Origin: United States
Year: 1961
Type: Grenade launcher
Weight: 2.7 kg (5.95 lb) empty
Length: 73.1 cm (28.78 in)
Barrel length: 35.7 cm (14 in)
Caliber: 40x46mm

Being introduced in US Army service in 1961, the M79 grenade launcher arrived just in time to provide much needed firepower to American troops during the Vietnam War. Its light weight and portability combined with the explosive power of its grenade made it a popular weapon with the troops, earning such nicknames as “Thumper” and “Blooper.” Despite its benefits, the M79 was far from perfect. The M79’s single shot design limited its rate of fire. The fact that it was a stand-alone weapon also meant that the soldier issued one was solely a grenadier and, thanks to minimum arming distance and fragmentation range of the grenade, had to rely on his sidearm should he need to engage a threat at close range. Eventually the M79 was replaced with launchers mounted under the barrel of a soldier’s rifle such as the M203; however, the M79 continues to see service around the world including in the hands of American forces in Iraq.