M79: The Iconic "Bloop Tube" 40mm Grenade Launcher

[@misterthegeoff9767]

The US Military just love their shotguns. Even when they make a grenade launcher they still make it a shotgun.

[@HurremDurrem]

Yes.

[@Wildcat425B]

Who doesn't love a good shotgun?

[@adamwest8711]

Joe Biden endorses the support of shotguns. You don’t need a machine gun. You don’t need 30 rounds. Buy a shotgun baby.

[@ghidorbruh7140]

Army: "Alright, DOD, did you make that grenade launcher like we asked?" DOD: "Yes!" Army: *Looks at the M79* ".... You made another shotgun, didn't you?" DOD: "Sure did!"

[@Sergeant1127]

Hey we turned our 120mm armed MBTs into giant shotguns.

[@PotentialHistory]

I first read this as "The Iconic Noob Tube" and couldn't believe the crossover reference, before I realized I was just dumb instead.

[@tacticalgreengecko7369]

Dude how've you been I swear I was just thinking about your channel yesterday.

[@prd6617]

nice to see u here, when the next vid?

[@michelangelangelo7091]

Neeeeeeeerd NEEEEEEEEEERD anyways please upload more

[@creativeusername2547]

ay

[@g.bergervoet4505]

*sees check mark* NeVeR eXpEcTeD yOu HeRe

[@Gunbudder]

The M79 has so many nicknames. One of my friends has a video of him using a M79 (he called it the "blooper") in vietnam. Apparantly someone was filming his unit when they were attacking a building full of enemy soldiers. The cameraman got a shot of my friend shooting a grenade into a window high up on the building (2nd or 3rd story), the grenade goes off, and a body flies back out the window. The crazy thing is that my friend didn't know he was being filmed, and found the footage while watching history channel. It was like "Hey, that guy looks like me. Hey, that IS me!"

[@tinman96]

Happen to know the name of the documentary/series?

[@jiayou1534]

I'd like to know the name of the documentary too.

[@vitis65]

3 story building? Sounds like the Tet offensive. Otherwise doubt US troops in Nam saw much combat where multistory buildings were involved.

[@raymondhess7851]

where can I watch?

[@nellyprice]

Nice story. Without the reference though stays a story sorry

[@bizzlesnach]

We had an 'incident' in the persian gulf on a MEU in the mid 90's and everyone on the ship was scrambling at the armory to get armed up. As a marine I had no idea what the navy actually had, so I was both shocked and enthralled when they started handing out M79 launchers through the armory window to sailors. I was like 'whoahhh' and I suddenly heard a half dozen vietnam era CCR songs in my head. I was jealous of the navy that day.

[@Hawk1966]

I was thinking 'White Rabbit' "one pill makes you small. . ." Very, very small, chunks.

[@RevBoose]

@@Hawk1966 Chunky salsa!

[@13infbatt]

Shits getting real when CCR starts playing....

[@IronReece13]

We also are the only ones still using a M14 variant

[@bizzlesnach]

@@IronReece13 I saw a guy get hit with that lead for the mooring lines they shoot from the M14 to pull the ship into the dock... I think it was Kenya? I heard it killed the guy, either way he was folded up bad like a Beetle Bailey comic

[@fien111]

Ian just casually busting out one of the only China Lake launchers at the end, cause that's how he do

[@imadrifter]

I ended it 9 seconds early, and first read your comment as a joke, then reread it and Oh My Sweet Baby Jesus its a China Lake!

[@404Dannyboy]

He isn't called gun Jesus for nothing.

[@inkland3692]

Not a china lake😒

[@thralldumehammer]

He's got a video on the China Lake!

[@leonardwilliams8109]

I went through Infantry school at Ft. Lewis, Washington at the beginning of 1968. We trained on the M79, each of us getting to fire three rounds at a pillbox aperture. We were told not to wrap our thumb around the stock when firing. I never fired one again because I was sent to an armor unit (C 3-35 Armor) in Germany. Can't remember why they told us that. Does anyone remember hearing the explanation for that instruction? Great video, and it was easy to be accurate quickly with the M79.

[@KMEECHY]

Only Ian would do a video about the M79 whilst hiding a china lake on his lap the entire video.

[@sassycrusader3439]

Fucking spoilers

[@NineteenInFrench]

@@sassycrusader3439 Are you surprised? Cuz we sure as hell weren't.

[@koalabrownie]

The entire video? So you didn't notice the very obvious cross-dissolve at 14:38 ?

[@lionheart1234]

China lake??? 🤔

[@jehoiakimelidoronila5450]

You can't forget china lake if you're mentioning m79 (i.e.: the "thumper").

[@rayp.8364]

"There's two parts to the gun: the bloop, and the tube"

[@impofan6915]

and what happens when you combine them together?

[@rayp.8364]

@@impofan6915 kaboom..?

[@teetster]

@@impofan6915 blooptube

[@Sleygar]

@@rayp.8364 Yes rico.

[@gustavgnoettgen]

This is a blooptube. It tubes bloopen.

[@Ben.....]

Ian usually doesn't tease his videos, but when he does he is excited.

[@ጭስዋሪማና]

Aroused

[@georgehartwig1865]

When I carried the blooper on night patrols I inserted a bee hive round which had a multitude of tiny arrows for close range in counters. The M-79 was a great weapon.

[@safriedrich1631]

wow, I'm old school ( USMC 1971-74) and never knew the M79 had a flechette round ! I only saw them with arty and 106's.. thanks for that info... good to know.

[@Aqueox]

@@safriedrich1631Yup. Bloopers did and so did y’all’s Cobra-copters. Big flechette rockets that would pop orange smoke after detonating at a certain distance. Basically an airburst rocket. I’m only 24, never was in the service. Always loved military and political history/affairs though. I got to see them “in action” on a video from OperatorDrewski a couple months ago. Just look up that name along with the terms “Arma 3” and “Vietnam” and it should pop up. My conclusion is that I’d hate to be on the receiving end of it. 😂

[@bloodwrage]

in counters

[@PJA264]

I really wish I had Ian's dark and mysterious ability to summon rare and exotic weapons from his crotch.

[@thishonestgrifter]

They are all his children

[@walterwhite8477]

@@thishonestgrifter 🤣

[@glimpyrimpy6258]

Umm

[@dutchplanderlinde4845]

“Is that a China Lake grenade launcher in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”

[@23Scadu]

I have that ability, but only with guns, not rifles.

[@thatstahlhelmwehrmachtguy9605]

WHAT MAKES ME A GOOD DEMOMAN ?!

[@sillylittleowlguy2392]

IF I WERE A BAD DEMOMAN, I WOULDNT BE SITTIN' HERE, DISCUSSIN' IT WITH YA NOW WOULD I?

[@ksfallenangel5770]

@@sillylittleowlguy2392 One crossed wire, one wayward pinch of potassium chlorate, one errant twitch, and KA-BLOOIE!

[@michelangelangelo7091]

@@ksfallenangel5770 i've got a manky eye I'm a black scottish cyclops The got more fecking sea monsters in the Great Lochness that they've got the likes of me

[@animanera89]

FREEEEEDOOOOOOM!

[@wraithcadmus]

Arguably his weapon is closer to the Milkor M32, which Ian also has a video on.

[@peteraustin9057]

"They experimented with multi barrel versions" so what you're saying is that somewhere in a long forgotten basement in a forlorn government warehouse there exists a real life loch and load from tf2?

[@yegorgribenuke6853]

We raided the wrong area

[@naptime_2390]

i guess the military found a lack of dispensers needing to be taken care of on the battlefield

[@peppermillers8361]

Yes

[@spoi525]

2barrels and 3shots, a miricle of science

[@peteraustin9057]

@@spoi525 correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't it originally only have 2 shots, and then they buffed it?

[@hateWinVista]

When your personal entry code doesn't work: "Let me try mine."

[@Howlrunner82]

I see what u did here

[@_scyas_1827]

'' Human Casualties : 0.0 ''

[@SilverWolfM200LDH]

I love that:) well done.

[@silverback7133]

A wall is just a door with a different type of key.

[@SilverWolfM200LDH]

@@silverback7133 I love it.

[@todesgeber]

"From Bloop to Brrt" Ian can use that for his next book title.

[@karstenalbers2255]

wasn't this also called a thumper?

[@todesgeber]

@@karstenalbers2255 i actually don't know...i wouldn't be surprised. i know if i had to carry an m79 i'd name it Thumper.

[@karstenalbers2255]

@@todesgeber Had to? sir I would consider it an honor to have one lol! cant wait for the china lake too

[@adamshinoda]

@@karstenalbers2255 yep, this is Thumper.

[@MattParkent]

My father was a Combat Engineer in Vietnam. He had the standard M16, the standard .45 1911, and one of these. He never fired it except at the range, which he claimed was some of the most fun he had ever had.

[@alybanez5731]

Best weapon to defend a bridge outpost while stoned outta your mind. RIP Roach

[@vtbmwbiker]

Kudos for the Apocalypse Now reference. "You stepped on my face!" "I thought you were dead!" "You thought wrong, damnit!"

[@MongooseTacticool]

"Hey soldier, who's in command here?"

[@sgtvarenuha_viii_leg]

That Charlie was talking too much about GI

[@peterbenson2185]

@@MongooseTacticool "AINT YOU ? ? ?"

[@UTubeHandlesSuck]

@@peterbenson2185 "He's close, man. He's reeeeeeal close."

[@thebeyondwordser]

"Hey soldier, do you know who's in command here?" "Yeah"

[@sexualrenegade]

“go get the Roach!”

[@RainytheNB]

I would like the comment but it’s at 179

[@victorwaddell6530]

Phuq Yu GI !

[@oldguyofarizona8602]

I got somthin fo yo ass now!

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

@@victorwaddell6530 F*** you GI! F*** you GI! *Roach aims and fires off a round. Boom!* Silence... ^_^

[@benpeltola1364]

Ian's pull-out-from-under-the-table game is *too* strong.

[@NerdyGardevoir]

“Ah, yes! The grenade rifle! Right arm of the free world!” -Everyone’s favorite small arms repair specialist, Zack

[@Totem4285]

I understood that reference

[@SkyNinja759]

Zack, the army man that mounted a M320 grenade launcher on his rifle. Even though he never left the base, just because "I thought it would be cool". He's not wrong though. (I also got that reference)

[@grayeaglej]

And Mike was also there, but not really, because he was too busy eating crayons and pumping water. O.o

[@MattMerica76]

Ah! A cultured individual I see!

[@ryansaid]

The man who got sent to anger management for telling Chief that he would be dead and gone before he would ever lay a finger on his cabinets.

[@64Martin]

Hearing that the original 40mm grenade development involved an actual golf ball as a stand-in makes me wish even harder for someone to make grenade launcher golf a reality.

[@mrkeogh]

FORE-ty millimeter?

[@509Gman]

That’s essentially theCanCannon

[@tylerchaney1533]

If they could make one to launch tennis balls id buy five....gotta tire them doggos out in style!😉

[@zakcl00]

@@tylerchaney1533 nerf make one. Its great.

[@wraithcadmus]

How about a really cluttered firing range, you fire a golf ball then have to do a pistol course of fire from that spot?

[@TheRetirednavy92]

I loved my M-79. Just couldn't think of a way to sneak it home after Vietnam

[@Trumpforprezz28]

My dad said when they took his m14 and was issued a m16 it felt like a plastic BB gun he said he asked if they was just going to shoot them to piss them off instead of kill them he never felt safe he said with that weapon ? And he wasn’t in combat much longer after they issued it to him

[@dammii96]

Did you shoot at tanks with that?

[@nattybumpo7156]

Ammo might be any issue.

[@justarandomtechpriest1578]

@@Trumpforprezz28 it was a good weapon If you got good ammo And the cleaning kit that was issued with it got to you

[@ryleeryan3738]

I carried it my first month in the HERD in the HIGHLANDS. It was a "cherry " weapon. Not real useful in the jungles. The worst part about humping it was having several claymore bags filled with HE strapped all over you and your ruck. They came up with a shotgun vest later which would have been much better. As with all of the weapons from my youth I would love to have some fun with them now. A 3RD BATT 173RD AIRBORNE. AATW JOE RYAN

[@DeviantOllam]

As with many folk who grew up reading about Vietnam (and who enjoyed the film T2) there's a place in my heart for this classic. This is great!

[@jock-of-ages73]

This could be the ultimate overt entry tool! Roach in Apocalypse Now is the most memorable for me!

[@milgeekmedia]

Can't see the M79 without thinking of the Do Long Bridge scene in Apocalypse Now, where 'Roach' does that long range night shot just going on the voice of the VC soldier!

[@nolanolivier6791]

Ever read 'Despatches' by Michael Herr? That scene is lifted from an event recounted in the book.

[@louwrentius]

I was looking for exactly this comment. So cool and totally bizarre.

[@milgeekmedia]

@@nolanolivier6791 Thanks Nolan! I'll look that up!

[@jccepicfamilyfun438]

Hi Ian! I'm a big fan of your videos. My Dad is a Vietnam vet, 4th ID in country between 67-68, central highlands near Pleiku and carried the M79 as a grenadier. He's still very much alive! I've heard a lot of historians that seem to think the only "side arm" grenadiers carry was the M1911. This isn't true. My Dad had the option of carrying either M1911 or the M16A1 (no kidding.) His feeling was that the M-16 was light (about 6 pounds) and was much more accurate at the distances that they were engaging enemy fire when the M79 wasn't a good option. So, he stuffed the M16 in the ruck sack with ammo and carried that and the M16 into battle as his "side arm." He's always told me that he didn't want to be in a fire fight in the jungle where he only had a pistol versus the rifle. And it paid off for him in those situations. It was just a matter of what he was comfortable with as the side arm. Sure the 1911 pound for pound was lighter, but from a fire fight prospective, he preferred the M16.

[@georgesheffield1580]

We did the same ,79 and 16 . Full can on silng webbing of 79 ( 56 rounds ) and 4 to 6 sling webbing ( 7mags per slings ,18 rounds per mag )

[@PrebleStreetRecords]

“Paterson fire a warning shot!” “Sir this is an M79 grenade lau-“ “Ah potato potato just fire it.”

[@nutball3756]

i get what this is referencing but it's not an m79 in the gif or video or whatever, its an m32 rotary grenade launcher which is very different than this

[@maynardz03]

@@nutball3756 thats why he changed the quote

[@TheCollector1243]

Potato potato

[@razieltalos]

its a warning to whoever survives

[@HunterTheMan01]

Well on the bright side you wont need a second shot

[@tehfade53]

Now THAT is a cliffhanger...

[@timblackx13]

Ian, man, you're exactly like that one cool teacher at school who genuinely loved teaching. Your enthusiasm, expertise, and pure joy of explaining everything makes these videos so easy to watch and digest. Every video, every weapon, every aspect of all things firearms and the like is so well broken down and explained. You are such a pleasant person to watch and learn from. I mean that whole heartedly, thanks for being you Sir. You are truly a national treasure. 🇺🇸 Salute 🇺🇸

[@floridacooking7018]

The iconic “bloop Tube” I love it

[@ShawnWilsonPrime]

Tenanter 2 baby

[@gooondie]

@@ShawnWilsonPrime do you mean Terminator? Lol

[@johnkapusta3237]

i think you mean noob tube but to each their own :-)

[@ShawnWilsonPrime]

@@gooondie no, I don't. Can't you read?

[@maxschaeffner9005]

“Roach! Someone on the wire disliked the video!” “.....yea man...I hear him” “You need a flare?” “.......nah”

[@silent1967]

He's close man, real close.

[@lesmup2159]

Cue Voodoo Child...

[@mikedougherty9773]

@@lesmup2159 slight return

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Great scene in a weird ass movie

[@davidcox3076]

Was hoping someone would mention the Roach. I think he had some type of zen targeting on the VC caught in the wire.

[@Bikewer]

I was in the infantry in the mid-60s, and we had these. I was a medic, and “supported” the training ranges. We took a platoon out to the M79 range and on arrival, we saw one of those big German bunny rabbits out grazing on the range. The Captain said, “give me a gun!” and proceeded to fire a round at the bunny. The critter looked up, hopped a few feet, and started grazing again. The officer fired about 5 rounds at the bunny, never so much as ruffling a hair, and finally the bunny hopped off into the surrounding wood. No one was very impressed.....

[@WingMaster562]

"...M79 could not be used at close range", because it has an arming distance of 30m. This is often forgotten when this weapon is depicted.

[@StressmanFIN]

And in games that portray it right, an undetonated grenade can still kill a hostile with one bonk. I've always wondered how much would it actually hurt to be hit with a dummy grenade from one of these.

[@DrBunnyMedicinal]

That said, if someone pops up within minimum range and you shoot them anyway, they're gonna need a a bit of a lie down, to say the least. No explosion, but it ain't exactly a marshmallow either. Or you could just light em up with an illum round.

[@maximusbeniahwolfram8753]

To be fair 40mm impact fuzed grenades exist, but are somewhat uncommon

[@brittakriep2938]

In a german arms magazine i read, that a kind of ,buckshot' cartridge was made for this purpose, but failed in practise.

[@wraithcadmus]

Part of the "space compression" of games, and the fact that blowing yourself and your friends up in an FPS is an amusing nuisance rather than a permanent problem.

[@kaiko6450]

Ian : Racks the china lake Me : "I'm glad it isn't November."

[@joshuanicely8722]

Made me chuckle...good one

[@killjoy9864]

this one is break-action...

[@DrRaper]

@@killjoy9864 didn't watch the last ten seconds?

[@linkroblox9474]

same

[@rootgotter355]

@@killjoy9864the China lake is a different weapon

[@doncarlton4858]

One of my favorite scenes from "Apocalypse Now" : "He's close Man, real close". I thought the M79 was a replacement for rifle grenades and the LAW was the replacement for the Bazooka.

[@菊池清太郎]

“Get the Roach, man, get the Roach!”

[@tomservo5347]

Haha "Get the Roach!" Love how he calmly sights in the right elevation, squeezes a round off, it explodes, VC yelling goes quiet, with the Roach saying "Muthafucker" while dropping the spent casing. A nice case of a grunt burnt out at both ends long ago-the type of man Colonel Kurtz wants and says could easily win the war instead of 'high school rock n rollers with one foot in the grave'.

[@xcrockery8080]

Same, the M72 (or, "the 66") was your bazooka, the M79 ("the wombat gun") was a rifle grenade with a proper sight. I never wanted anything to do with the 66, but never got to spend anywhere near as much time with the wombat gun as I wanted.

[@MrSheckstr]

They are the Hummer3 of the rifle grenade and Bazooka

[@dannymatthews6365]

Also one of my favorite scenes of “Apocalypse Now”. I thought it was another epic reminder for Captain Willard just how insane the Vietnam War had become.

[@GuardianComplex]

Me: "Oh cool, m79 video. I hope someday he has access to one of the 20 or so China Lake launchers ever made." Ian: *Produces China Lake from under the table*

[@laramyelliott2903]

That's not a grenade launcher THIS is a grenade launcher

[@RemoteCamper]

There was another company that started to make the China Lake launchers again. One appears on Gunbroker every once in a while.

[@crazyfvck]

@@RemoteCamper Yes, but I thought those were non-functional. Or they are 37mm flare launchers. I also remember seeing plans posted on a forum somewhere on how to build a China Lake replica.

[@nickperryjackkson284]

I thought there were only 4 ever built, or still around

[@Jeddostotle7]

@@nickperryjackkson284 Apparently the number made was rumored to be between 20-30, a SEAL historian named Kevin Dockery confirmed that there were 22 completed guns in Navy records, and at this point only 3 originals remain unmodified under Navy control, with the rest having been deactivated and/or plugged.

[@Hawk1966]

When he said we should stick around I was SO hoping Gun Jesus would be blooping at the range. Bloop!

[@Spetznasfilms]

I got a bit of a stiffy when he pulled out the Warhammer 40k shottii

[@milkapeismilky5464]

Yeah but there's a PUMP ACTION VERSION!

[@jic1]

Garand Thumb did a cool (and hilarious) grenade launcher range video recently: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHKkmnmCp5msbNk

[@TRHOG]

Glad you profiled this weapon! My father designed it. I have the original mylars from Varo Corp. In Garland, Tx.

[@stevekillgore9272]

Wow

[@corrat4866]

Nice

[@aaronbalchand5475]

Very

[@voskresene]

Garland? You're right up the road from me! Your old man designed a very cool and iconic weapon btw.

[@TRHOG]

@@voskresene thank you sir! He did a whole lot more for the D.O.D. Too much to mention here. I’m carrying on with gunsmithing mods for friends etc! BIG wink here....

[@death13820]

Gun Jesus performed the Miracle at the end and pulls out a China Lake grenade launcher. He is worthy of our praise

[@Dutch_is_a_Weird_Language]

Wasn't the China Lake a pump-action launcher?

[@vFives]

@@Dutch_is_a_Weird_Language watch the last 15 seconds of the video

[@bensevrywere]

Boooo you spoiled it

[@PositionLight]

@Alexi Malenkov didn't they only make like 3 china lakes?

[@Dutch_is_a_Weird_Language]

Ooh good call, I missed that!

[@John.VanSwearingen]

All this discussion and no talk of the Cyberdyne Shootout of 1991? Some crazy guy with a minigun and an M79 blew up dozens of cop cars before blowing up half the building.

[@mojomanrosie]

I liked when he shot the swat team with the tear gas launcher and took thier knees out with the 1911

[@tlshortyshorty5810]

Heard they shot him full of holes with MP5s and nothing stopped him. Crazy stuff.

[@13infbatt]

Never forget...

[@_scyas_1827]

No shit. Rumour has it was the same lunatic behind the West Highland Police Station Massacre of '84.

[@andrewsuryali8540]

You know the rumors about senator Connor's mom Sarah being connected to that apocalyptic cult back in the '90s? I heard that guy was actually his dad and that he shot up that police station in '84 looking for her after a lover's spat.

[@X-Gen-001]

I'll never forget the good'ol wombat gun with that distinctly satisfying "thoomp" sound. You'll notice in the movie Terminator 2, Arnold has the M79 and when he loads an HE into it, it makes that sound. That's actually what it sounds like when it's being fired, not being loaded. I guess James Cameron thought it didn't sound powerful or intimidating enough, so he changed it.

[@irondwarf66]

This explains why 40mm cartridges always looked so weird on the inside

[@1337penguinman]

Especially considering the propellant portion is made more or less out of plastic.

[@MalikCarr]

They should really explain this better to people who actually use the things for government work. Give some more appreciation for how ingenious of a tool it is.

[@irondwarf66]

@@MalikCarr 7 years in and I never knew why, just that they were like that after we fired them.

[@feralferret8626]

@@1337penguinman Glass reinforced nylon to be exact.

[@jluvs2ride]

@@feralferret8626 not the live rounds. Perhaps you mean the training round.s

[@craigfurey942]

My old man was in the Marines around the time the M203 was completely replacing the M79. He said these things were a blast to shoot.

[@ጭስዋሪማና]

He aint your old man no more They may as well have stamped him [PROPERTY OF THE US GOVERNMENT] long ago

[@FIREBRAND38]

@@ጭስዋሪማና Maybe in your cartoon world. Did you read that in a magazine somewhere?

[@ጭስዋሪማና]

@@FIREBRAND38 nah i came up with it on the fly just then

[@nc_classics9767]

The Navy still kept them around, i remember seeing and handling one in the Armory of the USS Laboon in 2007

[@danielmarso7242]

I carried an M-79 in 1963 , it was new to the Fleet Marie Force , and it was kind of fun to fire .It also because of the aluminum barrel so easy to clean after being in the field for two weeks ! An old skirt shirt soaked in gun oil could be run through it in seconds, and the barrel couldn't rust ,so I could have my M-79 cleaned and ready for inspection hours before my buddies with their M-14's ,Liberty call ,The Grenadiers were always the first out on liberty !

[@mymomsaysimcool9650]

My uncle carried one in Vietnam. RIP Uncle Warren.

[@wewd]

My uncle also carried one. His backup weapon was an M3 grease gun. He loved both of them very much.

[@stenchemitter2407]

I usually go with the machine gunner or pointman role if I can but when I play as VC this thing is the bane of my existence

[@spook407]

@@stenchemitter2407 what

[@chazzcoolidge2654]

My great uncle served one tour in the Army,and after all the bullshit he faced when he came home he stayed in Vietnam once per branch. He didn't do many heroics but at least he stayed alive to have kids.

[@acetrigger1337]

"Simple, Elegant and Deadly." - a random Gun Nut.

[@ivanwrsong4792]

Retro ahoy?

[@RezaQin]

Eh, it's ok.

[@GodofWhoopass]

Simple and deadly. I would give the elegant part to the HK69A1

[@JTawesome92]

I see you're a man of culture as well.

[@dougbergren8035]

I carried an M-79 and an M-16 in my engineering platoon. Unfortunately, Ian didn't cover the added feature of a flair gun. It could fire a flair over 100 feet straight up and it lingered in the air for minutes. It was very effective. And we had to use it often. I'm surprised he never mentioned this feature.

[@Raven-Blackwing]

I am semi surprised this is the first time this has really been shown on this channel.

[@Thenlar]

I mean, it's hardly "Forgotten." It's certainly interesting, though!

[@thefiringsquadtfs6392]

me too but not as much surprised since he posted MG42 just weeks ago

[@jic1]

@@Thenlar Don't get too hung-up on the channel name, he actually does a lot of videos on common weapons.

[@ConsumeYourSoul619]

A Vietnam veteran once told me "Son, you can do a lot of damage with that thing". I'll never forget the look in his eyes and the way he said it.

[@alejocouderc4495]

Hah That's neat

[@MaceGaming53]

Yeah 40 mike rounds are gnarly

[@GodofWhoopass]

Especially the acid and flame rounds

[@Wolvenworks]

what kinda look was it?

[@ConsumeYourSoul619]

@@Wolvenworks Just stared at me for a moment with a grim look while nodding. He seemed sad when he talked about his time there and would never go into much detail, and I never asked him to. Hope he's doing well.

[@packrat76]

Years ago in the Guard, I got to fire the M203 with some real rounds, frag or explosive rounds for a qualification. It was badass. I didn't have a magazine so it was a PITA to shoot it, but still loads of fun.

[@geofffreighbigginshire]

"You promised not to kill someone." "Trust me.."

[@J-S.P]

Actually it's "Hey wait you swore!"

[@W.DG2]

0.0 Casualties

[@varold8678]

@@J-S.P "He'll live."

[@blackstone777]

me: how about the China Lake? Ian: pulls out the China Lake from under the table me: squeals with glee.

[@simpdetector7689]

The China lake was pump action.

[@strikeforce1500]

Ian is like doraemon. But with guns

[@shrimpkraken]

@@simpdetector7689 did you watch the whole video?

[@aquarius5264]

ew china lake nasty gross put it back under the table

[@OTSomewhere]

same here

[@johnmc8785]

Back in my ROTC days (early 80's) I was fortunate enough to fire an M79 on the range. We were doing an FTX with a NG unit that still had M-79's in their inventory, primarily for use with riot control munitions. Only got to fire two inert rounds, but managed to put both through a window target at 100 yds, after expert coaching by a Vietnam vet. Much easier to use than the M203.

[@PD722]

Ah yes Roach's grenade launcher. " Hey soldier do you know who's in command here?........... Yea.... "

[@milgeekmedia]

Just saw this - I commented later about the same scene! :)

[@TheFatNumpty]

“Ain’t you?”

[@KieferSmokerland]

My favorite movie clip EVER!

[@chuckwhite7941]

Ah yes.... Roaches tiger striped m79... One of the coolest things ever to be seen

[@GodofWhoopass]

@@chuckwhite7941 It's in Killing Floor 2

[@maxkronader5225]

"Simple, reliable, and effective" Sadly these are design parameters largely forgotten by modern military weapons designers.

[@jacobcastro1885]

F35

[@RainytheNB]

@@jacobcastro1885 "simple"

[@MidnightSvn]

Cough cough Ar15 cough

[@Tigershark_3082]

It's the same way for most modern defense contractors.

[@yegorgribenuke6853]

@@MidnightSvn Not really effective in modern desert conficts, where there are Big distance engagements

[@CATMANROG]

I was in charge of a SEAL support detachment in Ca Mau 1970. We were Team 2’s “taxi”, and we opped most nights with an awesome MSSC (Medium SEAL Support Craft). The M-79 was my weapon of choice in the open cockpit next to the radio, and using it saved us on 2 occasions. I was always loaded with buckshot round. After dropping off the SEALs, we remained bow first to the bank and silent until they returned. One night, as we waited, a small drifting/paddled dug out with 2 VC bumped into the side of our boat. They were startled, automatic fire thru our canvas canopy, and while crew ducked, I fired one-handed at them at 8 ft range... was over in seconds. On another opp, we were “pinned’ by 50 cal fire to our stern, from across a small river. We tried to suppress with our 5.56 mini gun, and our 50 and 60 on that side, but could not. The VC kept firing. I radioed for air support and an Air Force 104 returning loaded from a target replied. I used a white parachute round thru the M-79 to mark the drop, and the result saved us. I discovered the pilot’s name and we made contact after nearly 50 years.

[@glazzygobbler]

this video is exactly what i had the notifications on for

[@Bloodreign137]

As a straight male I’ve never been more curious about what a man has hiding in his pants than I was when Ian pulled that second grenade launcher out of his lap

[@mortisCZ]

And man, what a massive thing he had there! :-D

[@nealpatton9551]

Is that a weapon in your pamts or are you just happy to see me :)

[@georgesheffield1580]

The cross section of the case is very unique . The warhead is very effective as long as it doesnt bounc off of something back to you .

[@StressmanFIN]

The weapon of choice for every demolitionist, trapped in a ruined city and surrounded by hungry clones. "Oh I've missed you, my little laun-cher!"

[@davidresetarits5616]

"We don't care" blasting in the background.

[@omgwtfstfuroflmao]

It makes such a satisfying thwump when fired... I truly do miss it

[@paulpatti1681]

Ian, your challenge now is to find and review the legendary double barrel M79 that was maybe a military myth ? - used by the Australian Army, SASR in Vietnam.

[@samuelmuller9940]

I loved my thumper in Vietnam 68-75 made by the Mattel Toy Company. Prefercarry in a modified claymore pouches the ammunition He Smoke and Flares. A good firer could get 3 or more of before the first round hit. If you use a spotter made a neat knee mortar. Personnel defense .45 and M2 carbine

[@izumishion6267]

*sees M79 video* Arnold Schwarzenegger: "Excellent."

[@joedirt7716]

Now get to the chopper

[@RandomDudeOne]

"Soldier, you know who's in command here?" "yeah"

[@chevyvet69]

I thought you were sir lol

[@leeannepolvi9440]

Nice Apo Now reference?

[@RandomDudeOne]

@@leeannepolvi9440 "Go get the Roach!!" kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGqZoWB_nciNnrM

[@StatmanRN]

"Aint you?" I used that one myself when asked that

[@roger5555ful]

A very disturbing scene

[@robvin19]

In Basic in’68 with shortages of rounds, the Drill Sergeant had me be the demonstration shooter for the company because I couldn’t miss. Loved to watch it arc into the bunker.

[@thebadblokke]

I would have said the M-79 was a replacement for rifle grenades rather than the bazooka.

[@G-Mastah-Fash]

Yeah I thought the LAW and recoilless rifles replaced the Bazooka and Super Bazooka.

[@frankpolly]

depends on how you look at it. you got to remember that the bazooka was outdated pretty fast in world war II in Europe due to the increase of armor on German tanks. You saw a lot of GI's use bazookas as an anti-emplacement weapon to take out bunkers and sniper nests. I'm guessing that mindset of the bazooka as an anti-emplacement weapon was the inspiration for the 40mm grenade systems.

[@thebadblokke]

Well, antitank weapons always doubled as anti-emplacement weapons. And, like Stagger Lee said, new anti-tank systems were introduced to replace the bazooka and super bazooka. I still think is a strange claim that the M-79 was meant to replace the bazooka.

[@perfekt526]

@@thebadblokke maybe it was to replace the bazooka in Vietnam, not generally.

[@thebadblokke]

@@perfekt526 The M-79 entered service in 1961, way before US troops were deployed to Vietnam. Its development probably goes back even further to the mid-50s.

[@orestaskovera3567]

One of the most iconic granade launchers

[@GodofWhoopass]

How many are there to chose from in the first place? There's this, the M203, HK69A1, then the two semi-auto ones... the M32 and the MM1.

[@orestaskovera3567]

Still, the m203 and m79 are like *thump* granade laumchers and becausr of that and video games alot of people know them

[@GodofWhoopass]

@@orestaskovera3567 Because of video games? I only know about the Heckler & Koch 69A1 because of video games like Dino Crisis and Parasite Eve. It's never been in movies. Same with the MM1 and M32.

[@SearchEast2069]

top iconic grenade launchers: M79 M203 MK19 MAYBE the GP25 as well

[@GodofWhoopass]

@Rose Roberson No, that's the MM1, the same grenade launcher as in Parasite Eve 2. Easy to tell the difference... the M32 holds 6 shells while the MM1 holds 12 shells.

[@roguedalek900]

My buddy was a Ranger Lurrp in Nam. He LOVED this weapon. It was just about his favorite. Perfect for clearing houses .

[@redram5150]

After reading that title, anyone who says they didn’t hear that noise in their head is lying

[@kwrath96]

I heard a Minecraft Lava bloop

[@ጭስዋሪማና]

iconic

[@ToastyMozart]

*[Thoonk]*

[@Deavertex]

Or has never heard it. To me, it always sounded like a firecracker going off under a tin can.

[@rodleyeriffe9149]

Made a firecracker pop then bloop as it left the tube. Sounds like a tennis ball launcher.

[@Del_S]

VC: *screaming insults* Roach: I'm about to end this man's whole career

[@ጭስዋሪማና]

I like how theyre uaually made out to be like ninjas when in reality theyre normal people just like us

[@wes11bravo]

Hey soldier. Do you know who's in command here? "Yeah."

[@OspreyKnight]

I'm glad we went back to a standalone version. I could never hit anything with the m203, the standalone m320 I could shoot the proverbial wings off a fly. The whole ergonomics of slapping a gun under another gun is simply a nightmare that leaves both weapon systems more difficult to use. Tiny little m320 is great because it is compact and light enough to allow us to carry it with the rifle.

[@grape8992]

Would love to see a video on the AK 50, so Brandon remembers it exists

[@sarath431]

@Grape - it's a humbug.

[@gergokerekes4550]

did you miss the update a few days ago?

[@chrisdelibera3445]

Yea he just did an update and shot stuff

[@KieferSmokerland]

Someone should upload that meme to his meme review.

[@GunsNGames1]

The famous Thumper

[@Aaokke0]

Thumper

[@dondarius7262]

Or China Lake

[@MaceGaming53]

@@dondarius7262 China lake is a different 40 mm grenade launcher

[@sixstarhorizon295]

@@dondarius7262 the china lake is a pump action launcher

[@toddbazurto1423]

I got the chance to fire the "blooper." It was literally a blast.

[@1949rangerrick]

We had a couple of them in our Guard Unit back in the 60s. During field exercises we shot/lobbed a lot of tear gas rounds. Kept the the other units on their toes. God bless every soldier who endured Nam.

[@densealloy]

When I was in S.O.I. we were told to never toss the grenade and spin it because the fuse would rotate out and arm. My first thought was "why would anyone toss a grenade". My second thought " if they had tell us this someone probably has done it". Reflecting back after years in the infantry and it makes sense. Lol.

[@jic1]

Seems like 'lore' to me. It may be physically possible to throw a launcher grenade by hand over 30m while putting enough spin on it to arm the fuse (assuming that there's no additional safety that prevents it arming while it's still in the cartridge case), but I'm skeptical.

[@FlypFlap91]

Ian just sitting there for 15 minutes making a video with a grenade launcher hidden on his lap

[@leonardwei3914]

"Is that a pump action grenade launcher in your pants or are you just happy to see me?"

[@frugalsoul9984]

If he's just happy to see you be afraid. Be very afraid.

[@selfco8142]

Forgotten weapons is easily one of, if not the best and most informative channels dealing with weapons of all kinds, Tim's knowledge is exceptional and I love the way he tells the audience the story/facts behind the weapon that no one else does, brilliant work.

[@nanoua27]

Never forget to bring one when visiting Raccoon City or exploring old tombs around the world.

[@battlelord42]

I can't stop thinking about guys in lab coats breaking Pentagon windows with golf balls.

[@ronaldlebeck9577]

When I served in the Navy back in the 1970s-1980s, I always heard these referred to as "thumpers".

[@Ya_Boi_Raybies]

'LOGAN!' -Erich Rhoemer , 1999

[@happyveliz]

Fuck yeah. I never understood the shape of the m79 in that game though. Ever since I saw the shape of like, a real one, I would always go back and try and figure out what they were thinking when drawing out for your equip menu, lol

[@GodofWhoopass]

"A can of fizz. It's sure to yellow and mellow those things."

[@andr__c10h12n2o]

//proceeds to die to nerve gas//

[@michaelfreeman5064]

Holy shit i thought i was the only one that remembered that game

[@mikesadillan5834]

Me: "I think it was nonsense that Rhommer had a 3-shot M79..." Gun Jesus [pulls a pump action grenade luncher out of his pocket]

[@Shiruvan]

the 'Stick around' energy is the same as Arnie's one-liner 😂

[@Ian-oe9wp]

love that one

[@lordkrythic6246]

One of the best weapons from Syphon Filter. That and the "Devils Spaghetti" war crime of a taser.

[@THESLlCK]

*One crossed wire, one wayward pinch of potassium chlorate, one errant twitch, and KA-BLOOIE!*

[@linkroblox9474]

IF I WAS A BAD DEMOMAN I WOULDN’T BE SITTING HERE NOW WOULD I

[@henriquekonradt541]

OH THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO GLUE YOU BACK TOGETHER *IN HELL*

[@AverageOhioan1903]

So proud So COCKSURE PRANCIN ABOOT WITH YOUR HEAD FULL OVE EYEBALLS COME AND GET ME I SAY ILL BE WAITIN ON YAH WITH I WIFF OF THEE OLD BRIMSTONE IM A GRIM BLOODY FABLE WITH AN UNHAPPY BLOODY END *bang* *explosion sound effect* ‘kaboooom* *squish*

[@ayeuplink1428]

“We had a job to do” “ you picked up a grenade launcher and made your way to the bunker”

[@孙林可]

I don't know what is considered to be following Adler's order, but finishing the scene with launcher only is freaking impossible on high difficulty. I think I did that in low difficulty.

[@shrimpkraken]

@@孙林可 its pretty doable on the second highest difficulty

[@EnigmacTheFirst]

@@孙林可 I did the whole thing on realism after playing through once before on hardened. Just gotta be good at arcing those nades into groups of enemies from behind cover

[@Akeruyri]

@@EnigmacTheFirst How tf did u pass the helicopter crane part on realism

[@Akeruyri]

You gotta like snap to every target

[@leotrollstoy2351]

An m79 style golf ball launcher is the toy I never knew I wanted

[@XTrooper3936]

When I was in the Corps (1969-1971), the Blooper and M14 were my two favorite weapons. 👍

[@gingergorilla695]

What about the m14 did you like?

[@XTrooper3936]

@@gingergorilla695 The caliber and its general ruggedness. It was relatively long and heavy, but very solid and I was a young teenaged Marine so the weight really didn't bother me all that much. Now that I'm approaching my 70th year, I can't believe how much heavier they are now! 😁

[@gingergorilla695]

@@XTrooper3936 that's awesome man. Glad you served us sir, even if the country at the time didn't look at you guys that well. We're proud of you now.

[@XTrooper3936]

@@gingergorilla695 Thank you! I greatly appreciate that. 😉 The truth is, for most of us, I think, the only goal was our survival and that of our fellow Marines.

[@themadkraken1912]

I always thought it was more of a "Thounk!" than a "Bloop".

[@AdrianjTenEyck]

I thought "fwoomp"

[@stevejones1488]

Both are acceptable answers, welcome to harvard.

[@zstrongerspredators990]

@@stevejones1488 :)

[@andreasottohansen7338]

Oh that ending pump is oh so satisfying. Pump action, lever action, and bolt action guns are just so satisfying to listen to.

[@Luchoedge]

11:46 So this whole video was actually a build-up for that tease at the end, huh? Well IT WORKED.

[@TheCrypto34]

I don't think I've ever heard this weapon called "the bloop tube" lmao only heard it called "The Thumper"

[@EB-xl6db]

Same here

[@TheExplosiveGuy]

I've always heard it called the "Blooper", it seems there are several variants of nicknames for it.

[@RezaQin]

Yeah cause it goes "bloop" when you fire it.

[@coreywarde6030]

In the Australian Army it was also known as the Wombat gun and much later as Homer (Doh!!)

[@hueydoc]

We always called them " Bloopers"

[@neiloconnor9349]

Thanks. I came here from the China Lake grenade launcher. Not sure where the came from, but I saw a couple of these with Marines when I was in Kosovo in 1999.

[@thewitch7342]

the significant emotional event that take place when Ian wipped out a china lake from under the table good video btw

[@chrissilsby4312]

Some of the rounds were designed for Veirnam's terrain of heavily wooded, so they worked for that, but in urban areas of combat. The Flashett round was one of these rounds, but also used by others in missile to penetrate the jungles of the area. The shotgun round was the same way, but for close in support.

[@amendable5401]

And “Viet Nam” I would guess.

[@chrissilsby4312]

Yes, meant that bit spelling was never one of my strong suits.

[@thepjup4507]

the wood stock on that is beautiful. the shape, the wood itself, the aging. what a beautiful gun

[@jtilton5]

Here in Thailand, a lot of these "walked their way out of the back" of Army armories over the years, Back during the last round of protests/coups I sadly saw and heard them used in anger by both sides.

[@MalikCarr]

You'd figure getting 40mm ammunition for those would be the hard part, but maybe a bunch of those "walked out" too?

[@jtilton5]

@@MalikCarr yep, even more so, several times they found cashes of grenades.

[@Bigrignohio]

I have soooo wanted one of these since I was a wee child.

[@Kentucky_Caveman]

A child with a grenade launcher... that's terrifying.

[@Bigrignohio]

@@Kentucky_Caveman I was taught firearm safety and was trusted to drive huge farm equipment while I was still in the single digits. I had access to (and the knowledge to use) large quantities of diesel and Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer. Heck we had enough pesticides laying around to wipe out a small town! Somehow I expect it would not have been an issue for me to have one of these.

[@ScottKenny1978]

They make a 37mm version. "Flare launcher"

[@Bigrignohio]

@Alexi Malenkov Yes, we know. You are the guys that allowed straw purchases under the "Operation Fast and Furious" program that has killed hundreds, maybe thousands, of people with nothing to really show for it.

[@DoctorThundah]

The M79 has been my favorite firearm for years. I just love the way it looks, and I'm happy to see it getting some videos on this channel.

[@stevekillgore9272]

I got one for Airsoft

[@jimthomas4766]

My best friend of MANY years (now gone) carried a "Thumper" from 1968-1970 Vietnam USMC as his backup (M16's had problems, although that was his primary weapon). Setting up an ambush just south of the DMZ, occasionally HIS guys would get ambushed. 5.56 being crap in a foliage environment due to deflection, firing at muzzle flashes in a dark tree line sometimes didn't work out all that well. So, he'd grab the 'Thumper' off his back and launch an HE round or two in their direction. His backup for that was 'segmented' rounds. Not flechette, but lead projectiles?

[@edm240b9]

Me before 14:45: 😄 Me after 14:45: *screaming incoherently*

[@axelord4ever]

Thank god November is over because I would have failed.

[@droplifter3435]

I can't even get a BB gun where I live in the UK, and just when I was gutted I'd never even see this in real life, up comes a pump-action version, which I've never seen anywhere before. Imagine being in a real-life situation where you're armed with a pump-action grenade launcher, and using it is the right course of action, and needing the speed of the pump action is also a legitimate aid....

[@axelord4ever]

@@droplifter3435 Oi, got a loicense for that sadness?

[@1337penguinman]

@@droplifter3435 No one tell him about the Mk 19...

[@dannynye1731]

I had a friend who carried one in Viet nam for two tours with the Airborne. SOP for him as the pointman was willie pete in the tube. It was great for responding to an ambush or sniper at any range. It created a serious distraction to the VC and smoke so that the troopers could take cover. His name was Harry Daniels.

[@bjw4859]

Is this the one out of Terminator 2 where he blew the liquid one to bits ?, loved that gun.

[@michaelmckinnon1591]

Yup