When the M79 grenade launcher was developed within the Sixties, it obtained excessive suggestions. Some liked it, and people who completely despised utilizing it.
First of its Kind
The journey of the M79 grenade launcher started after World Conflict II and lasted by way of the Korean Conflict a number of years later. Then, the US Army determined that its common rifle grenades have been inadequate for general-purpose hearth help. As well as, these normal rifle grenades weren’t aggressive in comparison with different rifle grenades, plus they have been very gradual to launch.
Consequently, the US Army began Mission Niblick. It tried to extend firepower by way of an explosive projectile extra correct than rifle grenades with a distinct vary and extra moveable than a mortar. In 1952, they have been in a position to determine by way of the challenge {that a} spherical 40 mm projectile with an explosive cost can be essentially the most ideally suited to do the duty. Furthermore, they found {that a} cylindrical 40 mm shell with a rounded nostril labored finest. The spherical nostril allowed it to carry a bigger quantity of explosives and had significantly better ballistics. Moreover, it was decided that the 40 mm grenades wanted to be fired from the unitary cartridge utilizing a low-pressure cost.
Springfield Armory was tapped to provide the weapons, and the result’s this single-shot, shoulder-fire, break-action grenade launcher, the primary of its sort. It’s chambered to fireside 40 x 46 mm rounds to maintain recoil forces low. Totally different variants of its 40 mm rounds have been produced. Right here’s a partial itemizing:
- M381 HE (Excessive Explosive) spherical
- M382 TP (Coaching Observe)
- M406 HE spherical
- The M433 HEDP (Excessive Explosive Twin Function) spherical
- M433 spherical
- M576 Buckshot spherical
- M662 Illumination spherical
- M992 Infrared Illumination spherical
- The M531 less-lethal crowd management spherical (disperses tear fuel)
- M1006 less-lethal spherical (fires a foam rubber projectile)
- The M1029 less-lethal spherical (loaded with 48 onerous rubber .48 caliber balls)
Vietnam Conflict
Utilized by the US Army Marines in the course of the Vietnam Conflict, M79 was efficient in opposition to the Viet Cong bunkers and fortified constructions. Nonetheless, its single-shot capabilities have been removed from spectacular.
M79 noticed its first fight use in the course of the Vietnam Conflict. There have been numerous newly-introduced US weapons, just like the M16. Nonetheless, the M79 stood out with its reliability, effectiveness, and skill to take down enemies. It allowed the US and South Vietnamese forces to outpace Viet Cong’s commando mortars, rifle grenades, recoilless rifles, and rocket launchers. These weapons have been cumbersome and rendered ineffective within the thick Vietnamese jungles and forests.
With that, the M79 turned one of the vital important and influential weapons for the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and its allies. Because it was the primary of its type, its effectiveness justified the significance of grenade launchers. Consequently, it’s now a weapon utilized by nearly all of the army forces worldwide. Some nations that use the grenade launcher are Australia, Brazil, CambodiaSouth Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the US, Vietnam, and Yemen.
Within the US, a lot of the M79s have been phased out after it was changed by the M203 (extra about it later). Though, they’re nonetheless being issued and used often, a proof of their glorious efficiency regardless of their age.
Professionals and Cons
Like another weapon, there are issues to like and hate concerning the M79. First, it was identical to a shotgun, so utilizing the gun was easy. Its high-low propulsion system decreased recoil and enabled customers to launch a grenade at as much as 400 yards, farther than a hand grenade. The shooters might additionally precisely intention at their goal utilizing the rifled barrel.
That meant the troops utilizing the M79 would want a backup weapon. As well as, it was single-shot and needed to be reloaded manually. This restricted its capacity to keep up a continuing quantity and charge of fireside throughout fight.
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In 1971, the M79 was changed by the M203 underslung launcher, which used the usual M16 rifle as an alternative. Even so, some followers within the US Special Forces nonetheless favor it as a result of its larger accuracy than the brand new M203.
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