M-203 Value

[Rainman]

Hey Guys,
I located an M-203 for sale locally, but not sure what a good price would be for one. I carried one once, and thought it might make a nice addition to my Colt AR-15. I don't fire the Colt hardly ever, so it's just for my own collection. I go hunting when I get the urge to kill something, but seldom ever get the urge to blow sh*t up anymore. Any idea what the laws are regarding 40mm explosives?
Rainman

[salt6]

First are you sure it's 40mm and not 37mm? The 40mm will be considered a DD and you will need to jump through all the BAFTE hoops.

[ltsimp]

Rainman, I have a 40mm M-79. The predecesor to the M203. To be honest it would be a lot easier to answer this question on the phone. But I will give the condensed version. It is legal to own a 40mm M203. You have to Buy the weapon, have the paper work done, Pay the $200 tax send it in wait for it to come back to the dealer or person that is selling it and pick up the weapon. You can shoot chalk practice rounds, pyrotechnics, signals, beehive and other rounds with less than approx 1/4 oz of HE with out any other paperwork. HE rounds that contain more than the approx 1/4oz require the Paperwork and the $200 tax stamp for each round. Keep in mind that this is assuming you are looking at a M203 in the state that you live in. If out of state there is another step or 2. The 37 mm requires nothing more than the paperwork to purchase any firearm. PM me and I will give you my number to answer any other question you may have. Hope this helps.

[sherwan_88]

Hey Rainman,

AN M203! I can only dream of it.
Good luck with the acquisition and please do show some pictures, i would love to see them.

[Rainman]

Just got an email from the contact. He's selling it for a friend, and I'm asking the 37mm/40mm question, and legal question. Have gone on to where I found the listing, and it's already gone, as if it never existed, kinda like my last posts on the G503. How cool is that? Maybe that should happen to this thread? Been known to have illegal smile from time to time, but I don't mess much with the IRS or the BATFE. I'll keep you posted, as long as this thread is visible
Rainman

[Rainman]

Word back ths evening, it's a 37mm. I've asked a maker, but not sure if it matters. I'm at the perfect place to ask questions, but what's a fair value, $100, $200, $300? I hope to make direct contact with the seller next week. Your opinions will be most appreciated.
Rainman

[rickf]

Word back ths evening, it's a 37mm. I've asked a maker, but not sure if it matters. I'm at the perfect place to ask questions, but what's a fair value, $100, $200, $300? I hope to make direct contact with the seller next week. Your opinions will be most appreciated.
Rainman

Makes no difference! By the time you leave here you will be broke!!


Rick

[ida34]

The make would be the difference hear. Stenparts.com has one for $225 plus $40 for the AR-15 M203 style handguard. A genuine Cobray launcher goes for more like the $400-$600 mark depending on whether it has a 7 inch barrel or a 15 inch barrel. The thing to remember is the ones sold are flare guns. If you shoot anything else out of them (I know many people do) then it could be considered a destructive device. For instance, the police use a 37 mm launcher for a less lethal rubber projectile round and tear gas round. If you used these type rounds in the flare launcher it would be a destructive device not a signaling device. Would you get caught? Depends on how stupid you want to get and how choosy you are about shooting partners. Just giving you the low down so you can make an informed decision.

Chuck

[Floyd]

Studies In the Operational Negation of Insurgents and Counter-Subversion

Good luck Rainman

[Motorcityman]

If you just want one for wall hanging then I suggest the airsoft copies, they are a spot on match down to the correct markings.

If you want a real M203 then be prepared to open up your wallet, wide enough that you can buy another mutt with that same money you're going to spend on a real legal M203, they go for $2500-$5000

I'm old school when it comes to launching grenades, I've gotten pretty good over the years too and can land an inert grenade within a meter of my target. I have a nice collection of grenade launchers, any milspec AR15 with a standard flash suppressor will work as a grenade launcher, all you need are either some adapters or some inert rifle grenades and grenade launching blanks. Standard blanks work too but they don't go as far.

Everyone loves pics

These are yugoslavian practice rifle grenades, I shoot them off a yugo M70 AK47 that has a special grenade sight built into the gas block/shut off. They are a hoot to shoot! The actual launcher is in this pic on the left below the blanks, it screws onto the muzzle.



This is the rifle I shoot the above grenades with, I built this rifle from a parts kit and distressed it to look old like it was just picked up off the battlefield.



Here are various rifle grenades from my collection, if you have an M1 garand the M7 grenade launchers are still cheap and so are the blanks to shoot them, an AR15 will shoot these as well. Some are smoke, some are flares, others are HEAT.



Even M1 carbines will launch grenades, but be prepared to open up ur pocket book as the launchers in any condition are worth a mint, mine I was lucky to find in NOS condition.



From left to right. M7 (garand), M7A1 (garand), M7A2 (garand), M7A3 (garand), M76 (M14), and a modified M7 modified by the ARVN for use with the 1903/1903A3 series of rifles (very rare).

[Motorcityman]

I gotta show off one of my latest aquisitions

This badboy is ultra rare in this condition, its an M29 Energa grenade from the early 50's dated 10-52' Still has the grenade blank taped to it. I found it in the original carboard tube The little things in the bag are called vitamin pills, they were a small booster charge you put in right behind the grenade, they boosted the grenade an extra 50-75 yards, they used them when they needed a little more umph when the target was beyond a standard rifle grenade blanks capabilities.

[sherwan_88]

Joe,
With this load of fire power, guys would rarely screw with you.
Had to say it....

[Rainman]

Well Joe,
When it comes to launchers, you da man! Have written back and forth with this guy, we're to meet on Saturday. He's talking $225, it's got no maker on it that he saw, and it's 37MM as I mentioned before. I was told it was worth more with the mounting kit, but no info on that yet either. 2 days to go and I'll know all the answers.
Rainman
Follow Up: I picked it up for $200 with the mounting kit, but no site. Looks very cool on the old Colt AR. I'm lovin an airsoft M16A1 I picked up at Aberdeen from KCGonzo. Very cool plastic replica that with very little work, looks very real.