grenade launcher

A grenade launcher is a weapon designed to extend the range of grenades beyond what can be achieved by hand-throwing. While early attempts in World War I involved rifle attachments that increased range but lacked accuracy, the 1950s saw the development of effective shoulder-fired grenade launchers.12

One notable example is the M79, developed in the 1950s, which could launch a 40-mm grenade up to 400 yards. This filled the gap between hand-thrown grenades and mortar ranges. The M79 utilized a "high-low pressure system" to moderate the gas pressure upon firing, allowing for adequate velocity and acceptable recoil. Production of the M79 ceased in favor of launcher attachments for rifles like the M16.2