Description

While many attribute the Smith and Wesson manufacturer with world-class revolvers and handguns, they have produced various other weapon platforms, such as this M76 submachine gun. During the Vietnam War, America was intent on purchasing Swedish-made Karl Gustav M/45Ds for use among Navy SEAL units however, due to their anti-war sentiments, the Swedish government refused sale of the weapons to the US. Recognizing the potential, in 1966 Smith and Wesson began to engineer a clone of the M/45 for sale to the US military. The M76 was ready for production in 1967 however, the high demand for such a weapon no longer existed and very few models were ever adopted by the US military. Smith and Wesson later marketed the firearm to law enforcement agencies, where it found some popularity among SWAT units as the standard entry gun for close-quarters combat until it was replaced by the H&K MP5.