thumper

n. a grenade launcher; (hence) a gun known more for its power or noise than for its precision; any gun. Subjects: English, United States, Firearms

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Citations: 1986 Joe Doggett Houston Chronicle (Nov. 20) “Is the .270 caliber the ‘top gun’ of Texas?” p. 10: The .243 has excellent accuracy, minimal recoil, and surprising clout (with a 100-grain factory bullet), making it a good choice for a light-framed youngster or lady, or any shooter skittish of “kick.” But it’s not the buck-thumper that the bigger guns are. It is best used in regions where mature bucks field dress under 100 pounds. 1989 Barbara Reynolds USA Today (Jan. 27) “Fear is knowing an AK-47 owner” p. 11A: I’ve had to join the arms race and get a “thumper,” a 40 mm over-the-shoulder grenade launcher. 1992 Peter Hernon St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Mo.) (June 2) “Gang Slang Police Compile New Glossary Of Street Talk” p. 1A: That banger’s thumper is a double-deuce, and he packs a gauge. Translation: That gang member’s pistol is a .22, and he carries a shotgun. 1994 [Norman F. Johnson (njohnson@nosc.mil)] Usenet: rec.guns (Apr. 7) “Re: Charter Arms Bulldog 44spl.”: To make things even more out of balance, the Ruger has a .449” bore. It is a real shooter tho when .455” bullets are used and I use it for my “thumper” loads. 1995 [Brandon Ivie (bji6049@u.cc.utah.edu)] Usenet: rec.games.mecha (Oct. 18) “New Cappellan Mech!”: Originally the designers wanted to mount a “long tom” or a “thumper” as the mech’s “main gun” but these proved far too “large” so they settled for the Schlong 2,000 Large Pulse Laser. 1996 [Ken Marsh (kmarsh@charm.net)] Usenet: rec.guns (June 16) “Re: HARD KICKING 45-70’s & 444 Marlins”: They key to shooting any powerful gun, and especially a thumper, is to roll with it, not fight it. 2004 [Mugzi AKA Mugzilla] Raptalk.net (June 30) “Re: i guess i’ll be tha first…”: what is 30/30?what do that mean?well its a protector a pumkin buster a thumper a wig splitter meaning a Heater. 2004 Matt O'Connor, David Heinzmann Chicago Tribune (Aug. 7) “Patterson virulently answers charges”: During his unsuccessful bid for the Illinois House this spring, Aaron Patterson brokered a heroin deal and talked of his need to acquire “thumpers,” street slang for guns, federal prosecutors alleged Friday.

Posted 9 Aug 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

“thumper” was standard military slang for the Vietnam-era M-79 40mm grenade launcher, or for variants used in armed helicopters.

A less common name for it was “blooper”.

/s/globalnomad

by globalnomad 13 Aug 04, 0139 GMT

I need to find out what a “five” is. And this person was african american talking to a friend about something he had in the trunk of his car. He also mentioned it was “clean”.And also about respect. I thought maybe it was a gun, but did not see one. (I was peeking out my blinds after being woken up at Midnight)Can anyone enlighten me please?

by Robbi 31 Jul 06, 0409 GMT