M79 Grenade Launcher

Loading and firing the M79 Grenade Launcher. The M79 grenade launcher was a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher. The U.S. Army M79 fired a 40x46mm grenade which used the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. The M79 first appeared in combat during the Vietnam War. Because of the distinctive sound, the M79 grenade launcher was nicknamed “Thumper“, “Thump-Gun“, “Bloop Tube“ and “Blooper“ among American soldiers. Australian units called it the “Wombat Gun“. The M79