Diamondback

For y'all who've handled 203's, how's their recoil? I'm looking at mounting a 37mm flare-launcher on a Remmy 870's pump (but would like to do my build so it could take a live 40mm), and wondered if the recoil would create problems with the pump. Would I need to figure out some kind of lock to keep the assembly from moving under recoil, or would I have to fire while reloading the "main bore", or could it work unmodified aside from adding the mounts?

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Madcap72

The recoil is hardly noticeable. less than a weak 20 gauge shotgun.

To clear one thing up, when you talk about setting it up so it "could" take a 40mm, your talking about the mounting system right? Otherwise the math does not work out in your favor.

2HOW

Little to no recoil, I wouldnt even consider it a draw back.

Diamondback

Madcap, I was talking about the mountings, and also anything I might need to do to keep the 203 or 37mm from cycling the pump when fired. (I'll admit, this is for a "Zombie Gun" project... and I'm going to have to design/build a new pump anyway, since this is to go under a twin-bore "Remington 1740" build. If it's not so evil that Grabbers go into cardiac-arrest just from imagining the monster, then I still have work to do on it... )

Thanks, guys!
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Madcap72

[quote="Diamondback"]Madcap, I was talking about the mountings, and also anything I might need to do to keep the 203 or 37mm from cycling the pump when fired. (I'll admit, this is for a "Zombie Gun" project... and I'm going to have to design/build a new pump anyway, since this is to go under a twin-bore "Remington 1740" build. If it's not so evil that Grabbers go into cardiac-arrest just from imagining the monster, then I still have work to do on it... )

Well, the easiest way to keep the shotgun from cycling is to... not fire the shotgun so it stays locked. As far as mounting a 203? good luck on the engineering. I's just cheat and buy a spikes havoc stand alone.

Al Thompson

Just saw this, thought I'd post a belated response.

If your planning to shoot 40mm HE, be advised that there is a pretty good thump at the shoulder. For the training rounds, it's (as described) about like a light 20 GA load.

With the HE, it would be (IMHO) even money on cycling the 870s (if I understand the question correctly) if the actions were unlocked. Cocked, shouldn't be an issue.

IrishCop

I agree, Al. Way back in '76 or '77 when my SP Squadron first got M-203's, we fired both training (big bursts of orange powder on impact) and HE. The HE felt like a 12 gauge to me, the training rounds were lighter.

RobInAL

In my early Army days, when I was the FNG in my platoon, I was "awarded" the "privilege" of hauling around an M-16A1/M-203.
That said, as per the earlier posts, when firing the training round, recoil was next to nil. The HE and buckshot rounds had a lot more "oomph" to them.

<sarcasm>Given the 203's staggering rate of fire you may be in for quite a ride.</sarcasm>

My opinion is based, though on the combined weight of the two weapons and basic physics. I'm not familiar with how much the
shotgun you're referring to weighs but if it is less than an M-16A1, recoil might be a (very) minor concern. Also, a good 90% of the live ammo
I got to fire was Vietnam vintage (+/- 7 or 8 years old) if that makes a difference.

The biggest problem I remember was on two occasions (same trip to the range) mine fired as tube closed. Rather disconcerting, to say the least. From what I remember
it was due to a worn or defective part that our armorer handled some how or another (3rd shop maint. maybe?).

Have fun with it!

Rob

Snake45

Never shot the M203 but over the years I did put maybe 40 or 50 rounds through its predecessor, the XM148. As others have said, recoil wasn't a problem at all. More than a .223 of course but nowhere near a 12 gauge buckshot load.

I never particularly cared for the thing. It screwed up the nice handling of the M16.

Skeptic49

Main problem with a 203 is the angle. You can't really get a good stock weld at high angles. Direct fire at low angles was about the same as a slug in a single barrel "hinge action" (see I remember my Hunter Safety Training) shotgun. At high angles it can kick more because it can be hard to brace the weapon while wearing full field gear (1970s ALCE pack and belt).

Geoff
Who notes most M203 engagements are fairly close now days at least according to the news.