MK19 - 40 mm Grenade Machine Gun

40 mm

It is designed to not overheat even after prolonged firing

The gun cradle for the MK19

An air-cooled, blow back operated, belt-fed machine gun that is fed by a disintegrating metallic-link belt and fires 40mm grenade cartridges

43.1inches

2,212meters

798ft per second

No

1 mil

The MK19 has a blade-type front sight attached to the top cover assembly and a leaf-type rear sight (with an adjustable range plate) mounted on a spring dovetail base. The rear sight range plate is incremented in 100-meter intervals from 300 to 1500 meters. Range changes are made using either the slide release or the elevation wheel. The rear sight is also adjustable for windage

• System weight (Gun, Cradle and Tripod with feed throat) = 143 lbs
• MK19 with feed throat = 78 lbs
• MK64 = 21 lbs
• M3 (tripod) = 44 lbs

FM 3-22.27

500 lbs

In a Firing Situation:

1. Move the safety switch to S (SAFE).
2. Open the top cover assembly. If all the ammunition has NOT been fired, the bolt is to the rear and a round is on the bolt face. If the bolt is forward, lock it to the rear
3. Take the ammunition from the feed tray by reaching beneath the feed tray and pressing the primary and secondary positioning pawls. While pressing the position pawls, slide the linked rounds out of the MK 19 through the feed throat.
4. Insert a section of the cleaning rod or bayonet through either side of the receiver rail. Place it on top of the live round or cartridge case, as close to the bolt face as possible, and push down. This action forces the round out of the MK 19.
5. Lower and pull both charger handles to the rear.
6. Inspect the chamber and bolt face to ensure that no live rounds are in the weapon.
7. Place the safety switch on F (FIRE) (Figure 2-6).
8. Maintain rearward pressure on the charging handle, press the trigger and ease the bolt forward.
9. Place the safety switch on S (SAFE).

In a Non-Firing Situation:

1. Place the safety switch on S (SAFE) (Figure 2-6).
2. Open the top cover assembly.
3. Lower one or both charger handles.
4. Pull the charger handle slightly to the rear.
5. Allow sufficient space between the face of the bolt and the chamber to see both.
6. Check for live ammunition.
7. Ride the bolt forward.
8. Return the charger handle to its original upright position.

During peace time and training:

1. The gunner ensures the safety of other personnel and clears the weapon of ammunition by performing the following steps in sequence:
   
   • Clear the area of personnel.
   • Pull bolt to the rear. If the bolt does not go to the rear, go to BOLT JAMMED.
   • Catch the live round as it is ejected.
   • Push the charging handles forward and up.
   • Put the gun on S (SAFE) and check for any bore obstructions.
   • If bore is clear, move safety switch from the S (SAFE) to the F (FIRE) position, and attempt to fire.
   • If nothing happens, put gun on S (SAFE) and wait 10 seconds.
   • Pull the bolt to the rear.
   • Catch the live round as it is ejected.
   • Open the top cover and clear the ammunition.
   • Check bore for any obstructions.
2. Charge the MK 19 in the normal manner and check to see the primary pawls have clicked up behind the cartridge in front of the bolt face and that the secondary pawls have clicked up behind the next round before firing. The feed pawls should click up within the 1-inch of charging handle travel.
3. If the primary and secondary pawls do not click up within the last 1-inch of charging travel,follow these procedures:
   
   • Turn the MK 19 into unit level maintenance.
   • Record ammo lot number, type of ammo, number of rounds fired, serial number of the MK 19 and indicate whether ammo is linked with one-piece or two-piece links.

During Combat:

1. Press charger handle locks and rotate charger handles down.
2. Pull charger handles to the rear until the bolt sears.
3. Push charger handles forward and rotate charger handles up and lock.
4. Relay and fire.
5. Turn in live rounds that cycled through the weapon as instructed by current directives.