m79s in public????

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

gunnerjones

Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
91
I was at a gun show and I saw a few M79s a picked one up and look through the huge barrel then sat it back down (yes, I know what one's for; no, no smart comment please) then a guy who had tattoos all over him walked up and handed the man a huge roll of cash and bought it. But what shocked me was that he didn't get a background check! How come you you go threw a big fuss to get a full auto but you don't for a Grenade Launcher!?!?!? So what are some of your thoughts on it
 
You more than likely saw not a 40mm M79 grenade launcher, but a 37mm flare launcher that looks like a grenade launcher, which is just that, a flare launcher.

Yes, civilians can own a 40mm grenade launcher (or any number of other...interesting...pieces of ordnance, but they are generally Destructive Devices.

Here's a Spike's Tactical 37mm standalone launcher, for example. Adaptors for 12 guage and 26mm flares are also available.

Havoc%20Gen%202_LRG.jpg
 
Yeah i would love to have one but i thought u had to have a special permit but i guess not
 
Not for the 37mm launcher. The 40mm launchers are classified as "destructive devices" and you pay a $200 tax to the ATF and pass their background check for it- it falls under the NFA rules.

The 37mm launcher is restricted to certain projectiles, but generally are a lot cheaper to buy. For example, I can buy a Spike's Tactical launcher for the AR-15 for $300. A real M203 is going to cost about (or even over) $1K, plus the $200 tax.
 
You know what they both look like, then why didn't you call the cops?

You're an expert on VietNam weapons, and you know a real grenade launcher upon sight, and saw it being transferred unlawfully, but did nothing. Why not?
 
Becase all wepons are checked to get into the show and it had there tag on it saying that it was cleared for sale, but when it was sold, they guy who sold it said that it was a personal sale, there for they didnt need a back ground check, i know that sounds wrong but what could i do, the guy would have been long gone before the cops got there... well i guess we will be seeing it on the news some time soon.
 
And you measured the bore using a set of calipers before definitively declaring it to be 37mm in diameter rather than 40mm?
 
Grenade launchers are covered under the National Firearms Act, and as has already been pointed out, are classified as destructive devices. In order to legally purchase a true 40mm grenade launcher you have to jump through a number of paperwork hoops and register the weapon with the BATFE. Transferring an NFA device illegally will result in a felony conviction and a significant prison term if you're caught.

It is extremely unlikely that what you saw was an actual 40mm grenade launcher. There are companies that make 37mm flare launchers that look EXACTLY like the Vietnam-era grenade launchers. These flare launchers are completely legal to possess. Unless you are able to visually discern a difference in barrel diameter of 3mm (.118 inches). Then I would say that what you saw was a perfectly legal transfer of a flare launcher tarted up to look like an M79.
 
I'm guessing you had your micrometer and calipers with you to verify???

I'm only going to say this once, so I'm going to capitalize, maybe you'll get it...

THEY MAKE A 37MM LAUNCHER BARREL THAT LOOKS 100% IDENTICAL TO THE M79s. You can't tell them apart unless you look really really close at the model identification. You attach them to a REAL M79 Stock, and they no longer require a background check.. You may have seen a retrofitted unit...

For example: http://www.gunsamerica.com/949227442/Non-Guns/Barrels/37mm_M79_Grenade_Launcher_Barrel.htm

If it WAS a real M79, you witnessed an illegal act, and should be shunned for not reporting it. Heck, I'm ticked off that you even thought it may be illegal and didn't report it to one of those guys in the ATF jackets that are at every gun show I've ever been to.
 
Any chance that it was indeed a 40mm, paperwork had been initiated well-prior to the show, and the purchaser finally got all the t's crossed and lower-case j's dotted so he was picking it up?

Just saying not everything is as it appears. If someone were to commit federal felonies by selling a grenade launcher, a gun show is a heckuva public place to do it, with a lot of eyes watching. I wasn't there, and don't know the parties involved, but I highly doubt that what you witnessed was an illegal sale of a 40mm grenade launcher. More likely legal by paperwork, or legal by being an oversized flare gun.

For those of you ranting on the OP, I for one applaud his checking himself before turning someone in to the federal authorities. Most law-abiding gun owners wouldn't want to have BATFE called down on them by an alarmist who didn't have his facts straight, nor would I make such a call unless I was sure there was something illegal going on.
 
For those of you ranting on the OP, I for one applaud his checking himself before turning someone in to the federal authorities. Most law-abiding gun owners wouldn't want to have BATFE called down on them by an alarmist who didn't have his facts straight, nor would I make such a call unless I was sure there was something illegal going on.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Although I probably would have walked up to the buyer and innocently asked, "is that a real M-79 in 40mm?" Even if he lied, as long as I didn't know for sure, my conscience would be clear.
 
I like the part about the the guy being covered in tattoos. He must have been a bad guy then :) I think you may have been mistaken also, it happens.
 
+1 lobo9er. That is much more tactful than what I was about to post.

Next time, just ask the dealer what was sold and how you could get one. It might clear up a lot of things and hell, since you are an "expert" in Vietnam era weapons, how could you resist purchasing a 37mm M-79 replica? Now I want one...
 
I don't think we're trying to be hard on the guy.

I appreciate taking the High Road and being kind to the OP. We should all be careful with our fellow members. We're all here sharing stories and info for the same reason.

But the OP is the one who said he's an expert. He asserts that he can confirm by visual inspection. He doesn't seem to have a need ask the seller for clarification.

Perhaps that's the best THR lesson here. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
 
My brother doesn't have tatoos, but he does own a legit M79, done on a Form 1. I'll try to post a picture later. GunnerJones, do you remember seeing swirly things in the barrel? If it was rifled, it was 40mm, if it was smooth, it was 37mm.
 
A little O/T but to avoid starting another thread, the Wiki entry on the M203 said that while legal to own, real HE 40mm rounds are rare and expensive on the civilian market. Because no-one sells them to civilians?
 
gunnerjones:

Did you take a look at the price tag when you looked at it? If you did that would easily clear up the uncertainty. Or, just how huge was the roll of cash?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
grenade launchers
Replies
9
Views
578
akodo
A
nwilliams
  • Locked
Article: Jersey City Woman Finds Missile Launcher On Lawn
Replies
1
Views
480
Justin
Justin
3
  • Locked
Just Now Watching Shooter
2
Replies
43
Views
2K
woodybrighton
W
M
  • Locked
Military/LEO-Odd Targets?
Replies
13
Views
619
Harry Paget Flashman
H
C
  • Locked
Bloom Automatic Golf Ball Launcher
Replies
19
Views
4K
MechAg94
M
Back
Top