The Firearm Blog reports about the U.S. Marine Corps as ordering the initial M320 Grenade Launchers as based on the 2019 Budget Estimates Justification Book for the United States Marine Corps. The Corps wil start transitioning from the M203 launcher to the M320 by next year.

Perhaps already known by airsoft players in the form of the Tokyo Marui M320A1 Gas Grenade Launcher, the M320 is based on the Heckler & Koch AG36/AG-C  though they are not identical with the M320 Launcher having a foregrip whereas the AGC36/AG-C does not. The U.S. Marine Corps started testing the M320 in June 2017 with Bravo Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion taking the launcher module through its paces in Camp Lejeune.

The Marine Corps find the ability to use the launcher as a standalone launcher apart from being a rifle mounted launcher as a distinct advantage. With loading a 40 Mike Mike shell into the M320 from the side, it allows longer projectiles with even greater velocity.

U.S. Marine wirh M320 At Camp Lejeune (USMC Photo By: Pfc. Taylor Cooper)

In a report at the official Marines website on the June 2017 test, here is what they say about the M320:

The weapon system offers a multitude of capabilities, superior to that of its predecessor, the M203. One of the most notable differences is the M320’sability to be fired as a separate weapon system, operating without being attached to a host weapon.

“The M320 definitely provides our Marines with a more efficient weapon system,” said Cpl. Nelson Gay, a squad leader with 2nd CEB. “The M320 has an increased rate of fire, and also allows the operator to acquire their targets much faster; usedas either a standalone weapon or on a host weapon, it’s an accurate and efficient system.”

One of the discrepancies with the M203 was the leaf sight interfering with the weapons optics, said Gay. The sights on the M320 are more user friendly and flexible, increasing the chances of the projectile landing on target with the first shot.The barrel of the M320 is loaded from the side, allowing for longer projectiles with increased velocity. This is different from the M203, which limits the size of projectiles the operator can use, due to the placement of the barrel on the bottom of the weapon system.

“The compact system can be utilized by Marines in smaller areas,” said 1st Lt. Samuel Womack, a platoon commander with 2nd CEB. “This enables targets to be engaged in whatever position the operator needs.”The M320 can engage groups of enemy personnel, vehicles, bunkers, provide suppression and obscuration on objectives, and mark targets to assist in direct fire. From the defense, the M320 allows greater coverage in sectors of fire that direct-fire weapons cannot engage.

“The Marines are out here getting a feel for the M320 and I think that it’s proving to be an effective weapon system,” said Womack. “If these weapon systems can be employed with cohesion, it will enable our Marines to have greater lethality.”

The initial order worth US$810,00  which will is around 623 launchers at the cost of US$1,300 each.

Top photo: US Marine prepares to fire M320 in Camp Lejeune last June 2017 (USMC Photo By: Pfc. Taylor Cooper)