S-Thunder M203 Shell Review

Hey CQB Radio fans,

Right now you are reading a review of the new S-Thunder M203 shell. I received this directly from S-Thunder for review and it's a pretty interesting set-up for an M203 shell.

First off, let's take a look at the stock photo of one of these shells:

THE BASIC INFO
These guys are made to hold airsoft BBs, paint balls, powder balls, pepper balls, and just powder as well. Clearly, you can tell that they offer you a pretty diverse array of uses.

What makes these shells so unique is the way they are loaded. Unlike most M203 shells where you have a bunch of airsoft bb-sized holes in the top, this one has a larger 3/4 inch hole. In most M203s, you are jamming BBs down the holes, gassing up the shell, and then shooting it.

With the S-Thunder shell, you simply pour BBs into the hole and then you pop on one of the red "plugs". Gas it up and you're ready to go.

Here it is in the package:

You'd generally use green gas with this shell, but you can also use propane (just be sure to keep it well lubricated), AND you can also use higher-powered gas if you buy the Higher Power Replacement Core (not included). The filling port is on the bottom, which is slightly different than most M203 shells where you'd fill them on the top.

Take a look at it here with a red plug inserted:

FUNCTION
Most people use M203s in a CQB situation or in an outdoor situation that allows for closer engagements (a MOUT site, for example). I tested this shell outside and found that the BBs landed between 35 and 55 feet, about average for a 203 shell. They do have a slightly louder report than most other shells, so they'll get some attention when you shoot them. The refilling process is really simple - you pour in BBs or you load them in with a speed loader, and I'd say it takes about 1/4 of the time of most other shells.

The upside of this guy is also a slight downside. If you are in the heat of a firefight and you can't stop to look for your red plug, you'll need to carry extras and once you're out of them, you'll need to order more. Not a huge deal, but something to be aware of if you purchase one of these.

OVERALL
I'd say that overall, these are a pretty cool shell - pretty good range, nice report, accuracy is good, and very easy to reload. Be aware of needing to get more plugs (or finding them after you fire the shell), and you'll be all set.

If you're interested in learning more, check out http://www.s-thunder.com/.

Thanks for reading, and keep on firin',
Carp