Soldiers on Fort Jackson began training with a new weapons system that can launch grenades while attached to an M4 carbine rifle, or be fired independently.
That was reported by press service of the United States Army.
A training team was on hand at Fort Jackson Tuesday and Wednesday to familiarize drill sergeants with the newest grenade launcher in the Army arsenal — the M320A1 grenade launcher, which is replacing the venerable M203. Unlike the M203, the M320 has a removable stock that can be attached to allow it to be fired as its own weapon.
M320 Grenade Launcher Module (GLM) is the U.S. military’s designation for a new single-shot 40 mm grenade launcher system to replace the M203 for the U.S. Army, while other services will keep using the older M203. The M320 uses the same High-Low Propulsion System as the M203.
The M320 model weighs five pounds, two more than the model it is replacing. The additional weight comes from the M320’s much more durable barrel, which is meant to give the weapon a longer lifespan. Rounds fired through a lighter barrel can deteriorate accuracy much quickly they would deteriorate the accuracy of a heavier one.
Another difference between the two models: a Soldier fires the M320 while grasping a pistol grip, whereas a Soldier fires the M203 while grasping the magazine.
Burks acknowledged that firing the M320 while it was attached to her rifle was difficult because it required her to fire the launcher using her left hand while holding the M4’s pistol grip with her right.