MK19 HEAVY GRENADE LAUNCHER
Conditions: You are a member of a team conducting combat operations. You have a stoppage while engaging targets with your grenade launcher.
Understanding This Task
The MK19 is a belt-fed, crew-served grenade launcher firing 40mm grenades. Like the M2, it requires a double-charge to load — pull both charger handles twice.
Unique feature: When clearing, you must ride the bolt forward by squeezing the trigger while easing it — this is the ONLY weapon where riding the bolt is correct procedure.
Cleaning rod required: During unload, you need a cleaning rod or tool to force a spent round off the bolt face through the bottom of the gun.
Common NO-GO Mistakes
- Only charging once — must double-charge to fully load
- Not catching the live round as it ejects during immediate action
- Forgetting cleaning rod to remove round from bolt face during unload
- Not rotating one charger handle up after charging
- Not riding bolt forward during clearing procedures
Starting Configuration
Weapon: Assembled, prepared for firing, free of ammunition, on FIRE, bolt forward.
Equipment: Belt of dummy ammunition and cleaning rod or tool for removal.
Position: Seated (tripod) or standing (vehicle-mounted), not touching weapon.
Task Basis: 071-030-0001, 071-030-0005, 071-030-0008, 071-030-0006
Video Resources
- Double-charge to load the MK19 — pull both charger handles twice.
- Cleaning rod required to remove spent round from bolt face during unload.
- MK47 is an authorized substitute — use that weapon's TM standards.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
0/5 GO-
1
Clear the weapon
- Place safety switch to SAFE. Remove case catch bag if applicable.
- Charge: pull both charger handles to rear, ensuring bolt locks to rear. Return both handles to forward position. Rotate only one charger handle up.
- Open top cover assembly. Check for rounds on bolt, on/below feed tray, and feeder pawls.
- Return bolt to forward position. Place on FIRE. Hold one charger handle to rear. Ride bolt forward by squeezing trigger and easing bolt forward.
- Ensure both charger handles are forward and in up position. Place safety on SAFE.
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2
Load the weapon
- Attach feed throat to feeder — squeeze spring-loaded pins, insert into slots on sides of feeder.
- Insert round through feed throat (female first) into feeder. Push across first set of feeder pawls, ensuring straight and firmly seated against bolt.
- Push secondary drive lever to right and close top cover assembly.
- Double-charge: Pull both charger handles to rear (bolt locks). Return handles forward and up. Place on FIRE. Squeeze trigger (bolt slams forward). Pull both charger handles to rear again. Return forward and up.
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3
Attempt to fire until stoppage occurs
- Fire weapon until a stoppage occurs.
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4
Take immediate action
- Hold weapon on target. Pull bolt to the rear. Catch live round as it ejects.
- Push both charger handles forward to up position.
- Attempt to re-engage target. Expend remaining ammunition.
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5
Unload and clear the weapon CRITICAL
- Place safety on SAFE. Remove case catch bag if applicable.
- Charge: pull both charger handles to rear (bolt locks). Return forward. Rotate one handle up.
- Remove live round or spent case from bolt face: insert tip of cleaning rod or tool through receiver rail, close to bolt face, tip on top of round. Position hand beneath weapon to catch round. Force round off bolt face and out bottom of gun.
- Open top cover assembly. Remove linked rounds from feeder. Press and hold primary and secondary positioning pawls. Slide linked rounds out of feeder and feed throat.
- Return bolt to forward position. Place on FIRE. Hold one charger handle to rear. Ride bolt forward by squeezing trigger and easing forward. Ensure both handles forward and up. Place on SAFE.