Battlefield-Used US Military M79 40mm Thumper Launchers Available

Las Vegas, NV – August 10th, 2026 – Arms Unlimited, the premier destination for rare and collectible firearms, has once again delivered an unprecedented opportunity to American collectors and enthusiasts. The company is proud to announce the first-time availability of authentic battlefield-used U.S. military M79 40mm grenade launchers – the legendary “Thumper.”

Developed under Project Niblick and adopted by the U.S. Army in 1960, the M79 was a single-shot, break-action 40×46mm launcher that gave infantry squads devastating, portable firepower far beyond rifle grenades. Affectionately nicknamed the “Thumper,” it saw extensive combat in the Vietnam War, Cambodian Civil War, and Laotian Civil War with units including the 1st Cavalry Division, 101st Airborne, and 173rd Airborne Brigade. More recently the M79 has seen use during the Global War on Terror in both Afghanistan and Iraq by US Navy Seal teams. Reliable, simple, and deadly accurate, the M79 fires high-explosive, smoke, illumination, and flechette rounds, making it one of the most iconic shoulder-fired weapons of the era.

In what is being hailed as a historic first, Arms Unlimited is releasing a limited quantity of these genuine battlefield-used examples. These are not modern reproductions – they are original U.S. military Thumpers with real combat history.

“Arms Unlimited has built its reputation on sourcing the firearms that other dealers only dream about,” said Daniel Shamie, President of Arms Unlimited. “The M79 Thumper is pure Vietnam-era firepower. To now offer authentic battlefield-used examples for the first time is something we’re incredibly proud of. These are not just launchers – they are American military history that will only appreciate in both value and significance.”

All M79 launchers in this limited release are original U.S. production in original condition, fully compliant with current regulations, and expected to sell quickly due to extreme scarcity. They are subject to NFA regulations as registered destructive devices.

Serious collectors are encouraged to secure one of these historic pieces before they are gone.

Highly desirable German-made Heckler & Koch launchers from the same time period will be released next.