Vintage Replica Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic extremely high quality Smith & Wesson M76 Police "Plug Fire" replica gun, made by the well-known Model Gun Corporation (MGC) of Japan. This is the first time that we have had one of these MGC M76s, and it's definitely a great example! It looks to have seen very little to no use, and comes complete in its original box with the original styrofoam packing material, which measures 24" x 10" x 4".
The condition is really very good, and it shows little sign of use, with the finish almost completely retained. There is a bit of surface oxidation from long storage, and it looks like for some reason some plastic tape was put between the grip and the receiver. As required by Japanese law at the time, almost the entire body of the gun is non-magnetic, made of high quality plastic with a lovely faux parkerized finish. Only the magazine, the stock, and other key pressure bearing components are made from steel.
These are incredible replicas that are almost superior to a dummy gun made from an original Parts Kit, which generally is welded. One can cock the bolt with the charging handle, pull the trigger, and the bolt slams forward! Unlike a much more expensive dummy gun that has none, if any, moveable parts. On an MGC, everything works!
The replica comes with a very good condition original 1980s box, and the original magazine. These work with replica "cartridges”, which have small caps "plugged" into the front of them, which are then detonated by the replica bolt. These were ejected like real spent cartridges, and could be reloaded with additional caps. There are unfortunately none of these included.
This example still bears the full markings, and is marked with MOD 76 079105 on the rear right receiver, which may be the model and serial number. It is also marked SMITH & WESSON on the left side, along with the full Model Gun Corporation information:
MODEL: SW/76
MG-BLK SMG-AUTO
MODELGUN CORP.
MADE IN JAPAN
There is also an MGC logo on the right side of the magazine well.
Other than that, this is a very nice replica and feels almost the same as the real thing! Great for reenactors and collectors alike.
All purchases are sent and need an adult signature which is required by UPS. Priority Mail is not available for this item. You must be 18 years old to purchase this model and 21 to sign for the package.
Not available for export or shipment to certain U.S. locations. Plug Fire ONLY. Cannot be converted to a functional weapon. Please read legal information for safety guidelines prior to purchasing.
The Smith & Wesson M76 submachine gun (SMG) was produced by Smith & Wesson from 1967 to 1974. The history of the Model 76 submachine gun started in April of 1966 with a call from Smith & Wesson's Washington, D.C. sales representative; he had been contacted by the US Navy Department to see if Smith & Wesson would be interested in designing and producing a 9mm submachine gun.
The US Navy had the need for a submachine gun for their SEAL special operations team in Vietnam. The SEALs' weapon of choice was the Swedish Carl Gustaf m/45―a well-made and reliable submachine gun. Because Sweden was a neutral country, a problem arose; they objected to their product being used in a war zone. Therefore, the supply of the Carl Gustaf m/45 to the US Navy was cut off, which meant they had to find another submachine gun to take its place.
Although they appear similar, the M76 was designed from scratch from a list of requirements, which the US Navy SEALs provided, they are:
- Urgent need;
- Reliability;
- Rugged;
- Selective Fire: safe—semi-automatic—full automatic;
- Cost effective;
- Ease of maintenance: disassembly—cleaning―reassembly
- Magazine capacity of 36 rounds; and
- Cyclic rate between 600 and 800 rounds per minute preferred.
It was from this list that the M76 was created. According to the Director of Research and Development and head of the Model 76 project at the time, Dwayne W. Charron, was quoted as saying, "[He] had never seen, held or fired a Swedish K before starting design work on the M76...". The M76 fires 9mm rounds; the Carl Gustaf m/45 has an open bolt design and also fires 9×19mm Parabellum ammunition.
The SEALs also requested a limited number of suppressors for the M76. These suppressors were to be used under certain situations to reduce the gun's sound and hide the flash so there would be no point of reference for return fire. Being an open bolt system, some sound would always be emitted, but the muzzle flash could be eliminated.
Due to the ongoing war and a critical need to fill, Smith & Wesson designated the M76 a top priority project. The total time to take the concept of the M76 from the drawing board to production was just nine months. Many people comment that the gun is ugly or rough. Due to the urgency at the time, the M76 skipped the finishing department where welds and rough edges would normally be smoothed.
Due to lack of market demand, Smith & Wesson ceased production of the M76 in 1974.
