M79 grenade launcher
The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher that fires a 40×46mm grenade, which uses what the US Army calls the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low, and first appeared during the Vietnam War. Its distinctive report has earned it colorful nicknames, such as "Thumper", "Thump-Gun", "Bloop Tube", "Big Ed", "Elephant Gun", and "Blooper" among American soldiers as well as "Can Cannon" in reference to the grenade size; Australian units referred to it as the "Wombat Gun". The M79 can fire a wide variety of 40 mm rounds, including explosive, anti-personnel, smoke, buckshot, flechette (pointed steel projectiles with a vaned tail for stable flight), and illumination. While largely replaced by the M203, the M79 has remained in service in many units worldwide in niche roles.
| Launcher, Grenade, 40 mm, M79 | |
|---|---|
M79 with the leaf-type sights unfolded. | |
| Type | Grenade launcher |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1961–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Vietnam War Cambodian Civil War Laotian Civil War Dominican Civil War Communist Insurgency War The Troubles Operation Marajoara Lebanese Civil War Sino-Vietnamese War Salvadoran Civil War Falklands War Bougainville Civil War Afghan War Iraq War Cambodian–Thai border dispute 2010 Burma border clashes Syrian Civil War Battle of Marawi |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Springfield Armory |
| Designed | 1953–1960 |
| Manufacturer | Springfield Armory, Action Manufacturing Company, Kanarr Corporation, and Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge |
| Produced | 1961–1971 (U.S.) |
| No. built | 350,000 (U.S. only) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.93 kg (6.45 lb) loaded 2.7 kg (5.95 lb) empty |
| Length | 73.1 cm (28.78 in) |
| Barrel length | 36.83 cm (14.5 in) |
| Cartridge | 40×46mm grenade |
| Action | Break-action |
| Rate of fire | Depends on the speed of the operator |
| Muzzle velocity | 76 m/s (247 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 350 m (383 yd) |
| Maximum firing range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Feed system | Breech-loaded |
| Sights | Blade and leaf type |