Also known as the Blooper or Thumper.
First used during the
Vietnam war by
infantry soldiers
when
mortars were not available and the target was out of the throwing range of a
hand grenade. The M-79 was essentially a large break open single fire
shotgun,
The two most popular
ammo types were:
An
HE round with a lethal radius on detonation of about 5 meters and an anti-personnel
flechette or
buckshot round. A very simple, deadly and reliable
weapon.
Specifications:
- System of operation: Single shot, break barrel.
- Caliber: 40mm
- Length: 737mm
- Weight: (loaded) 3Kg
- Length of barrel: 355mm
- Max range: 400 meters
- Muzzle Velocity: 75 meters per second.
specifications from:
http://www.diddybop.demon.co.uk/blooper.htm