Yesterday I picked up a new toy, an Echo1 SAL (Stand Alone Launcher) and it’s pretty damn cool!  It’s a force multiplier type weapon and can fire a single 40mm airsoft grenade round. The complete package weighs in at ~ 1 kg and is  The Echo1 SAL looks like a rough copy of the GB Tech M203 Masterkey Standalone Buttstock Module.

As you can see there are two components to the Echo1 SAL, a RIS mounted M203 grenade launcher and the frame itself. The SAL frame is made entirely of plastic (Echo1 says it’s high density polymer whatever that really means) as is the frame of the M203 RIS grenade launcher but the barrel assembly is metal. There’s a 20mm rail on the top for mounting optics or the M203 leaf sight.

The Echo1 SAL function like a regular M203 grenade launcher; you pull the trigger, the shell fires and then it needs to be replaced. The M203 should work with all 40mm grenades on the market though I’ve only tested them with CA 165 round and Madbull XM108HP grenades and they work flawlessly.

If you want to remove the M203 grenade launcher and mount it on another weapon that’s a breeze, undo the two RIS knobs and viola it’s off and free to mount on any railed weapon.

If you do not like Echo1 M203 grenade launchers (like if you want something with a metal frame and real weight for instance), the 20mm rail on the inside can accommodate any M203 as long as it’s rail mounted. I don’t think the Madbull XM203 series are compatible with the Echo1 SAL frame but I do not have one to test with.

On the rear there is a M4 “LE style” collapsible butt stock which makes aiming a breeze. The stock and buffer tube can be removed (like how you do with a regular airsoft M4A1) and the Echo1 SAL can be wielded like a pistol but I personally like the feel of a stock. 😉

Overall the look and feel of the Echo1 SAL is pretty good though I did not like the sharp edges around the pistol grip area…

The edges are quite sharp and can be uncomfortable to hold if you’re drawing the weapon quickly, I certainly hope Echo1 rounds and smooths this part out in future models. Next I would have liked to see side rails (for a quadrant sight perhaps) and a sling mount near the front so you can use a 2/3 point sling.  A single point sling will leave the weapon dangling which can make things a bit awkward when you’re trying to move around.

I have yet to battle test the Echo1 SAL but having used other grenade launchers in games I can’t wait to use this in a CQB situation. It feels pretty darn good and as usual when there are updates I will pass them along. 🙂