Defense Forces, United States military
Wars: Israel-Hamas War

Production History

Designer: AAI Corporation
Designed: 1967-1968
Built by: Colt
Built in: United States
Produced: 1969-present
Variants: M203A1, M203A2, Colt Launcher System

Specifications

Caliber: 40 x 46 mm
Weight: 1.36 kg unloaded; about 4.62 kg on an M4
Operation: Single shot, breech load
Barrel length: 305 mm
Sighting system: Quadrant sight or leaf sight

Conflict Usage

Israel-Hamas War: Side: IsraelRole: Infantry grenade supportstrike precision fires
IDF troops fired M203 grenade launchers in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas War, with battlefield video showing the launcher in use against Hamas positions.

M203 40 mm grenade launcher Images

M203 40 mm grenade launcher, Under-barrel grenade launcher, Infantry Weapons - view 1

M203 40 mm grenade launcher, Under-barrel grenade launcher, Infantry Weapons - view 2

M203 40 mm grenade launcher, Under-barrel grenade launcher, Infantry Weapons - view 3

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Sources

Colt 2024 M203 catalogPublisher: Colt | Note: Supports M203 manufacturer context, Colt's product description, and core technical data for the 40 mm launcher. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Small Arms Survey M203 sheetPublisher: Small Arms Survey | Note: Supports M203 background, operating system, and dimensional data for the 40 x 46 mm launcher. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 TWZ Israel-Gaza situation reportPublisher: The War Zone | Note: The Israel-Hamas War report says the M203 was used by IDF troops in Gaza, with video showing them engaging Hamas. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 IDF soldier firing M203Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Wikimedia Commons file page for an M203 fired by an IDF soldier in the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza; also supports image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 IDF soldier aiming M203Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Wikimedia Commons file page for an IDF soldier aiming an M203; supports the gallery image and reuse context. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Loading M203 on M16Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain Wikimedia Commons file page showing an M203 loaded on an M16 rifle; supports the gallery image and reuse context. | Accessed: 2026-06-20