M79
From Warlike
Q482511
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", while British soldiers adopted the "Elephant Gun" moniker. The M79 can fire a wide variety of 40 mm rounds including explosive, anti-personnel, smoke, buckshot, flechette, and illumination. While largely replaced by the M203, the M79 has remained in service in many units worldwide in niche roles.
1953 — 1960
Wikimedia, Wikidata
40 mm grenade launcher M79; M79 grenade launcher; Thump-Gun
length 731 millimetre,
Springfield Armory, United States,
Besozzi, Denel Y3 AGL, F1 grenade, GP-30, grenade launcher, Hawk MM-1, Heckler & Koch AG-C/GLM, Howa Type 96, K201, Milkor MGL, Mk 47 Striker, Model 39 grenade, No. 68 AT Grenade, Northover Projector, Unknown, SB LAG 40, SIG GL 5040, Stielhandgranate, XM25 CDTE,
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Location: KML, Cluster Map, Maps,
| Type | Subtype | Date | Description | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| commons | image | Support battalion puts weapons into right hands DVIDS115384 | Commons | ||
| commons | image | Grenade launcher M79 1 | Commons | ||
| commons | image | BeheadedVCVietnamGIMay1968 | Commons | ||
| commons | image | Sgt. Barry Bergschneider and Senior Airman Shane Rainwater, armed with a GAU-5, M-79, and M-9 weapons and standing in knee-deep water, demonstrate field aggression techniques on Eglin Range DF-ST-94-01981 | Commons | ||
| commons | image | B Company, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry grenadier covered in mud after avoiding sniper fire | Commons | ||
| commons | image | Royal Australian Regiment on sweep in Vietnam | Commons | ||
| commons | image | Company B, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry sergeant pauses to bandage a minor wound | Commons | ||
| commons | image | Son Tay raiders picture | Commons | ||
| commons | image | Vntigerscout | Commons | ||
| commons | image | Company C, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry grenadier | Commons | ||









