Beginning in 1971, it was replaced in front-line units by the M203, which attached a grenade launcher to an M16 rifle however, the simpler, more specialized M79 remains in service with militaries around the world and was used by some U.S. Often called the platoon commander’s or squad leader’s artillery piece, the M79 provided vital fire support to units throughout the war. The grenadier would place the butt on the ground, elevate the rear sight to the appropriate range and fire when the blade-sight and rear-sight pictures were properly aligned. The rifled barrel gives the round a right-hand spin, ensuring accuracy and the fuze’s arming downrange.Īlthough intended as a shoulder-fired weapon for direct fire, the M79 was also effective for indirect fire. The gun has a blade sight on the barrel’s tip and a folding-leaf rear sight that can be adjusted for windage or range-in increments of 25 meters (27 yards) out to 375 meters (400 yards). and allied troops, who called it Thumper or Bloop Tube. More accurate, powerful and longer-ranged than rifle grenades, the M79 was popular with U.S. While it had its positives, its drawbacks eventually led to it being replaced by the M203. Resembling a shotgun, it was used by US troops serving in Vietnam during the 1960s. Vietnam’s close-range engagements led to development of the canister, or “buckshot,” round that propelled 20 to 27 pellets to about 30 meters (32 yards). The M79 grenade launcher was known by many names, including the Thumper-Gun and the Bloop Tube Australians even called it the Wombat Gun.
The high-explosive round has an effective casualty radius of 5 meters (5 yards). Two types of fuses are used: the M552, which arms 3 meters (3 yards) from the muzzle and the M551, arming 14 to 28 meters (15 to 30 yards) from the muzzle. That system reduces the recoil forces, enabling the M79 to fire grenades containing 2.5 ounces of high explosives, tear gas, pellets or smoke agents. The pressure then bleeds through small holes into a larger low-pressure chamber to launch the round through the barrel. It gained various nicknames during the Vietnam War due to its distinctive firing sound, these included Thumper or ‘Blooper’ although. Visually it looks like a simple large barrelled saw off shotgun using a break open mechanism. Note the sound in the video below, and the very l-o-n-g time of flight. The M79 Grenade Launcher is a very distinctive and simple weapon which first appeared during the Vietnam War. Was particularly partial to the M578 buckshot round. We called the M79 the 'blooper', for the sound it made. It is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break open grenade launcher which fires an Airsoft 40mm gas grenade first appeared during the Vietnam War. The round burns its propellant charge within a small high-pressure chamber. Interests: Motorcycles, old airplanes, and guns. 1:1 scale 'Pirate Gun' M79 launcher used by US Navy SEALs Rotating trigger guard We are proud to to announce the release of this very nice M79 grenade launcher also know as 'The Thumper' by King Arms. The gun employs the “high-low propulsion system” developed by the Germans in World War II. Arsenal | M79 Grenade Launcher | HistoryNet Closeĭeveloped in the 1950s and entering service in 1961 to replace rifle grenades as an infantry platoon support weapon, the M79 single-shot grenade launcher looks like a large-bore sawed-off shotgun and fires a 40 mm grenade.
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