King Arms M79 40mm grenade launcherreplica.
Brief history
Work on the personal grenade launcher known as M79 has started in 1952, after some bad experiences taken out of the Korean War. Soldiers were complaining about lack of firepower on ranges too short to lay artillery fire but longer than a throw of a hand grenade. A personal support weapon like a grenade launcher was the only answer to such needs.
While pursuing the research program, there was a decision made to use a double chamber propelling device. In 1953, there were three prototypes prepared by Springfield Armory : pistol, break-action and three-shots one. Due to malfunction problems, three-shots and then pistol type were rejected. Break-action project by col. Roy E. Rayle which was based on a hunter's shotgun was taken into production. This project was introduced under the name M79 in 1961. It was then thoroughly tested during the Vietnam War. It came out to be highly effective weapon with a maximum range of 400 meters. While targets on the distances as long as 150 meters could have been targeted with direct shots.
The main drawback of M79 was that it was not an universal weapon, so grenadier had to carry another weapon. It was the main reason for limiting the production of M79 which was slowly replaced by M203 mounted under the barrel. Carbine with a grenade launcher was more practical in difficult terrain like the jungle, where any additional piece of equipment was affecting the soldier's efficiency.
During the Vietnam War, M79 was used not only by US Army. Until the present day, it is used by mountain tribes in the region. During the Vietnam War, CIA has launched a program of recruiting and arming mountainous groups of H'mong minority in Laos, to create an ally against communist forces. After the war those allies were slightly forgotten, and they kept on fighting against the enemy long time after the war, during that time, they were oppresed by communist governments of Vietnam and their own country. Some of the facts regarding the topic came to light as late as in 2003. Below picture shows a group of H'mong guerilla group in 2006... In the middle, a village leader is armed with M79 used since the Vietnam War.
Photo taken near Vang Vieng, Laos, July 3, 2006.
During recent years M79 has been coming back to favour. M203 is not precise enough and the accuracy of M79 has again brought it back to action in Iraq where it was dubbed Thumper. At the beginning M79 came back only in SEAL special forces. Below picture, taken in 2006 in Iraq shows M79 in the equipment of SEALs patrol.
M79 is used in Iraq not only as a support weapon or particularily excellent weapon to clear out the buildings occupied by enemy forces. Accurate in short distances, M79 was found useful to take out IEDs. Picture below: 1st Division Marines, MP gunnerySgt. in boot-camp training with M79. Training was a part of "solving the problem of IEDs while providing protection for convoys".
USMC photo, gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva.
WRAPPING
At the first glance M79 replica box seems to be very small - at least in comparison with any AEG carbine or SMG box. But when you open it, you are sure it keeps the replica safe. It is solid, full cardboard box. Its design is same with any other new series of King Arms replicas. Black and red colour with a big logo in the center.
Inside it's filled with a rigid foam protective material, which guarantees replica's safety. There's absolutely no play inside - it is placed so tight that it requires some force to take it out. From the top it is covered with protective material of 15mm or so.
Inside, except for a replica itself, there is a manual (4 pages). It is written in English and the pictures illustrating maintanance are clear.
There is a cut in to put a 40mm grenade, which was filled with a protective foam in the version which we've received.
FIRST IMPRESSION
Replica just makes you feel like five year old. It not only feels heavy and solid - IT IS actually solid and parts are perfectly matched with no play at all.
As for, as it seems, so simple in technical terms, replica, M79 by King Arms has quite a many details. Nothing though would have any unwanted play: every single screw is right in place and screwed tight. King Arms accustommed us to high quality in their recent replicas - this time there is no surprise: when you take a replica out of the box you don't have to wonder if there would be any part which would fell off, or needs some attention to put it back on place. Such a random check with some work to do before use is - unfortunately - a bad rule for many other producers, especially those "not-branded".
We had a chance to have a number of airsoft grenade launchers in our hands and most of the replicas had some unwanted play, or not fully matched parts like clattering barrel or loose sights. There is no such problem in King Arms replica.
Wooden parts are just beatiful. Dark, hard wood with polished texture with visible grain. It is only a replica thought, surface of the wooden parts seem to be a bit too delicate.
Stock has a soft rubber made foot, mounted with two screws. Solid steel screw connects a stock with a metal body.
Both in locked and ready to load settings, grenade launcher has no unwanted play on parts. Barrel and trail shows no unwanted play at all. M79 while breaking-action responds with proper friction. It gives you impression that this replica is rock-solid - like one piece and every part is properly designed to match the other.
The weight does not feel like it would be very light, though it could be heavier. It is not resembling the original one, but it gives you the feeling of a "real" thing. It is also a bit shorter (17mm) than the original one.
OUTER LOOK
Comparison with the original one:
| Real M79 | Replica | |
| Total lenght | 737mm | 720mm |
| Barrel lenght | 356mm | 354mm |
| Weight | 2720g | 2000g |
As for the look, it makes a very good impression. It resembles the original one very well, except for minor differences in weight and size. Replica is made of wood, aluminium and steel. Parts made of steel are dark grey, while rest of the metal parts are black (in tested exemplar - in two shades of black, some parts are rather in black-lead shade). Surface of the metal parts is smooth and gives properly cold feeling.
Parts made of steel include: lashing mounting points, trigger cover and a trigger cover lever button. Steel parts are triggered with magnets on the picture below. All of the screws are also made of steel.
Trigger cover is foldable. Taking a shot in thick gloves is no problem at all.
Trigger cover might be folded by pushing a button located on the front of it. It's foldable both on the right or left.
To release the lever to break the barrel, pull it towards right. It would come back to left (closed) position automatically after latching up the barrel.
Behind the barrel lock, there is a safety lever. While pulled backwards it's in safe position (S), pushed forward, replica is ready to fire (F). Safety lever works fine even though it seems a bit vulnerable.
SIGHTS
The only marks which may be found on King Arms replica, except for marks on safety lever, are those on the adjustable sight. Sight settings marks are resembling the original ones, so they would not have any use during airsoft games. Marks and settings are resembled very precisely.
Replica has a vertically adjusted sight which is functional. On the left upper sight, there is a dummy knob (elevating screw wheel). Replica's sight has no long adjustment screw, which (in original) should be located along whole left edge of the sight's frame.
To put the sight in the upright position, just press the button on the left side.
To adjust the sight level just loosen up sight carrier retainer lock nut on the left side of sight carrier.
Windage screw and knob, on the base of the sight, which is responsible for horizontal adjustments in the real gun, is just a dummy in a replica. But either way it would have no use in airsoft games.
Even though horizontal adjustments would not work, horizontal windage scale is accurately resembled, which makes it look more real.
While frame sight is folded, it is possible to use muzzle sight and the rear sight, which in original would normally be used to aim at short range targets.
TRIGGER
Trigger action is so simple that it seems not necessary to give any detailed descriptions. It looks like there is no part of it which might malfunction. Trigger spring is hard but the main resistance is from primer. It requires to put some force, so shooting for some time might get your finger tired.
BARREL
King Arms didn't go the easy way to make the smooth-bore barrel. They decided to make it more attractive.
GRENADES
Replica would work without a problem with number of 40mm airsoft grenades. We had a chance to try it with both well known brands and as well by no-name Chinese producers. The lenght of a grenade should rather not matter. We didn't have a chance to check every single grenade available on the market, but those which we had a chance to check out, were working without any problems. We might risk a saying, that it should work with any 40mm airsoft grenade. Inner barrel diameter is flawless. Some of the grenades (i.e. those made byVanaras) didn't fit very tight with some play on the sides, but it was minor and didn't affect the performance.
SUMMARY
King Arms M79 40mm replica is another successful product, thanks to eye catching look, high quality and perfectly finished and matched parts. Good level of original resemblance, very good looking wooden parts are making this replica really attractive. Even though for fans of "real" details in a replica, weight might be seen as a disadvantage, but having it in your hands it does not feel that lightweight, and probably thanks to cold metal parts it just feels positive and real.
Yet another time, King Arms offers a replica which is complete in every aspect: starting with a good wrapping, clear manual descriptions and every detail of a replica itself. Unfortunately, due to weather conditions it was pointless to try it outdoors. Nevertheless we may surely say, that very few replicas made such a good impression "out of the box". We tried to find any major drawbacks but we just couldn't.
King Arms M79 is a nice example, that one producer is improving with every next replica in their offer. In our opinion KA M79 is worth recommending to airsoft players, likewise reneactors or collectors. Any fan of the American weaponry or interested in reconstructing US Nam Era units, or even the fan of units involved in Iraq conflict should be content with a quality of this replica.
Replica was tested thanks to courtesy of KING ARMS:
WMasg Editor's Team would like to pass special thanks to zwierzu83 and TBM for their contribution in preparing this review.
Original M79 photo sources:
Translation by Bukhart
