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Anyone Here Own An M79 "Thumper"?


atc310r
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I was just wondering if anyone processed one of these grenade launchers? Sadly I have never had the chance to see a real one in person, let alone fire one!

 

I know you can still buy 40mm paint or dummy rounds for these guns, it would love to see a good video of one in action. All the videos on yourtube I have found are not much to look at.....

 

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/5049/m792.th.jpg

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  • 3 weeks later...
I was just wondering if anyone processed one of these grenade launchers? Sadly I have never had the chance to see a real one in person, let alone fire one!

 

I know you can still buy 40mm paint or dummy rounds for these guns, it would love to see a good video of one in action. All the videos on yourtube I have found are not much to look at.....

 

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/5049/m792.th.jpg

 

 

My buddy has a knarr m79 4 sale, for 6500.00

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  • 2 weeks later...
Action Mfg. outta Phildelphia PA. It needs a tune up as its almost as worn and old as me. Sorry, no photos or videos handy (but it looks amazingly like David's TRW). Finding original parts and rounds (besides crappy blue tip M781) is half the fun of ownership. Edited by Waffen Und Bier
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I may be mistaken on this, but if I remember correctly, you could also buy one of those 37mm flare guns in either a M203 or M79 configeration.

 

Jay

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  • 3 weeks later...
I was just wondering if anyone processed one of these grenade launchers? Sadly I have never had the chance to see a real one in person, let alone fire one!

 

I know you can still buy 40mm paint or dummy rounds for these guns, it would love to see a good video of one in action. All the videos on yourtube I have found are not much to look at.....

 

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/5049/m792.th.jpg

I don't own one, but had the opportunity to fire one while on my last ship. I think the other services have long since replaced them with the M203s, but Navy ships still carry M79s (also some M14s and M60s). Sadly, the round expenditure limits for training are rather low, so we don't shoot them very often. They are a very impressive weapon.

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  • 9 years later...

I can't find any information online about a "knarr m79", care to elaborate? http:///default/rolleyes.gif

There are several articles on M79s in SAR, a recent one was only in their sister magazine SADJ (Small Arms Defense Journal)

Most of the M79's in private hands seem to be Kanaar. The GI chalk rounds are becoming rare and expensive $10-$15 per round. However you can load your own.

 

Video of a Kanarr M79

 

6b.jpg

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I may be mistaken on this, but if I remember correctly, you could also buy one of those 37mm flare guns in either a M203 or M79 configeration.

 

Jay

Spike's Tactical makes an accurate 37mm unrestricted copy of the M79 (see recent SAR article) The biggest difference between a real M79 and spikes is the weight. An original M79 has an aluminum barrel, an M79 weighs only 6-pounds , Spikes barrel is steel, total weight is 9.5 pounds.

 

https://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=4145

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QUOTE (atc310r @ Dec 21 2009, 10:44 PM)
I can't find any information online about a "knarr m79", care to elaborate? http://style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

From a SAR article: As was done with the M14 rifle, the M79 was to be designed and placed in limited production at the Springfield Armory, but most of the production was to be awarded to civilian contractors. This caused a lot of animosity between the employees of the Springfield Armory and the government. During 1961, contracts were awarded to private industry for the manufacture of the M79 Grenade Launcher: Contract DA-11-1199-ORD-736, to the Action Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kanarr Corporation. of Kingston, Pennsylvania, DA-l l-199-AMC-715. The Action Manufacturing Company contract was reportedly terminated in December 1965. Another contract DA-11-199-ORD-730 was awarded to the Exotic Metal Products, Pasadena, California. Although Exotic Metal Products is listed in government records as a manufacturer, it is unknown if any M79s were produced by that company. During 1966, a new contract for M79 production was awarded to Thompson-Ramo-Woolridge (TRW).

 

 

 

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I wanted to get an M79 or M203, but because M781 is not available anymore it is no longer on my list, maybe one day, but just cant see myself buying one just to shoot pistol or shotgun rounds from it.

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I wanted to get an M79 or M203, but because M781 is not available anymore it is no longer on my list, maybe one day, but just cant see myself buying one just to shoot pistol or shotgun rounds from it.

You can get a variety of reloadable shells from: reloadableshells.com

You can fire flares, smoke, bird bangers etc.

He also sells the M212 casings that can be loaded with the chalk round cones and zinc pushers.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I got one about 25 years ago. Its tucked away in New Zealand. It reputably came out of Vietnam, not sure how much truth there is to that.

It has a plastic butt with a wooden forend.

I don't recall the manufacturer.

 

Regards

 

AlanD

Sydney

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  • 2 weeks later...

they are cool little guns the 37mm ones are not "exactly" like the originals, but close. I traded some stuff back in the old days for a set of 4 of the originals, one each mfg. the one I kept is below. I thought it bit unusual being an "XM79" and the SN being what it was. Fun to shoot. We had them in the Armory when I was in the Navy, but it was a "special" Armory and not general issue. the "Small boat unit" boys I worked with had cut down ones. I have a couple of M203s as well. Personally the M203 is a tad hard to carry and handles poorly. Last pic is the M203 I had on my "work" gun as needed. Used for Gas, Smoke and sting ball (riot ) rounds. I used the Knight's QD mount and only used the M203 when I knew I would need to.

 

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I am really grateful that this forum got moved over to its own as what once was causing me to not get into 40mm stuff has been smoothed out and now currently awaiting on the ATF to get a new M203. I can't wait. Anyone want to voice their opinion on leaf vs quadrant sights? General opinions and preference as I am torn on which one to get/use. I also found CDVS if you buy in "bulk" it drastically lowers the price per round as another source.

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I don't know that I would get either at this point. I have both, but then got the newer laser/ daylight sight. psq-18 and have that on both the 203 and M79. Not cheap, but state of the art as far as these go. I have a spare for sale. If I had to pick between the two others the leaf sight I think is nicer.

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We called the M79 the "blooper", for the sound it made. Was particularly partial to the M578 buckshot round. Note the sound in the video below, and the very l-o-n-g time of flight.

 

Edited by TSMGguy
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This sight works day and night and has a built in leveling system so that it can fired as long as the lights come on showing you have the proper elevation regardless of the shooters angle etc. and if daylight is low. More gadgets for those who enjoy this stuff. Normally it sits on an m16, but the KAC stuff was handy, then you have an additional set of irons, etc, and a rail.....because it can't be "tactical" without a rail! I also have it adapted to fit on the M79 which brings that current with the addition of a pvs-14 on top. Probably TMI. HTH

20190825_1939131.jpg

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Thanks for the suggestions, I was not aware of these until you mentioned it. You are correct they are not cheap.

 

Been on the hunt for hornet's nest and they too seem to not be as easy to come by or are also pretty expensive to get now.

Edited by Speeddemon02
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