XM-148: Colt's Vietnam Grenade Launcher

[@viniciobrancato4900]

The people at Brownells are watching this with a grin in their faces.

[@troykidd3232]

Do they have something similar for public sale ?

[@Mr9Guns]

@@troykidd3232 they have an M203 clone flare launcher

[@حسنعلييعقوب]

@@troykidd3232 kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3a2aKOobNeeiq8

[@حسنعلييعقوب]

@@Mr9Guns kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3a2aKOobNeeiq8

[@حسنعلييعقوب]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3a2aKOobNeeiq8

[@JesusBernal98]

“However, unfortunately, Colt screwed up.” WHAAAAT? I’ve never heard THAT before! 😮

[@johncox2865]

Read: Early AR-15

[@Mechanized85]

I would rather read official history, not with these garbage memes and pointless jokes, trouble maker humor.

[@Tunkkis]

​@@johncox2865 Well, those issues were mostly just inherited from Armalite's immature design. It was fairly remarkable how quickly they fixed the problems as they presented themselves.

[@Русланоколов]

"This is M-16A1 it....jams"

[@CBMMmercinary]

It just occured to me that I've never seen a History Of 40MM grenades and launchers before. Theyve been in use a long time but get overlooked.

[@Sogard22]

I'd love for gun jesus to explain why 40 mm was the size NATO standardized on. Why not 42 or 37?

[@livingcorpse5664]

Ammunition in general gets overlooked. Really weird when that is arguably the most important thing about a gun.

[@wellgreatengineeringltd3884]

Went to Nam in 66. In February 67 convinced a buddy to get me a AR15 with the Duper M-79 grenade launcher. Regretted it almost instantly. Too hard to handle. too complicated. But used it for a Month and got rid of it. Turned it in to the weapons guy and went back to an M-16. Looked cool, but to complicated. Better to just use the M-79 Grenada launcher or the M-16. Finished my second trip over there with the 16.

[@svenjonsson9]

The XM148 was most definitely a proof of concept that was pushed into the field too early. The M203 (although designed by AAI, not Colt) was essentially a much refined version of the concept that was a wild success...we are still using it over 40 years later!

[@meansartin]

0:29 - Anyone else notice that the sling swivel obstructs the grenade launcher barrel?

[@ethanmanley4594]

I was wondering the same thing!

[@MrJob91]

That because it can swivel from side to side. With belt attached its impossible to infront of the barrel when firing

[@erichnieuwoudt371]

So was I... would love to know more about that.

[@svenjonsson9]

@@erichnieuwoudt371 The sling swivel on the rifle's front sight base would, in theory, be removed when the XM-148 was installed. Note the sling swivel on the XM148 barrel- that is the new mounting point for the sling at the front of the rifle. Most likely the shop simply didn't remove it from their M16 when they mounted up the XM148.

[@Anonymous-ux3tu]

Yikes

[@RizzoR14]

When you realize Ian HASN'T done the M203 yet. Can't wait for that video

[@moej.priest6861]

good point!! he done m79? cuz that's even a higher priority

[@rfswitch4530]

The 203 is hardly "forgotten", but I think it is misunderstood a little, especially to people who have only fired Cheeto rounds. Actually firing HEDP, combined with the quadrant sight, was an eye opener for sure.

[@CB-dp1zs]

I want to see him do a table top review of an AIM-9 Sidewinder first. That would be epic.

[@Chevypotamus]

It may or may not show up next week...

[@seanlukew7499]

And InRange firing video

[@Thunderous117]

The barrel shroud for that m16 is pretty slick ngl

[@RetroVikingr89]

Looking forward to the M203 video now. One of my favorite things in the military was launching 40mm grenades. The sound that comes out of the barrel, the little kick you feel, and then "boom goes the dynamite" on your target- so satisfying.

[@Leo___________]

* *plunk* *

[@RetroVikingr89]

Leo- that’s it!

[@jimbotheassclown]

remember when you got deployed to iraq and they told you cant use the 203 anymore or the mark 19 at all or even load your crew serve weapons till you were getting shot at because obama was elected and his ROE's were shit. Pepperidge Farm remembers

[@wes11bravo]

When I reclassed to 11B, we each got 10 rounds of HE (yep, actual HE - not those stupid orange chalk training rounds) to send downrange. Of course a betting pool was established to see who had the most hits on an old M114 about 300 meters away. I tied with another guy, getting 8/10, dropping two right into the TCs hatch! I miss those days...

[@RobiSydney]

Ploop, and hopefully you can see the orange marker powder on the blue training rounds. I liked the XM-148 sight, pretty accurate compared to the M-203 sight mounted on the hand guard. I got out just as the Mark19 was getting out to the field. I taught M-2HB, 81mm mortar, M-60, M-16, M-870, M-15 revolver, 64mm LAW, M-9, M-1911A1 AFPG, M-1911Compact (the cutdown M-1911 the OSI used). I never liked the M-9, I loved the M-1911A1 AFPG (Air Force Proformance Grade - it beat the Army National Match M-1911 every match they were in together.). I really consider 9mm ++P to be a .38 SPL ++P or weak .357 mag. My preferred handguns are .45ACP in a M-1911 or .44 SPL in a Tarus 444 for me - 7 rounds or 5 rounds.

[@oriontaylor]

"Unfortunately, Colt screwed up." Shocking.

[@bobjones5166]

Wow a blast from the past. I went into the USAF in '78 and they were still using those. Had to qualify on it for Security Police training. It was pretty accurate at the 100 yards we had to train at. As long as the winds were calm you can put it right through a standard window frame at that range. Don't remember when all were removed from the USAF inventory but when I got to my 1st assignment they were using the M-203 so never saw the M-148 again. Just my $0.02

[@DelinquentChibi]

How would you say the M203 compares?

[@bobjones5166]

@@DelinquentChibi Can't say. I carried the M-203 off an on for 5 years and never fired it. The country I was in didn't allow us to practice with any form of grenades. Even non destructive practice ones. There were to many left over from WWII EVERYWHERE they didn't want us adding to the problem. Just my $0.02

[@DelinquentChibi]

@@bobjones5166 From what I hear, France and Germany have that same problem. Too many leftover artillery shells. Anyway, thank you for your service.

[@al73r3g0]

Still in use at Malmstrom AFB in 86-87

[@odiebo]

I qualified on grenade launcher with on in 1987. Like you, it was never seen outside of tech school.

[@matthayward7889]

That grenade launcher really looks like The type of design which looks great in a lab, and is absolutely horrendous to use in the real world. I can’t imagine anyone preferring this over carrying an M 79 separately!

[@eddiemurray55]

I sure didn't...M 79 rocks!

[@depthcharge126]

One Doomed Spacemarine lol breechloading blunderbuss...I got a good laugh from that. Sadly enough I thought that was exactly what that buckshot round was. My dreams of becoming 40mm Oprah have been crushed...”you get a pellet! and you get a pellet! And YOU get a pellet!!”

[@xSintex]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine you uh, realize that you got a rifle issued alongside the m79,yeah?

[@Gameprojordan]

So now you need to carry two full length firearms instead of one slightly heavier firearm

[@catfish552]

It looks like a first working prototype. Like, this is the stage where you have all the functionality you want, now you've got to turn it into a finished, usable product.

[@Yuzral]

Have to wonder why Colt didn't think "Hmm, we already have a pumping motion to open and close this during loading. Can we use that to charge it as well?" during development. Pump-actions had been a thing for...what, 80-odd years at this point?

[@mercoid]

Yuzral ...I think it wise that every individual operation involving an explosive be separate and deliberate.

[@earlwyss520]

@@quentintin1 Why as it so happens Harold Rube and Josef Goldberg were the weapons chief designers. LOL

[@Dreska_]

you're supposed to be able to load it and not charge it. its a deliberate design choice. Hopefully you can imagine why you wouldn't want to walk around with a cocked grenade

[@earlwyss520]

@@Dreska_ Depending on your threat environment your rifle may or may not have a round in the chamber, but it should at least have a loaded magazine inserted, so that, should you encounter hostilities, you may return fire quickly. You should only load a grenade launcher when you have a worthwhile target to shoot at. That is the safest way to carry any grenade launcher and this one is no exception, in fact IT IS THE RULE.

[@Jung-Thug]

@@quentintin1 The M203 cocks on open, and it's pretty much dead bang reliable. A little bar that's running on a track inside the weapon itself is a much simpler and more robust solution than some goofy wire charging handle hanging off the side.

[@randallkelley3600]

I can add to the story a bit. I was an AF Security Policeman from 1988-1994. At the time part of our training included Air Base Ground Defense school which we attended at Ft. Dix, NJ. The school had a number of XM-148s. Though we had already qualified on the M-203, we learned this weapon as well. Our instructors said we would never see them out of school. Fast forward 1-2 months and I am stationed at my first assignment at Incirlik AB, Turkey. Lo and behold, the armory had at least a few XM-148s and since I was listed as qualified with the weapon, the armory issued them to me and a few other airman who were fresh from school like me. Most of my fellow flight members had never seen one. I think we just got lucky getting to qualify on the 148, and it wasn't part of normal training. We were issued them only a few times. I think someone told the armory to knock it off and we were issued 203s after that. I never saw them again. In any case, our qualification was only good for a year and we weren't requalified on the 148. Side note: One of the reasons the ABGD instructor gave us for the failure of the 148 was that it would fire out of battery. If I remember correctly the cocking device and trigger would function if the barrel was open, there was no safety disconnect. So, if the barrel wasn't fully closed (but nearly closed), it was possible for the firing pin to set off the round. Dangerous to say the least.

[@andrewdriver3318]

How do you remember this stuff? I got out only 4 years ago and can’t even remember what color shirt they gave me.

[@samueldamewood5273]

I first used them in SP tech school in 1975, and we played with them again in the Philippines at Crow Valley in 1976. We all preferred the M79, which I was still using as late as 1993 with complete satisfaction. How nice the 148 is a "Forgotten Weapon" as it should have been 50 years ago.

[@randallkelley3600]

@@samueldamewood5273 Our Group Commander at Hahn AB (I was there 90-92), Col. Wheeler, carried an M-79 on post visits during base exercises. I think his was the only one at the Armory.

[@VoRMiTTi]

hey man you got very cool story there. I'm from Turkey and i just wondered that what was your job in here? And does really grenade launcher necessary to protect the Air Base? I know its probably sound too stupid but i don't have any clue about it and i would love to hear it. Thank you

[@timothylund6191]

We had some at our unit in mid 80's, 71st Tactical Control Flight McDill AFB, and were also give the M79.

[@leighneil]

I love the look of the XM-148. So very cool.

[@avramnovorra]

Finally a breakdown of the XM148 that I can understand.. I'm a year late to this party but I'm glad to have seen this video.. Thank you Ian!

[@LordSchnoz]

Ah yes, a sextant welded to a telescope. Blows my mind that anyone thought this monstrosity would do well in combat.

[@bonogiamboni4830]

Never underestimate bureaucrats.

[@thejuiceisloose]

Always wanted to know more about the XM148 and could never find anything. This scratched a 15-year itch for me. Thank you!

[@MichaelThomasMarion]

From 1967 to 1987 my Dad set up and ran the Plastic's Department at AAI Corp. In Cockeysville, MD. He helped develop the AAI Grenade Launcher.

[@Psiberzerker]

1:50 Gotta love the sling swivel overhanging the barrel!

[@Psiberzerker]

The rifled-case project was abandoned because it raised the cost of individual rounds, for Mass production. The weight of the Launcher is a handling issue in the field, and the US Military cares more about the Lowest Bidder than the man in the field which has to carry it.

[@حسنعلييعقوب]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3a2aKOobNeeiq8

[@حسنعلييعقوب]

@@Psiberzerker kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3a2aKOobNeeiq8

[@BillehBobJoe]

i only knew about this weapon system because of the 2004 game Battlefield: Vietnam, always knew it was something completely unique but didn't know about its troubled history, thanks Ian!

[@GhostKill88]

I've always wondered about the reasons behind the 148's differences from the m203. Thanks for kinda clearing that up. I haven't really remembered to research it. Everytime I think of it I'm busy. I am sure the m203 video will finish clearing it up. I never thought when I found this channel that I would be tuning in for every video but Ian man, you have the charisma these other channels dont have, and it keeps me watching. Thanks for all the cool stuff you analyze, and thank you for making me learn in my freetime instead of burn braincells lmao...!!!

[@airsoftbuddy83]

Love this channel! Genuinely did not know these even existed. Can't wait for that M203 video!

[@franknbeanz147]

How weird I was in a discussion about this and some people didn't believe this was real

[@franknbeanz147]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine Yes that is very true

[@FIREBRAND38]

I can clarify one thing, according to the 1966 XM-148 Manual Training Circular 23-10 the rear sight is indeed calibrated in meters NOT yards. Really glad you did this one. It makes a big difference being able to actually see the shortcomings being demonstrated. Looking forward now to the M203 video you promised. Thanks.

[@wellgreatengineeringltd3884]

The ones I saw had that removed. It was used like a M-79. Aimed in Direction and at a angle. We had to guess how far away the enemy was also. So for of fire for effect and adjust.

[@timotoxic4664]

I hope you will dive deep in to the topic of the 40 mm Grenade, high/low pressure. it's a stunning technic.

[@SangTheCryptek]

If you can also fire it just by thumbing that level, then damn, you could accidentally just bump into something have it go off if the safety wasn't engaged.

[@mercoid]

That would be bad. Especially if the grenade hit a nearby tree and bounced back at you

[@earlwyss520]

Yeah, that was one of the safety concerns with it.

[@Spike-13]

I instantly thought the same thing while watching the video. Pretty scary. I'm not sure but the grenades have a time delayed fuse of some such

[@MarvinCZ]

I feel the actual trigger is more likely to snag on something and fire unintentionally.

[@earlwyss520]

@@Spike-13 Grenades are spin armed and detonate when they hit something solid. I have seen the blue plastic ogive training rounds bounce off of soft wet grass of grenade ranges, so I have misgivings as to whether the live rounds will detonate in similar environments. If memory serves, a 40mm HE should arm between 14-28 meters, while a 40mm Frag should arm between 7-14 meters (please forgive me should those distance wrong, but I haven't held or fired a 40mm grenade launcher since 1997).

[@yemao1852]

It was in soviet movie "To survive" mounted on autentic M16A1

[@ArcturusOTE]

Get out! Where'd they get one, Vietnamese captured samples?

[@fnym9rdsavsffdik9a25]

@@ArcturusOTE it is legit www.imfdb.org/wiki/To_Survive_(Chtoby_vyzhit)#M16A1_with_XM148_grenade_launcher also appeared in Antikiller 2: Antiterror (only the trailer) and Antikiller 1

[@shabut]

Shit is loaded with malware

[@shoopusdawhoopus]

@@shabut that's imfdb for ya

[@TotalRookie_LV]

I might have seen that crap like a quarter century ago, if that's the one where bad guys sends a drug addict into a bus with a small case and promises him another dose after all is over, of course, the case actually had a bomb in it. Now movies of that era should seem unbearably bad.

[@send2georgie_S2G]

Great video Ian. Never knew this existed.

[@calebdehart6651]

Every single AR underbarrel attachment has been done at this point....except the Masterkey!

[@tracenjez]

There's pictures of the Australian SASR using these mounted on short barrelled, field modified full auto SLRs.

[@DE3ASER]

I found the photo www.militaryimages.net/media/sasr-in-vietnam.23748/

[@DE3ASER]

this is a clearer one www.militaryimages.net/media/vietnam-war-australian-sasr.14931/

[@dak4465]

Why does early development colt AR stuff look so cool

[@patrickdertz9110]

Because it was a truly forward thinking weapon system and it incorporates so of that retro futuristic thinking that was going on at that time

[@MrChileno94]

Thanks gun jesus! I'll stay tuned for the m203 video

[@martialbushcraft]

between ian and steve at mre info i can be entertained all day

[@JONISTI1]

These were in the USAF inventory up to the early 90s... although not as user friendly as the M203 that replaced it ....still holds a special memory of my time employing it. Can only imagine the collector value... The advantage was the wide opening that allowed several other cartridges that the 203 was problematic with such as the White star parachute flare. It was not that hard to charge either...

[@MrMalibu319]

That sling swivel being forward bugs me… a lot

[@mcqueenfanman]

Hope they have an M79 too. I know, they're just a big single barrel shotgun, but they are just too cool.

[@earlwyss520]

M-79 hell, I want to see the China Lake pump action repeating grenade launcher.

[@Not_An_Alien]

Tiger striped

[@earlwyss520]

The front sling swivel on the rifle needs to be removed, as it partially occludes the grenade launcher's barrel, and may affect the flight of the grenade. I fired the XM-148 in USAF Security Police technical training in 1987,and the launcher's sight is awkward to use. To take the weapon apart is complicated by the multitude of small easily lost parts. Oh, and thanks for putting this video up Ian.

[@randallkelley3600]

SP, 88-94. We shot them at ABGD, Ft. Dix. They also had them at my Incirlik, my first assignment. So, being qualified, they issued them to me and some of the other recently arrived airman. Still, we mostly carried the M203.

[@earlwyss520]

@@randallkelley3600 I shot the M-203 for the first time during ABGD at Dix, January 1988. When I arrived at Clark AB, PI I usually carried the M-203, but during emergency situations, we were also issued XM-148s when we ran out of M-203s.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Ian .

[@mattjohnson7775]

Great video as always Ian!

[@kushkiller7108]

Very cool, I love under barrel attachments. Especially under barrel shotguns

[@cbroz7492]

...in or around 1973, we got the new grenade launchers, the M204, for our M16 A1s in our unit in Gernany...HHC 4/35 Armor...I remember being part of the team that modified the rifles...

[@Hawk1966]

I keep looking at the sling swivel mount that intersects the grenade launchers barrel. That would worry me.

[@davidkeeley2822]

My unit in the Air Force had some of these for our smaller deployment team when I arrived there in 1994. I believe they were still in use until about 2000. My team had the '203 so I never got to handle the '148

[@jakeg1148]

My dad was in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, he passed away from agent orange syndrome 7 years ago. He always told me he had one of the first five grenade launchers hook to an M16 sent to Vietnam. I wonder if he was talking about the M203?

[@StenCheesemonger]

So "Point target system" in pentagonese means "DA bullets". Well thanks Ian.

[@lilwyvern4]

Because only plebs use simple, objective terms, I guess.

[@JerryEricsson]

Interesting historic video. When I was in Vietnam, we had been trained on the M-79, and they were still issued to troops quite regularly, this in 70-71. When I got home and joined the police force, we were again trained on the M-79 for police tactical use with shot-shells and tear gas.

[@sgtcwhatley]

Shot-shells as in 00 buckshot or rubber buckshot for riot control?

[@theairwaybat1830]

Holy shit that looks so busy, the M203 will always have my heart

[@scatt1502]

I was actually issued one of these in the mid 80's as an Air Force Security Policeman. Can't remember the full story but seems like there was some pressure concern about a lot of ammo being issued that was causing a failure of the 203 hand guard. They issued the 148 until they got it figured out. After that we would be issued 148 if we had additional postings and not enough 203's to go around.

[@weshayward7939]

I had no idea ford did anything related to guns! Thx for the information. Great video keep up the great work

[@sethgordon4473]

The forward rifle sling swivel hangs in front of the launcher barrel. I assume this would normally be removed.

[@earlwyss520]

Yes it would be.

[@حسنعلييعقوب]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3a2aKOobNeeiq8

[@bushranger8960]

This thing was also issued to the Australian and New Zealand Special Air Service forces and were used on modified L2A1 ARS, L1A1 SLRs and even the Suppressed Sterling SMG

[@axeldaval3410]

Awaiting the next video !

[@dobypilgrim6160]

I carried an M203 for two years of my army career. Loved it. I definitely would have hated this abomination.

[@Redbird1504]

The SPEW weapons and ACR weapons are some of your best videos. You and Karl should go on the Joe Rogan Experience.

[@AutismIsUnstoppable]

"so I know you guys like guns but have you tried DMT?" Joe rogan, probably

[@Redbird1504]

It would get Ian even more exposure. FW and Inrangetv are by far the best firearms related KZbin channels but some of the more goofy channels have 5x the subscribers. Its kinda sad.

[@AutismIsUnstoppable]

@@Redbird1504 yeah I agree it would likely bring a load of new subs and I would definitely watch that podcast

[@Graphictruth]

@@Redbird1504 Noooooo! Look at the comments in those channels!

[@bikecommuter24]

Looking forward to the M203 video, it was the last weapon I qualified on before I retired.I was also an instructor on this weapon which was point the weapon in the general direction of the target fire a few rounds we are done, next😆 it was actually my second favorite weapon. The M60 was my favorite. Glad this thing was gone before I enlisted. If you look up M203 online there are pictures of people making it into a pistol.

[@sawyere2496]

I like how the sight looks

[@jasonjackson329]

Great video. But dang it. Now I’ve got the itch to do a new build on a retro M16 with the launcher Even though it will only be a flair. And will cost a bunch. But I want it

[@jwilder47]

it seems to me like the front sling swivel on the rifle would cause a problem with the grenade launcher. In some of the B-roll it looks like it's sitting in front of the muzzle.

[@PitFriend1]

Holy crap! Soldiers actually took that kludgy thing out into the field in actual combat? It looks like an early prototype of a weapon that hasn’t left the test bed yet.

[@snootdingo9365]

The precursor to the 203? I was a grenadier in my first battalion fire team and I got to carry the M16 w/203 combo...I felt BADASS like Arnold in Predator lol! It was so fun to shoot, you didn't really need to use the trajectory guide, you could just wing it after the first few ties

[@snootdingo9365]

That thing does NOT look "idiot proof" like all of the other military hardware

[@RevBoose]

There is no "idiot proof". Every time something is declared as such, someone else produces a higher-grade idiot!

[@themadthrasher5000]

I wanna see a video of him doing the Mark 19 40mm as well. When I was in the Marines we had them on our Amtrac's and goddamn they jammed so much so we just used the M2HB the whole time.

[@robertreynolds9228]

Yep my dad said it was real crappy due to all the damn snags. He said he modified them.

[@RobiSydney]

Air Force had them, because they work fine in a pickup or Peacekeeper (Cadillac Gage - Dodge frame, 360 engine, run flat tires) in the missle field.

[@robertbogan225]

The hand guard looks awesome.

[@cheddar2648]

0:26 Grenadier: "I wanna thump" Rifle sling: "aight I'm abouta head out"

[@thagrifster594]

Ian - another great vid. There is a AKS-74U behind you. Can you review it? 🙏🏻 Thx

[@michaelhoran955]

I was issued and carried one of these in early "67". My big complaint was the cocking piece had problems and tended to slip. Sight was bulky and issued separately in canvas pouch so many did not mount it. Lastly the m79 Grenadiers were issued these and had to give up their handy M79's and sadly their issued companion 1911 pistols. I kept my .45 and carried it as my personal sidearm as old habits die hard. I did not care much for the XM148 and preferred the M79/1911 combo. Besides if needed you could always pick up a M16 during battle. Steadfast and Loyal.

[@Pointman-yf6or]

We threw these damn things in the rice paddy’s and got an extra m79. Gave the damn m16s back and got as many m14s as we could beg borrow or steal. We had 4. 2 m79s, 4 shotguns, 2 Remington pumps 2 a5 brownings in our platoon. Wish we could have gotten more

[@Gold_nugget1949]

Beautiful AK back there !

[@danielburgess7785]

It appears that the rifle's front sling swivel is partially blocking the launcher's barrel.

[@itsapittie]

The Air Force used the XM-148 into the late '70s. By then the combat triggers were all worn out and the only reliable way to fire it was by depressing the sear with your thumb. The cocking levers were also worn out and sometimes when you depressed the sear, the cocking lever rotated around and delivered a hefty smack to your thumb. After range day there were always a bunch of guys running around with black thumbnails.

[@justsomeguy3931]

MACVSOG was one of the secret units that first tested these in combat, along with the 203. If my memory serves, these XM-148s sometimes broke and would not fire grenades any more. The 203 was much beloved immediately tho. You should do a video about the China Lake pump-action grenade launcher. Sound historical information about gear, as always

[@JippaJ]

That sling swivel seems perfectly placed.

[@mackenziekirkpatrick5103]

A great feature of each video could be a description of each weapon featured in the background of wherever you are.

[@kanghyunyoo6690]

thank you

[@sqike001ton]

I had the fortune of knowing a SOG guy who carried one of these this explains him taling about carrying a thumb trigger grenade launcher

[@overboost7667]

That front sling loop bothers me - that can't be as supposed, does it ?

[@scraggy983]

I suspect the launcher has been incorrectly mounted, insofar the sling swivel should be folded "backwards" as the launcher goes into place

[@ivo215]

A steel loop hanging over the front of your grenade launcher's barrel? Sounds legit.

[@joshdelaet3536]

Whoooooooo caaaaaaaares

[@USSEnterpriseA1701]

Actually rifles mounted with this normally had the swivel removed entirely. This is clearly just mounted to a pre-existing M16A1 that hasn't quite been properly modified for it. Also I believe you can actually swivel that funky trigger so that it is right next to the rifle's normal trigger. I think someone thought that firing a grenade and a burst of auto at the same time might be a cool idea, I also think they were wrong about the practicality of that.

[@judsongaiden9878]

@@joshdelaet3536 The grenadiers who actually used them would have cared.

[@Fredo63200]

Yes ! More demonstration with dummy rounds please !

[@maxdavies5776]

Convert to knee launcher if required. So we can carry on the back . Lightening the gun. Fit on gun if required or dug out launch. From seperated unit so u can shoot the enemy - different angles.

[@CrysResan]

400 yard sight, 40mm grenade launcher with low velocity rounds. _Press X to doubt._

[@willh.7755]

X

[@eddiemurray55]

I carried this while in stationed in Thailand. Clunky as hell compared to the newer 203, but while they both have an M-16 variant attached my personal 40 Mike Mike is the M 79. Was my first love.

[@mbr5742]

I never understood why the US could not give the Grenadier a rifle. The germans did that with the GraPi, it was issued in addition to the G3

[@mbr5742]

@DOUG HEINS Bundeswehr back than had the advantages of only operating in west germany so short ranges, medium temperatures - might indeed have made the difference to an "all over the world" army

[@حسنعلييعقوب]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3a2aKOobNeeiq8

[@حسنعلييعقوب]

@DOUG HEINS kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3a2aKOobNeeiq8

[@حسنعلييعقوب]

@@mbr5742 kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3a2aKOobNeeiq8

[@morelenmir]

'Get to the chopper!' Almost.

[@able_archer01]

Here's another example of why input from soldiers helps design decent weaponry.

[@fullretardcustomguns837]

We had the xm-148 in the ANG up until 1990 I think.

[@randallkelley3600]

I was an SP, regular enlisted. We had a few of these at Incirlik AB, 88-89.

[@charles_wipman]

I didn't knew those, nice to know 'em now.

[@thesinofpride9433]

That sling swivel in front of the barrel is TERRIFYING

[@rhodamarquez6539]

Me: *A Vietnam War fanboy* Ian, the purveyor of knowledge regarding obscure weaponry: *Uploads a video on a Vietnam Era weapon* Me: YES!

[@georgeschaffino8147]

Looks like someone pushed an errant model just to have Congress okay a big budget idea. It's just like the gov'ment budgeting $15,000 for a coffeepot, $20,000 for an office chair..etc, back in the `80's. M-203 or bust, hell, I'd be happy with a M-79 grenade launcher. ;)

[@BCage]

Would be nice if you could show us and talk about the history of the PP - 19 "Bizon"

[@Mrgunsngear]

great info

[@richardthorpe8889]

Wow cool video. Surprising to see that in Canada. There rest of us that don't have a movie supplier licence can get ten years for having a blowgun.

[@wlewisiii]

The M79 still remains the best individual grenade launcher in US service. Longer range, far more accurate and a rifle plus it is not as bad a load as the M60 team, or the radio guy or any of the mortar maggots carried. Just give me a nice mix of HE and Buckshot rounds and I'd have happily carried a 79 rather than the 203 I occasionally got stuck with.

[@Spike-13]

I think it's easy to see why this didn't do well in Vietnam. Just imagine a mud test, with mud getting into the cocking mechanism (which is already 30lbs) and trigger assembly, not to mention inside the breach as you're trying to reload it. And the sights are just absolutely behemoth😂😂 awesome to see the old tech. nonetheless.👍

[@andreinebesnii4647]

Thanks!

[@feffe4036]

Like how the sight looks like something off of some naval cannon. :)

[@MRmagicTT]

27,400 was delivered by the summer of love

[@thelotuslover4757]

Wow, it actually looks a little more handy than the m203!

[@DissedRedEngie]

I fail to see how it's any bit more handy than m203

[@bassassassinnn7459]

If it was more handy, we'd still be using them.

[@JackClockerinos]

Australians actually used this launcher for a while in the war. They managed to attach it on their L2A1 SAWs, and with a few modifications, they made a variant they called "The Bitch"

[@MatoVuc]

I can't help but wonder why the forward sliding mechanism was used on this and the M203, when the proven design, the M79 was a break action. Was it really that difficult to take that principle action and rotate it 90° like on the AG-36/XM320?

[@braden_2370]

You should take a look at some cold war era Czech rifles

[@cooliobob1274]

@c ball Agreed!

[@ForgottenWeapons]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ_NknqZaqugrdE kzbin.info/www/bejne/roLEkGSdjLySbLc

[@dak4465]

The ZK 420s is a dream gun for me (not a 420 joke) I love everything about the rifle. I'd give my left nut for one