Automatic grenade launcher developed by the Navy for Riverine Craft and used today mainly as a close-in weapon against small boats.
Quoting from FM 3-22.27: "Although the MK 19 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 40-mm machine gun called the MK 19, 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 MK 19 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 MK 19, MOD 3, which the Army adopted in 1983. The Army now uses the MK 19 within the tactical environment for defense, retrograde, patrolling, rear area security, urban operations, and special operations."
| Designation | 40 mm Mark 19 Mod 3 Grenade MG |
|---|---|
| First Ship Class Used On | Patrol Boats |
| Date Of Design | Mod 3: 1976 |
| Date In Service | Mod 3: 1977 |
| Gun Weight | 72.5 lbs. (32.9 kg) |
| Gun Length oa | 43.1 in (1.095 m) |
| Bore Length | 85.6 in (2.175 m) |
| Rifling Length | N/A |
| Grooves | N/A |
| Lands | N/A |
| Twist | N/A |
| Chamber Volume | N/A |
| Rate Of Fire | Cyclic: 325 - 375 rounds per minute
Rapid: 60 rounds per minute Sustained: 40 rounds per minute |
Mean rounds between failure exceeds 20,000 rounds.
| Type | Fixed |
|---|---|
| Weight of Complete Round | 11.6 oz (0.33 kg) |
| Projectile Types and Weights | M430 HE-DP - N/A
(anti-armor and anti-personnel) |
| Bursting Charge | 1.6 oz (45 g) RDX |
| Projectile Length | N/A
Complete Round: 4.4 in (11.2 cm) |
| Propellant Charge | N/A |
| Cartridge | 40 x 53 mm |
| Muzzle Velocity | 794 fps (242 mps) |
| Working Pressure | N/A |
| Approximate Barrel Life
(see Note 3) |
N/A |
| Ammunition stowage per gun | 62 rounds in M548 metal container
42 rounds in PA120 metal container |
- The M383 round originally issued for these weapons is obsolescent and rarely found in active units.
- Warhead does not arm until it has traveled about 20 to 33 yards (18 to 30 m). M430 has an anti-personnel radius of 17 yards (15 m).
| Elevation | Range |
|---|---|
| Effective Range @ 15 degrees at point target | 1,650 yards (1,500 m) |
| Maximum Range @ 25 degrees at area target | 2,240 yards (2,050 m) |
| Designation | Single: N/A |
|---|---|
| Weight | Gun and cradle: 99 lbs. (44.9 kg) |
| Elevation | 0 / +70 degrees |
| Rate of Elevation | Manual operation, only |
| Train | 360 degrees |
| Rate of Train | Manual operation, only |
| Gun Recoil | N/A |
"Jane's Ammunition Handbook: Ninth Edition 2000-2001" edited by Terry J. Gander and Charles Q. Cutshaw
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FM 3-22.27 (FM 23.27) "MK 19, 40-mm Grenade Machine Gun, MOD 3: November 2003" distributed by Headquarters, Department of the Army
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Federation of American Scientists (FAS)
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Updated 22 December 2006 - Benchmark
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