M79 40mm Grenade Launcher

The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher which fires a 40x46mm grenade which used what the US Army called the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. The M79 first appeared during the Vietnam War. Because of its distinctive report, it earned the nicknames of “Thumper“, “Thump-Gun“, “Bloop Tube“ and “Blooper“ among American soldiers; Australian units referred to it as the “Wombat Gun“. The M79 can fire a wide variety of 40mm rounds, including high explosive, HEDP, smoke, buckshot, flechette, and illumination. While largely replaced by the M203, the M79 has remained in service in many units worldwide in niche roles.