The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action weapon that was developed in the United States in the late 1950s and was first used in the Vietnam War.
It fires a 40×46mm grenade and has a distinctive leaf-sight, wooden stock, and a cylindrical receiver. It uses the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. This system allows for greater accuracy and range than other weapons of its type.
The distinctive report of the M79 has earned it several nicknames among American soldiers such as “Thumper”, “Thump-Gun”, “Bloop Tube”, “Big Ed”, “Elephant Gun,” and “Blooper”.
Australian units have referred to it as the “Wombat Gun” while others have called it the “Can Cannon” in reference to the size of the grenade.
History
The M79 grenade launcher was developed as part of the US Army’s Project Niblick, an effort to increase the firepower of infantrymen with a more accurate and powerful projectile than rifle grenades, but more portable than a mortar.
Two designs were created for the 40 x 46 mm grenade: the three-shot “harmonica” T148 and the single-shot break-open S-3.
The T148 had some limited production and fielding in Vietnam, but problems with its magazine prevented widespread acceptance.
The S-3 was refined into the S-5, which resembled an oversized single-barrel shotgun, and this design was adopted as the XM79 by the Army.
The XM79 proved to be a reliable and effective weapon for infantrymen in Vietnam, providing them with increased range and accuracy compared to rifle grenades. It could fire up to six rounds per minute at ranges of up to 400 meters, making it a valuable asset in combat situations.
Its simple design also made it easy to maintain in field conditions, ensuring that it remained an important part of infantry tactics throughout the war.
After the Vietnam War, the M79 continued to be used by the U.S. military and various other military forces around the world. Despite its relatively simple design, the M79 was highly valued for its versatility and reliability.
Design
The M79 grenade launcher is a simple yet effective design. Visually, it resembles a large bore, break-action, sawed-off shotgun and consists of only five major parts: a receiver group, fore-end assembly, barrel group, sight assembly and stock.
The fore-end assembly beds the barrel to the receiver while the stock is made out of either wood or fiberglass. A rubber pad attached to the buttstock helps absorb some of the recoil when firing. The front sight is a fixed blade while the rear sight is a folding ladder–style leaf sight.
This design has been used by militaries around the world for decades due to its reliability and ease of use. It can be used in both offensive and defensive situations with great accuracy and range. Its simplicity also makes it easy to maintain and repair if necessary.
It has a 14 inch barrel and weighs 6.45lbs when loaded and 5.95lbs when unloaded. The M79 is capable of firing 40x46mm grenades at a rate of 6 rounds per minute with an effective range of 350 meters. This makes it an ideal weapon for close quarters combat and can be used to provide support fire from a distance.
All in all, the M79 grenade launcher is an incredibly effective weapon that has stood the test of time due to its reliable design.
Ammunition
Ammunition for the M79 grenade launcher come in a variety of types, each designed to meet different needs.
The most common type is explosive rounds, which are used to cause damage to structures or personnel.
Close-range rounds are designed to be fired at short distances and are effective against soft targets such as personnel.
Non-lethal crowd control rounds can be used to disperse crowds without causing serious injury or death.
Additionally, smoke and illumination rounds can be used for signaling or obscuring an area from view.
The break-open action of the M79 allows it to use longer rounds. This makes it possible for the M79 to fire more powerful ammunition than its counterpart, giving it greater range and accuracy when firing explosive rounds.
Furthermore, this feature also allows for a wider variety of ammunition types to be used with the M79, making it a versatile weapon system capable of meeting a wide range of tactical needs.
Explosives
The M406 40 mm HE (high explosive) grenades are an incredibly powerful weapon. Fired from the M79, these grenades travel at a muzzle velocity of 75 meters per second and contain enough explosive to produce over 300 fragments that travel at 1,524 meters per second within a lethal radius of 5 meters.
This round incorporates a spin-activation safety feature which prevents the grenade from arming while still within range of the shooter; it arms itself after traveling a distance of about 14–27 meters. This ensures that the grenade does not arm at point blank ranges and usually does not have enough kinetic energy to kill, although it sometimes penetrates the abdomen or causes large hematomas.
The M406 40 mm HE grenade is an incredibly effective weapon for close quarters combat due to its high explosive power and relatively safe activation system. The spin-activation safety feature allows for greater accuracy when firing as it prevents accidental detonation in close proximity to the shooter. Additionally, its high fragmentation rate makes it particularly deadly against enemy personnel in close quarters combat scenarios. Its ability to penetrate soft tissue also makes it useful for incapacitating targets without necessarily killing them outright.
Close Range
Close range fighting requires specialized ammunition to ensure maximum effectiveness. The M79 grenade launcher was developed with two types of rounds specifically designed for close range combat.
The first round, known as the flechette or Bee Hive round, fired 45 10-grain steel flechettes. While this type of round had the potential to be highly effective, it often failed to penetrate its target due to the flechettes hitting sideways and bouncing off instead of point-first. As a result, this type of round was replaced in 1966 by the 17 grain slug round. This new round was much more effective at penetrating targets and proved to be a reliable choice for close range combat.
The 17 grain slug round is composed of a single solid projectile that is capable of delivering significant damage at close range. It has an effective range of up to 100 meters and can penetrate up to 8mm thick steel plates at distances up to 50 meters away. This makes it an ideal choice for close quarters combat where accuracy and penetration are essential for success.
Additionally, the 17 grain slug round has proven itself in many battlefield scenarios and continues to be used today by militaries around the world.
In conclusion, the M79 grenade launcher is a versatile and reliable weapon that has been used by military and law enforcement organizations for many years. Developed in the late 1950s, the M79 was widely used during the Vietnam War and has continued to be used in various roles since then. Despite its relatively simple design, the M79’s versatility and reliability have made it a favorite among soldiers and law enforcement personnel for many years. With its distinctive leaf-sight, wooden stock, and cylindrical receiver, the M79 remains a recognizable and highly valued weapon today.
