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Cobray 37mm Launcher

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
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Cobray CM203 37mm Launcher

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Early Model CM2037 "IMP" mounted onto M16A1 - 37mm flare. The charging handle is a simple metal pin, later models would have a rubber sleeve placed over it (for cosmetic as well as safety purposes). The trigger guard is simply a bent piece of sheet metal pinned at only one end.
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Updated Model CM203 mounted onto the same M16A1 as before - 37mm flare. In the 1990s Cobray updated their CM203, adding a sturdier curved charging handle, and an M16 Style safety. Also the trigger guard is now screwed in at both ends and is thicker. Later models would have larger mounting blocks and some variants will have mounts designed to attach to RIS rails.
Cobray CM203 mounted to an M4A1 carbine - 37mm flare
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Late Model Cobray CM203, not attached to a rifle - 37mm flare
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Short-barreled Cobray CM203, not attached to a rifle - 37mm flare
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Late model Cobray CM203 37mm Flare launcher underslung on an AR-15 (A1 style receiver) with an early SP1 three-prong flash hider. Visible is the cocking lever on the side. Later models increased the size of the mounting block so that the launcher hung lower, farther away from the rifle barrel.

Cobray Co. (originally of Smyrna GA, but now currently of Westhope, ND) built many smooth bore 37mm Flare launchers that were smooth bore copies of the M203 grenade launcher back in the late 1980s (originally known as the CM2037 IMP). Versions were made by SWD (the predecessor of Cobray) and RPB, as well, but Cobray was the last, and most successful, company to sell the launchers. Throughout the 1990s, several improvements were made in the construction and cocking lever as well as shorter and longer length barrels.

The Cobray CM203 37mm flare launcher is not a grenade launcher per se as it is chambered in the 37mm civilian caliber, which lethal rounds are not manufactured in and which is not compatible with the 40mm military caliber. It can only fire riot control "grenade" rounds such as gas and smoke, purchase of which is usually limited to law enforcement buyers. However, since it looks like an M203 grenade launcher it is commonly standing in for one in the movies on this site. It was built for civilian use as an under slung flare launcher commonly mounted under M16/AR-15s variants and other rifles. It is preferred for most film use over a genuine M203 mainly because, unlike the M203, it is not considered a "Destructive Device" in the U.S. (unless possessed with 37mm direct-fire ammunition such as baton or beanbag rounds, or with a 37mm-to-12-gauge shotgun adaptor) and not subject to NFA regulations. Such weapons are thus more expensive and difficult for film productions to acquire.

The Cobray CM203 37mm flare launcher can be distinguished from the Colt M203 based on the following:

1. The M203 is a 40mm launcher capable of firing multiple purpose rounds, the CM203 is a 37mm launcher built specifically as a flare launcher for civilian use.
2. The CM203 has an M16 style safety switch (on later models), the M203 does not.
3. The CM203 lacks a second safety trigger in the front of the main trigger, which the M203 has.
4. The CM203 Flare launcher's trigger guard is more squared when compared to the M203.
5. The CM203 37mm had an external cocking lever on the side of the receiver, the M203 cocks on closure.

The Cobray 37mm Launcher and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Death Wish V: The Face of Death Henchman Mounted on M16A1 rifle 1994
Cyber Tracker Mounted on HK91A2, Seen in armory 1994
Never Say Die Todd Jensen Agent Mike Roper Mounted on M16 1994
Robin Smith Angel Mounted on visually modified Vektor R5
Crying Freeman Mark Dacascos Yo Hinomura Mounted on M16(SP1) rifle 1995
Major Payne US Marine Mounted on M16A1 rifle 1995
Midnight Man Michael Watson Ilyia Mounted on M16A1 1995
Midnight Man Lorenzo Lamas John Kang Mounted on M16A1 1995
The One That Got Away Sam Halpenny "Legs" Lane attached to M16A1 1996
The One That Got Away Alexander Morton Big Bob attached to M16A1 1996
The One That Got Away Paul McGann Chris Ryan attached to Colt AR-15 Sporter-1 1996
The One That Got Away David Morrissey Andy McNab attached to Colt AR-15 Sporter-1 1996
The One That Got Away Nick Brimble Vince Phillips attached to Colt AR-15 Sporter-1 1996
The One That Got Away Steven Waddington Dinger attached to Colt AR-15 Sporter-1 1996
The One That Got Away Simon Burke Stan attached to Colt AR-15 Sporter-1 1996
The One That Got Away Hannes Muller Mark attached to Colt AR-15 Sporter-1 1996
The Rock Tony Todd Cpt. Darrow Mounted on CAR-15 carbine 1996
The Rock Bokeem Woodbine Sgt. Crisp Mounted on M16A1 rifle 1996
The Rock Rogue recon Marines Mounted on M16(SP1) and M16A1 rifles, with & without weaponlights 1996
Escape from L.A. USPF guards Mounted on FN FAL rifles 1996
The Ultimate Weapon Hulk Hogan Ben Cutter Mounted on M16A1 1998
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money Raymond Cruz Jesús Mounted on M16A1 rifle 1999
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money Muse Watson C.W. Mounted on M16A1 rifle 1999
The General's Daughter Seen in crate, mounted on M16A2 rifle 1999
Black Hawk Down US Army Rangers Mounted on M16A2 rifles 2001
Ticker SFPD SWAT Mounted on Colt Model 723 carbines, with laser pointers 2001
Ticker Terrorists Mounted on Colt Model 723 carbines, with laser pointers 2001
My Science Project John Stockwell Mike Harlan Mounted on M16 rifle 2001
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever Lucy Liu Sever Mounted on M4A1 carbine 2002
Basic Samuel L. Jackson MSG West Mounted on M4A1 carbine, with ACOG scope 2003
Basic Brian Van Holt Ray Dunbar Mounted on M4A1 carbine, with ACOG scope 2003
Basic Cristián de la Fuente Castro Mounted on M4A1 carbine, with ACOG scope 2003
Basic Dash Mihok Mueller Mounted on M4A1 carbine, with ACOG scope 2003
Basic Giovanni Ribisi 2LT Levi Kendell Mounted on M4A1 carbine, with ACOG scope 2003
Hulk US Army soldiers Mounted on M4A1 carbines 2003
Hulk Atheon security guards Mounted on M4A1 carbines 2003
Hulk Atheon security guards Mounted on M249 SAW Paratroopers 2003
Without a Paddle Ethan Suplee Elwood Mounted on M16A1 rifle 2004
Without a Paddle Seth Green Dan Mounted on M16A1 rifle 2004
Jarhead Brian Geraghty Fergus Mounted on M16A2 rifle 2005
Jarhead Peter Sarsgaard Troy Mounted on M16A2 rifle 2005
Jarhead Laz Alonso LCpl. Ramon Escobar Mounted on M16A2 rifle 2005
Jarhead US Marines Mounted on M16A2 rifle 2005
Painkiller Jane US Special Forces soldier Mounted on Colt Model 723 carbine, with Surefire Universal weaponlight 2005
Thank You For Smoking David Koechner Bobby Jay Bliss Mounted on M16A1 rifle 2005
The Marine John Cena John Triton Mounted on M16(SP1) rifle 2006
The Last Sentinel Don 'The Dragon' Wilson Talis Mounted on M4A1 carbine, with Surefire Universal weaponlight and fictional AI scope 2007
The Last Sentinel Katee Sackhoff Girl Mounted on M4A1 carbine, with Surefire Universal weaponlight and fictional AI scope 2007
Shooter Lane Garrison Donnie Fenn Mounted on M4A1 carbine, with AN/PVS-17 night-vision scope 2007
Gamer Gerard Butler Kable Mounted on Heckler & Koch G36C, firing fictional ammo 2009
Watchmen Seen in closet armory 2009
Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling Todd Robinson Overton Mounted on Colt Law Enforcement carbine with ACOG scope, erroneously shown able to fire grappling hooks 2009
Way of War J.K. Simmons Sergeant Mitchell Mounted on M16 SP1 2009
Black & White Episode 1: The Dawn of Assault Secret paramilitary squad 2012
Black & White Episode 1: The Dawn of Assault Mark Chao Ying-xiong Wu 2012

Television

Show Title Actor Character Note / Episode Air Date
Water Rats . Tactical Police Mounted on M16A1 1996-2001
Stargate: SG1 . . Mounted on M16A2s and M4A1s 1997-2007
Seven Days Kieran Mulroney Cpl. Mick Kirkland Mounted on M16A1 / Season 1, Episode 15 "Daddy's Girl" 1998 - 2001
Todd Kimsey Lt. Willis
Gary Dourdan Sgt. Mohmand
Ultimate Force . . Mounted on various M16 and CAR-15 models 2002-2006
Ultimate Force . Various SAS soldiers Mounted on Colt AR-15 SP-1s, M16A2s and mocked up CAR-15s 2002 - 2006
Stargate: Atlantis . . Mounted on M16A2s and M4A1s 2004-2009
E-Ring . U.S. military . 2005-2006
Continuum - Season 1 Luvia Petersen Jasmine Garza Mounted on a Colt Model 715 / "Fast Times" (Episode 2) 2012
Continuum - Season 2 Mounted on a Colt Model 715 / "Split Second" (Episode 2) 2013
Banshee - Season 3 Rus Blackwell Gordon Hopewel Mounted on a Colt Model 933 / Episode 10 2015
True Detective Vince Vaughn Frank Semyon 2015

Video Games

Game Title Mods Notations Release Date
Medal of Honor Mounted on M4A1 2010
Maximum Action Mounted on M16A1 2018


Cobray CM79LF 37mm Launcher

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Cobray M79LF stand alone launcher - 37mm
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Cobray M79LF stand alone launcher (other side) - 37mm

Also an stand alone 37mm launcher was sold with its own pistol grip and folding stock. Since it resembled an updated version of the M79 grenade launcher it was 'unofficially' called the M79L or CM79 or CM79LF, despite the fact that most of Cobrays' receivers simply had the words "37mm launcher" stamped on them. Cobray had been through many ups and downs throughout the years, much of which was created by the unsure business environment brought on by politically motivated legislation.

(Though making the worst shotgun in history, the Cobray Terminator, and one of the worst pistols in history (insofar as the Lady's Home Companion, an eight-pound gun made mostly from Street Sweeper components chambered in .45-70 Government with no foregrip, could be called a pistol) did not exactly help matters)

Since a 37mm flare launcher cannot launch 40mm grenades, it was an uncontrolled item. However, politicians throughout several states have banned using the launcher in conjunction with AR15 rifles or added the launchers to items to be restricted, despite the fact that the devices only resemble destructive devices externally. Like many other items, the device's intimidating appearance prompted bans based solely on its cosmetic details and not based on its function.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Never Say Die A police officer With sighting device 1994
Species Michael Madsen Preston Lennox . 1995
The Rage Tiani Warden Cyndi 1997
Lake Placid Brendan Gleeson Sheriff Keough Custom long barreled version 1999
The Rundown Paul S. Power Martin . 2003
Lake Placid 2 John Schneider Sheriff Riley Customized version made to look like a rotary launcher 2007
Street Kings Seen on the wall in Armory 2008
Black Dynamite Darrel Heath Militant #2 2009

Television

Show Title Actor Character Note / Episode Air Date
Stargate: SG1 Richard Dean Anderson Col. Jack O'Neill Season 5, Episode 4 "The Fifth Man" 2001-2002
Battlestar Galactica Aaron Douglas Chief Tyrol . 2004-2009