Smith & Wesson M76

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	Weapon: Smith & Wesson M76 Type: Submachine Gun Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1967 Caliber: 9mm Luger Action: Blow Back Fully Automatic Overall Length (mm): 800.0 Weight (kg): 3.00 Effective Range (m): 100

The Smith & Wesson M76 is an American-made submachine gun designed in the 1960s as a replacement for the Swedish Carl Gustaf m/45, which was no longer being imported due to an arms embargo. The M76 features a simple blowback operation, is chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, and is equipped with a tubular receiver and side-folding metal stock. Its straightforward design includes a cyclic rate of approximately 720 rounds per minute and the ability to use 36-round detachable box magazines. The weapon's rugged construction and ease of use made it suitable for harsh combat conditions.

Production of the M76 began in 1967 and continued until 1974, with around 6,000 units manufactured. While initially intended for use by U.S. Navy SEALs and other special operations forces, the gun's deployment was relatively limited. Its design closely mirrored the Swedish m/45, but certain aspects, such as the reliability of magazines and machining quality, were seen as inferior. Despite these criticisms, the M76 found favor among some users due to its adaptability and effectiveness in close-quarters combat, particularly during the Vietnam War.

The Smith & Wesson M76 is remembered as a niche weapon that filled a specific gap in U.S. military and law enforcement armories during its time. Though its production run was relatively short, the gun became a collector's item and remains a symbol of the era's ingenuity in adapting foreign designs to meet domestic needs. Its appearance in films and popular media further contributed to its notoriety, cementing its place in the history of American submachine guns, even as it was eventually overshadowed by more modern designs.