Practical Guide to the Operational Use of the MK19 MOD3 Grenade Launcher. Erik Lawrence
•Protect motor movements, assembly areas, and in a bivouac.
•Defend against hovering rotary aircraft.
•Destroy lightly armored vehicles.
•Fire on suspected enemy positions.
•Provide high volumes of fire into an engagement area (EA).
•Cover obstacles.
•Provide indirect fire from defilade positions.
Figure 1-1 MK19 Mod 3
MK19 TECHNICAL DATA
| MK19 (MOD 3): | |
| Weight without feed throat | 77.6 pounds |
| Weight with feed throat | 78.0 pounds |
| Length | 43.1 inches |
| Width | 14.0 inches |
| Height | 8.8 inches |
| MK 64 (MOD 7) gun cradle: | |
| Weight | 21.0 pounds |
| Length | 17.5 inches |
| Height | 9.5 inches |
| Tripod (M3) weight: | 44.00 pounds |
| Gun and cradle: | Weight without feed throat - 98.6 pounds |
| Weight with feed throat - 99.0 pounds | |
| Gun, cradle, and tripod: | Weight without feed throat - 142.6 pounds |
| Weight with feed throat - 143.0 pounds | |
| Ammunition: | M430 (HEDP) |
| M383 (HE) | |
| M918 (TP) | |
| M922 (DUMMY) |
| Mounts: | M3 tripod |
| M4 pedestal | |
| M66 ring M918 (TP) | |
| HMMWV weapon platform M922 (dummy) | |
| M113 APC commander’s cupola | |
| MK 46 | |
| MK 93 Hydraulic |
NOTE: Keep the feed throat attached to the weapon
MK19 OPERATIONAL DATA
| Maximum range: | 2,212 meters |
| Maximum effective range: | 1,500 meters (point target) 2,212 meters (area target) |
| Rates of fire: | Sustained 40 rounds per minute Rapid 60 rounds per minute Cyclic 325 to 375 rounds per minute |
| Ammunition: | M430 HEDP 2-inch armor &15-meter casualty radius M383 HE 15-meter casualty radius |
| Service frequency: | 50,000 rounds |
| Elevation, tripod controlled: | 100 mils |
| Depression, tripod controlled: | 258 mils |
| Traverse, tripod controlled: | 800 mils (400 left plus 400 right) |
| Muzzle velocity (average): | 798 feet per second |
| Recoil forces (average): | 500 pounds |
| Angle of automatic fire: | 0 to 70 degrees elevation (automatic fire), based on mounting arrangements |
| Ammunition Weights: | 48 rounds in M548 metal container - 62 pounds 32 rounds in PA120 metal container - 42 pounds |
Background
Although the MK19 is a recent entry into the Army’s inventory, development began in 1963. The first version was a hand-cranked, multiple-grenade launcher called the MK 18. In 1966, the need for more firepower inspired the development of a self-powered 40mm machine gun called the MK19, MOD 0. This model was neither reliable nor safe enough for use as a military weapon system. Product improvements begun in 1971 resulted in the 1972 MOD 1, of which only six were produced. The MOD 1 performed effectively in Navy riverine patrol craft, and broader applications for the MK19 were found. In 1973, the Navy developed the MOD 2, which featured improved reliability, safety, and maintainability. In 1976, a complete redesign resulted in the MK19, MOD 3, which the Army adopted in 1983. The Army now uses the MK19 within the tactical environment for defense, retrograde, patrolling, rear area security, urban operations, and special operations.
Figure 1-2 Early MK19 Mod 2 on riverine patrol in Vietnam
Variants
HK GMG: GRENADE MACHINE GUN
Figure 1-3 HK GMG
Caliber: 40 x 53mm High-velocity Grenade
Length: 46.5 inches/1180mm
Width: 8.9 inches/226mm
Height: 11inches/280mm
Weight unloaded: 62 pounds/29 Kg
Barrel length: 8.9 inches/226mm
The HK Grenade Machine Gun is presently being fielded with select U.S. Special Operations units, replacing the U.S. MK19 GMG. The HK GMG is available from series production at a unit cost well below the purchase cost of the MK19.