"M79 Grenade Launcher load out." Topic

I'm sulking today, I need to do a real scale M79 man and horror of horrors it cant be fired without support from prone; well at least it's not a standard test for marksmanship. So I will have to do a kneeling pose, always more of a faff.

Anyway that's beside the point, looking at the test made me wounder how many rounds roughly would an M79 grenadier carry? The manual is not helpful at all on this issue.

PDF link

A dedicated grenadier would have a grenade vest holding 24 rounds of ammo.

Who in the world told you that an M79 can't be fired from the prone position? The FM you posted even specifically says it can be fired from the prone position.

79thPA The test is for prone supported not unsupported. So I assume that is not a preferred position to fire it. 24 rounds is a good load at 13oz a round!

I am not going to argue with you, nor can I make you believe what you are apparently determined not to believe.

Don't forget the odd bandoleer or another bandoleer or three in the rucksack, not to mention the other members of the section happily dumping their bandoleers of rounds off to you at the drop of a hat.

Doubling that two dozen happens pretty quickly.
Especially if it is a dedicated M79 stand alone, rather than being carried in addition to a rifle or as a combination as a M203 under a regular rifle.

I think the old Vietnam Era cotton bandoliers held six. Does that sound right? You could fill an empty claymore bag full of extra rounds as well.

The test is for prone supported not unsupported. So I assume that is not a preferred position to fire it.

The purpose of a marksmanship test is to (ahem) test marksmanship, not necessarily to simulate most typical firing conditions. I have never fired an M79, but I presume that it is more challenging to fire on a kneeling position, having a bit of a recoil. So if a person can fire it effectively in a kneeling position, he can then most likely also fire it effectively from a prone position – so rather than doing tests in both positions, it would be more straightforward to just test the more challenging position. Actual training probably also included other firing positions.

24 rounds is a good load at 13oz a round!

It is, but under combat conditions those 24 rounds can be easily fired in less than 10 minutes. That said, the M79 itself is not particularly heavy, though the operator might also want to carry a handgun (and a few magazines) for close in personal defense for added weight.

When in a defensive position, the grenadier might also want to stack one or two dozen extra rounds in a safe spot in his foxhole, and in a firefight use these first before moving to those on his person.

I think the old Vietnam Era cotton bandoliers held six.

That is also what a source that I checked recently stated.

Another issue is that besides the ever popular HE round, there were a number of special rounds that could be useful under certain conditions, for example:

- illumination flares would be useful under night time conditions
- smoke rounds would be useful to blind the enemy when assaulting positions, though coloured smoke rounds could also be used to mark specific positions
- HEAT (or is it HEDP) rounds would provide defense against light armoured vehicles
- and if I remember correctly, there was some round that could turn the weapon into a giant shotgun (probably most useful in jungle conditions or elsewhere with limited visibility)

Not sure if the manuals state anything about typical loads for these kind of rounds, but I presume usually at least 75 % of rounds carried would be HE.

M576, 20x buckshot rounds in a nice little package. I'll bet it packed a punch, in both directions.

tpub.com/maa/94.htm

Firing

When the launcher is fired, you must be in either a standing or prone position. In the standing position, the butt is placed against the shoulder. In the prone position, the butt is placed against the ground. (See figures 8-43 and 8-44.)

Figure 8-44.-Firing the M79 from the prone position.

Butt on the ground is indurect fire for targets over 150 meters (I believe). Direct fire at less than 150 meters is butt stock on shoulder, like any other long arm.

Andy ONeill you are a star, an actual drawing! 79thPA obviously an apology is offered. But is interesting the manual I referenced did not have this picture??**??. mind you I have seen errors in current manuals. If we could have found a place to report them we would have done but they are obviously not open to feedback.

Thank you, UshCha. I disagree with you on a lot of things, but I would not steer you wrong if I am in a position to assist.

Here are some more drawings.

link

79thPA Even better picture, mind you now I have to spend ages lying on the round holding a stick so I can work out how to post by figure. I think the high angle pose will be the best prone as it will be more distinctive.

Thanks

In that scale, you are correct. It would be a good visual cue what the figure represents.

I have carried and fired an M79. You can fire it from the prone. And you can dig the butt into the ground and angle it up while looking through the leaf site in a supported position. ( a little bit different than a rifle prone supported).

As far as how many round you carry, well, as as many as you can.

I recall firing it at a range of about 150 yards. I held the stock under my armpit to be able to elevate enough to use the sights. It was very accurate as I put multiple rounds through the side engine hatch of an old LVTP-4.

In the early 1970's the squad leader had the blooper.

The grenadier vest has pockets for 20 grenades on the front of the vest. There is also a belt that holds 6 rounds. You could get Rifleman to carry extra rounds just like they carry extra MG belt ammo and mortar rounds. We don't call them Grunts for nothing!

Wolfhag