Originally developed in the late 1960s, the S&W Model 76 was designed to fill the niche of a lightweight and compact 9mm SMG after the American special forces community was cut off from sources of the Carl Gustaf M45 "Swedish K" SMG; the Swedish government, neutral in the Vietnam War, was uncomfortable with their exports being used in the conflict. Fixed blade and peep sights on the tubular receiver, with an ambidextrous "FULL"/"SEMI"/"SAFE" selector switch, perforated heat shield, checkered pistol grip and a side folding buttstock with rubberized covering.