37mm launcher

queeksdraw

September 21, 2002 10:58

Following a link on one of the topics I saw a product that was called a thummper presumeably used for smoke bombs, this thing looks like a gun I am/was familier with called the blooper or the M-74 could this be the same thing or am I letting my imagination run away with me

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  mark christian

  September 21, 2002 11:28

  These "Thumpers" are pretty close in appearence to the old M79 grenade launchers, but not nearly as well made. They are sold as flare guns, smoke launchers, or for signaling and while a live M79 grenade launcher is a Destructive Device and subject to the National Firearms Act, the "thumpers" are exempt due to the use of the 37mm flare rounds.
  Lots of vets that I've spoken to really loved those M79's and they were very accurate in the hands of a trained grenadier. The problem was that the man armed with a 7 pound M79 really could not carry any other weapon with him, except perhaps a pistol, and if the combat situation did not call for a grenade, he was just along for the ride. That is what prompted the military to develope the M203 launcher, whcih mounts under the M16.
  A live M79 grenade launcher on todays market would cost well in excess of $2000. Just a stripped frame is about $1000. There are adaptors available to allow the use of low cost 37mm flares to be fired from live M79 launchers as well as 12 ga. shotgun adaptors.
  
  Mark T. Christian
  
  Edited by - mark christian on 09/21/2002 18:31:58

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  queeksdraw

  September 21, 2002 13:40

  Thanks for the info Mark. My mistake on the nomenclature. I guess it's been quite a few years.

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