Special Operations.Com
GRENADE
LAUNCHER & SHOTGUN ATTACHMENTS
The M-4 Series
was specifically designed to allow it to mount the
M-203 Grenade Launcher, in keeping with this design
theme even more weapons have been mated to the design.
The 40mm grenade launcher is a common sight to be
found on the M-4, many special operations types prefer
having the extra bit of firepower along on a mission.
Aside from the M-203 grenade launcher a cut-down Remington
Model 870P has been mounted to the underside of the
M-4, dubbed the "Masterkey" (see Figure's
4-1 & 4-2) it is a popular weapon for Close Quarters
Combat. The Masterkey owes much of it's original
design to early weapons designs in the 1980's in which
cutdown shotguns were mounted to the underside of
AR-15 rifles. Changes were however made, it
is felt that a long barrel was not advantageous to
the mission requirements of those would be using the
weapon. Instead it was felt that a 10.0 inch
barrel would be best for the up close combat that
it would be used for, no provisions are made for a
handgrip for the shotgun. It is fired as one
would use the M-203 grenade launcher.
The effect is
to allow the user of the M-4 great flexibility for
being able to choose a weapon suited to their mission
requirements, the M-203 for firepower in small package
(see Figures 4-3, 4-4 & 4-5). Or choosing
the Remington for the ability to fire a wide variety
of shells aside from the obvious double ought buckshot
and sabot slugs.
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Figure
4-1
Colt
M-4 Carbine with Aimpoint MOD and Masterkey
System (Sawed Down Remington 870P)
|
|
Figure
4-2
Colt
M-4 Carbine and Earlier Mounting For Masterkey
System (Sawed Down Remington 870P)
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Figure
4-3 Colt M4 Carbine with PI-M203 Grenade
Launcher
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Figure
4-4
Early
Test M4 Carbine With MWG 90 Round Drum &
Early Knight PI-M203 Mounting System.
The 90
rd mag equipped M4 has a PAQ4 laser aimer
on handguard, mounting system is for the earlier
Knight PI-M203 system which was later dropped
from service.
|
|
Figure
4-5
M4A1
Carbine: Fitted With A Reflex Sight, Laser
Aiming Module & PI-M203 Grenade Launcher
Beneath
Is A Holstered Heckler & Koch Mk 23 Model
0 Pistol
|
M-203 PI Grenade
Launcher
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Year
Of Introduction:
|
1994
|
|
Cartridge:
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40x46mm
|
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Ammunition
Capacity:
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1
Round, Slide Open
|
|
Barrel
Length:
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12.0
inches
|
|
Overall
Length:
|
15.0
inches
|
|
Rate
Of Fire:
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(Single
Shot) 8 ROunds Per Minute
|
|
Minimum
Range:
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3
Meters
|
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Maximum
Range:
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400
Meters
|
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Weight:
|
3.58
pounds
|
Masterkey System
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Date
Of Introduction:
|
1992
|
|
Cartridge:
|
12
Gauge (18.5x70mmR)
|
|
Ammunition
Capacity:
|
3
rounds + 1
|
|
Barrel
Length:
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10.0 inches
|
|
Overall
Length:
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17.0 inches
|
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Type
Of Fire:
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Manual
Slide Repeater
|
|
Rate
Of Fire
|
3 Round Per
Minute
|
|
Rate
Of Fire (Cyclic):
|
|
|
Effective
Range:
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5
Yards
|
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Maximum
Range:
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20 Yards
|
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Weight:
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5.75 pounds
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CONTINUE
