Smith and Wesson M76
Smith and Wesson
The history of the Model 76 submachine gun began in April 1966 when Smith & Wesson's DC sales representative was contacted by the US Navy Department about designing a 9mm submachine gun for the SEALs in Vietnam. The SEALs preferred the Swedish Carl Gustaf m/45, but Sweden, a neutral country, objected to its use in war, cutting off supply.
The M76 was developed from scratch based on SEALs' requirements: urgency, reliability, ruggedness, selective fire (safe, semi-automatic, full automatic), cost-effectiveness, easy maintenance, a 36-round magazine, and a preferred cyclic rate of 600-800 rounds per minute. Dwayne W. Charron, head of the project, noted he had no prior experience with the Swedish K. The M76, like the Carl Gustaf, fired 9mm rounds and had an open bolt design.
SEALs requested suppressors to reduce noise and muzzle flash, although some sound remained due to the open bolt system. Prioritized due to the war, the M76 went from concept to production in nine months, skipping cosmetic finishing to meet urgent demand.
Smith & Wesson stopped production in 1974 due to low market demand. Despite this, the M76 became popular in action movies of the 1970s and 1980s, such as "Prime Cut," "The Omega Man," "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three," and "The Dark Knight."
SPECS:
- Designed: 1967
- Manufacturer: Smith and Wesson
- Produced: 1967-1974
- Weight: Unloaded: 7.25 lb
- Loaded: 8.75 lb
- Length: Stock folded: 22.5"
- Stock extended: 30.50"
- Barrel length: 8"
- Rate of fire: 720 rounds/min
