Practical Guide to the Operational Use of the MK19 MOD3 Grenade Launcher. Erik Lawrence

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СКАЧАТЬ Launcher competently. The manual will give the reader background/specifications of the weapon, instructions on its operation, disassembly and assembly; proper firing procedure; and malfunction/misfire procedures. Operator level maintenance will also be detailed to allow the reader to understand and become competent in the use and maintenance of the MK19, Mod 3 Grenade Launcher.

      Description

      The MK19 is an air-cooled, blowback-operated machine gun with five major assemblies. A disintegrating metallic link belt feeds ammunition through the left side of the weapon.

      The MK19 supports the soldier in both the offense and defense. It gives the unit the capability of laying down a heavy volume of close, accurate, and continuous fire. The MK19 can also:

      •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.

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