M76 launcher on M14 Rifle

[RCS]

Not common to find any combat photos of the M14 rifle with the m76 launcher. My photo shows US Rangers in Viet Nam, note the M76 launcher, these could have been used for smoke or signal grenade too

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[browningautorifle]

Yes, launcher...reversed photo negative too. Also the navy had a line throwing rig for the M14 with launcher. But you knew that...

Now off topic, is that an M1 Thompson in the bow of the rear boat?

[Paul S.]

Army Rangers or Marines? They appear to be wearing USMC caps.

[CINDERS]

The outline of it Jim it appears to be a Thompson without the compensator on it (Enlarged)

[RCS]

The photo caption said US Army Rangers ? That is an M1 Thompson in the boat behind them. Anyone notice the tape around the hand guard and stock ?
never saw that before !

[jond41403]

Do you reckon the tape was for accuracy sake?would taping that area result in less movement which would improve accuracy?kinda like the type 3 barrel band did for the M1 carbine?

[browningautorifle]

I'll bet the tape was against noise...loose handguard.

[Bruce Canfield]

There are a number of WWII vintage photos showing the forends of M1/M1A1 Thompsons reinforced with added metal bands or, in some cases, just tape.

[browningautorifle]

the forends of M1/M1A1 Thompsons reinforced

It was the tape around the M14 front ends that they were speculating on Bruce... My fault for going off topic.

Yes, the M1A1s apparently had an issue with the forestocks coming away from the barrels. I suppose the forestock tennon wasn't as hard as it could have been in those cases...allowing the sling to pull it away.

[Littlejohn]

Not common to find any combat photos of the M14 rifle with the m76 launcher.

Marines in Viet Nam:



I posted this photo on the M14 forum a while back, and asked if anyone had received training on the M76, or used one in RVN. Of those who responded, nearly all stated that they had never seen one in country. One Marine recalled launching grenades off of M1's in Infantry Training Regiment, in 1964.

The general consensus was that the M79 and M203 made rifle grenades obsolete in Viet Nam.