M79

History

During World War II, standard infantry used throwing grenades and rifle grenades to clear suspicious enemy positions. These proved to be viable solutions, although the former was limited by throwing range and the latter by range when firing from the muzzle of a service rifle. In the early 1950s, a special grenade delivery solution was being researched. The bulk of the program produced standardized 40x46 grenades, although identifying a viable launcher concept proved elusive. A working prototype "S-3" was developed in 1953 by the famous Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

By the late 1950s, it evolved into the XM79 for formal evaluation at the operational level.

The XM79 is a single-shot sabotage weapon with a wooden stock, an integral wooden grip, and a wooden front end. This is inlaid with the metalwork and barrel required for the action, with a flat, smooth surface. The trigger unit is placed at the action and in front of the grip in the usual way. A front sight was added to the muzzle, while a more useful upturned blade assembly for range finding was added to the front of the center. All the operator has to do is break the breech, insert a 40mm projectile into the breech, close the breech, aim and fire.

The total weight of the loaded gun is a manageable 6.45 lbs, with a manageable empty weight of 6 lbs. With an overall length of 29 inches, it is a relatively compact weapon system. The barrel is 14 inches long.

The M79 proved successful on the world stage, and its use extends beyond the reach of the U.S. Army.

Australia, Brazil, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam and Yemen are just a few of these notable operators. The M79 is "KM79" under the local license.

South Africa's Milcor/Mechem has begun retrofitting the M79 with optical sights and shoulder rests for R-series assault rifles/carbines.

If anything, the M79 certainly proved to be a major milestone in the development of the American under-the-gun grenade launcher. While several recent experimental test machines have seen increased use of the integrated 20mm grenade launcher system, a switch from the 40mm caliber seems unlikely.

The M203 was a system introduced to replace the venerable M79, which itself was replaced by the Heckler & Koch HK M320 series introduced by the US Army.

During its long lifespan, the M79 has acquired colorful nicknames such as "Bloop Tube", "Blooper", "Thumper" and "Thump-Gun". It is still in circulation today (2013) in many of the world's major military powers, and has even been redeployed by US Navy SEALs and other special forces operating in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It is also widely used as a riot weapon around the world.

Springfield Armory is the main brand label associated with the M79, although Action Mfg Company, Daewoo, Exotic Metal Products, Kanarr Corporation and Thompson-Ramo-Woolridge are also involved, bringing global production figures to over 350,000 units listed for U.S.-production unit.

Specification

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Performance

Changes