Performance Specifications
The MK19 Mod 3 was developed and tested to meet the U.S. Government’s stringent operational performance requirements. These requirements provide the users with a weapon that works consistently and reliably in demanding combat environments.
Rate of Fire: 325 rounds/minute minimum. All guns are measured during production acceptance testing.
Targeting and Accuracy: 3-round burst must strike a 14-meter square target at 1,000 meters. Production acceptance based on all rounds striking 84-cm square target at a distance of 60 meters.
Belt Pull: MK19 must function with a 28-round hanging belt. Production acceptance based on firing a 3-round belt with an equivalent 25-round weight hanging from the belt.
Remote Firing: Must operate with solenoid-controlled triggering.
MK 19 Mod 3 Reliability
Saco Defense and the U.S. Government conduct reliability tests of the MK19 Mod 3. These tests insure that Saco production meets all reliability requirements. Reliability requirements are:
- Barrel Life-10,000 rounds minimum
- Receiver Life-25,000 rounds minimum
- Stoppages-1,000 Mean Rounds Between Stoppage (MRBS) minimum
- Failures-3,300 Mean Rounds Between Failures (MRBF) minimum
Description
Basically, the MK19 Mod 3 40mm grenade launcher is a blowback-operated, air-cooled, 40mm fully-automatic machine gun, firing 40mm grenades at a rate of 325 to 375 per minute. The effective range is 1500 meters with an extended range out to 2500 meters. The firing system is “advance primer ignition,” meaning that the firing pin will activate the primer 3/8″ out of battery before the round is fully chambered.
To operate, first point the weapon downrange. Then the feed box with belt is placed in position on the mount, or next to it if you are using the M3 ground mount (same as the M2-HB uses, with a different cradle). Make sure the bolt is forward - don’t slam fire it - ease it forward. With the cover open, lay the first round in the belt in the feed tray, female side of the link first - push it across the first pawl - do not “roll” it, the pawl won’t do its job. This leaves the round between the first and second pawl. Make sure that the rounds are straight and firmly seated. Move the feed slide assembly to the left, then close the top cover(!). Grab the handles (palm down), rotate them to horizontal, then pull the chargers sharply to the rear. Push them to for ward, and rotate the handles up. To load your first round, place the safety in the “fire” position, and press the trigger. The bolt will spring forward - you have now loaded the first round onto the bolt face. Pull the chargers sharply to the rear (Yes, y ou need to charge twice). You now have a live round on the bolt face, to the rear, ready to fire. Push the charger handles forward and rotate up, the MK19 will not fire if the charging handles are not in the “up” position. Now, place the safety on “safe” unt il ready to fire.