M79 Grenade Launcher

The M79 grenade launcher, also known as 'the Thumper', is a single-shot 40mm grenade launcher which dates back to the Vietnam war era. Despite the design's age, the M79 is still occasionally used in the field, especially by U.S. special operations forces (SOF).

Pictured in use by US SOF in Iraq, the M79 is said to have been preferred by some operators over the M203 underslung launchers then in widespread use. With its longer barrel, the M79 was thought to have better range and accuracy than the M203. For some, having the grenade launcher as a separate weapon was preferable to having it integrated into their primary weapon. The M203 added weight and bulk to their rifle and it was in practice no quicker to transition from using the rifle to the M203 than it was to switch to a M79. The M79's break-open action also allows for longer 40mm rounds to be used than the M203.

A more up-to-date stand-alone launcher, the M320 (in unmounted configuration) has been introduced into U.S. service but has some teething issues.

The M79 can fire a range of rounds

• M406 High-Explosive round (H-E)
  
• M433 High-Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP)
  
• M576 Buckshot
  
• M670 Smoke Canopy
  
• M585 White Star Cluster
  
• M651 Tactical CS Grenade
  
  

The M79 uses a flip-up leaf-type sight and is effective out to 350 meters.

U.S. DoD Photo

Photo illustrating the break-open loading action of the M79. Here it is being loaded with a non-lethal round. The M79 may be used in a riot-control role, firing tear gas, beanbag and other non-lethal rounds.

U.S. DoD Photo

A U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) operator fires a M79 during combat operations in Diwaniyah, Iraq, June 2007.

U.S. DoD photo by Sergeant Rob Summit

Pirate Gun

DEVGRU, aka 'SEAL Team 6', are known to use a modified version of the M79, commonly known as the 'Pirate Gun.' With its sawn-off butt-stock, short barrel and reflex sight the weapon certainly resembles a pirate's flintlock pistol.

A DEVGRU pirate gun covered with camouflage paint and fitted with a lanyard attached to a retention loop in the gun's stock.

M79 Specifications

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