The Forgotten SMG: Smith & Wesson M76

The Smith & Wesson M76: Discover how this submachine gun, designed in just nine months to meet a laundry list of special ops requirements, became the quirky, rough-edged underdog that history almost forgot. THANKS Americana Pipe Dream! Discount code ADMIN MERCH: PATREON: LINKTREE: 00:00 Taakariche Baklavanana 02:38 The Swedish K and Vietnam 03:12 Swedes are buttmad about Vietnam 03:48 Smith & Wesson 04:23 Price 04:37 M76 use in combat 05:41 Thanks Apex Gun parts! 06:07 How does it stack up to the Swedish K? 06:36 M76 in the movies 07:42 Thanks Americana Pipedream! 8:00 Manual of arms 11:19 Breaking down the gun 12:36 Grouping test 13:02 The Smith & Wesson Model 76 13:25 How I acquired the M76 The Smith & Wesson M76 is a submachine gun that has an interesting history. It was designed in the early 1960s by American firearms designers Carl Hellstrom, Robert Hillberg, and Kenneth J. Linton. The M76 was developed as a more cost-effective alternative to the Swedish Carl Gustav M/45 submachine gun, which was in use by the U.S. military under the designation M/45. Development (1966): The M76 was designed and developed in 1966, with the intention of meeting the U.S. military’s demand for a reliable and affordable submachine gun. Features: The M76 was a selective-fire weapon, capable of both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire. It had a folding stock, which made it more compact for transport and storage. The gun featured a simple blowback operation and used a double-stack, single-feed magazine with a capacity of around 36 rounds. Military Adoption: The M76 was adopted by the U.S. Navy SEALs during the Vietnam War. It saw limited use in special operations, primarily due to its compact design and reliable performance. Production Issues: Despite its initial adoption, the M76 faced production issues and was eventually dropped from the U.S. military’s inventory in the early 1970s. The manufacturing costs were higher than anticipated, and there were reported problems with quality control. Civilian Sales: After its military service, the Smith & Wesson M76 became available for civilian sales. However, due to its relatively short production life and limited military use, it is considered a rare and collectible firearm today. Legacy: The Smith & Wesson M76 left a mark in firearms history as a unique submachine gun with an unconventional design. Its use by special forces and subsequent rarity contribute to its status as a sought-after collector’s item. While the Smith & Wesson M76 had a relatively short service life and faced challenges during production, it remains an interesting piece of military firearm history. The number of existing M76 firearms significantly decreased as many were lost or destroyed during the collapse of the Twin Towers. New York City had stored several hundred of these firearms in its basement. Intro Music Produced By Fuzzeke