centurion316 wrote: “I have extended experience with the M-79 and the M-203, including in combat. The M-79 was simple and lightweight, but dangerous due to the inadequate safety.”
I’ve known several Vietnam company commanders who refused to issue the M203 to their troops. They preferred the M79 since it was their experience that their gunners would fire the one round in the M203 and then go full rock and roll with their M16. Refusing to issue the M203 ensured their gunners would continue to provide grenade fire.
I was a rifle company commander. When I took command, we had already been issued the M203’s, so I made do. Every chance we had, I had the grenadiers practicing with their M-203’s with point targets. That made a difference, but with the M-79 you could see the target and see the end of the barrel which made it much easier to hit with a first round.