The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher that fires a 40x46mm grenade which uses what the US Army calls the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low, and first appeared during the Vietnam War. Because of its distinctive report, it has 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 40 mm rounds, including explosive, anti-personnel, smoke, buckshot, flechette, and illumination. While largely replaced by the M203, the M79 has remained in service in many units worldwide in niche roles.
The M79 is easy to operate. To load, the grenadier pushes the barrel locking latch on the receiver group to the right. Gravity will pull down the barrel, breaking it open, and exposing the breech. The hammer is cocked when the breech is opened. A round then may be loaded. The break action must then be closed manually. Closing the breech will cause the barrel locking latch to return to center. The safety must then be pushed to the forward position in order to ready the weapon for firing.
In Project Reality, the M79 is a primary weapon for the ARF, USA(Vietnam), USMC(Vietnam), Argentina, and British grenadier kits. It is able to fire buckshot, HE explosive, or smoke.
Variants[]
- Buckshot
- Replicates a buckshot from a shotgun, firing several small metal balls at the same time
- Limited range of effectiveness, only for use in direct combat
- HE Explosive
- Creates a large explosion
- Higher range than the barrel mounted launchers makes it an optimal choice for indirect fire, in exchange the M79 has a longer reload time.
- Smoke
- Covers the area with a cloud of smoke
Media[]
Trivia[]
- The M79 is the only grenade launcher in PR that is capable of firing the 40mm buckshot round