Milkor MGL

MGL
A U.S. Marine looks through the M2A1 reflex sight on a newly-issued M32 MGL (MGL-140) in Iraq in 2006.
Type	Grenade launcher
Place of origin	South Africa
Service history
In service	1983–present
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Andries C Piek[1]
Designed	1980
Manufacturer	Milkor (Pty) Ltd
Produced	1983–present
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	5.3 kg (11.68 lb)
Length	778 mm (30.6 in) stock extended / 565 mm (22.2 in) stock folded (MGL) 812 mm (32.0 in) stock extended / 711 mm (28.0 in) stock folded (MGL-140) 775 mm (30.5 in) stock extended / 674 mm (26.5 in) stock folded (MGL-105) 756 mm (29.8 in) stock extended / 676 mm (26.6 in) stock folded (XRGL40)
Barrel length	300 mm (11.8 in) (MGL) 260 mm (10.2 in) (XRGL40)
Cartridge	40x46mm grenade 40x51mm grenade (XRGL40)
Action	Double action
Rate of fire	3 rounds/sec (MGL) (rapid fire) 2 rounds/sec (XRGL40) (rapid fire) 18-21 rounds/min (sustained)
Muzzle velocity	76 m/s (249 ft/s) (MGL) 125 m/s (410.1 ft/s) (XRGL40)
Effective range	375 m 800 m (ERLP ammunition)
Maximum range	400 m
Feed system	6-Round, Revolving, Swing Out-Type Cylinder
Sights	Armson OEG Collimator sight in quadrant, M2A1 reflex sight (M32}

The MGL (Multiple Grenade Launcher) is a lightweight 40 mm semi-automatic, 6-shot grenade launcher developed and manufactured in South Africa by Milkor (Pty) Ltd. The MGL was demonstrated as a concept to the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1981. The operating principle was immediately accepted and subjected to a stringent qualification program. The MGL was then officially accepted into service with the SADF as the Y2. After its introduction in 1983, the MGL was gradually adopted by the armed forces and law enforcement organizations of over 30 countries; it has since been used in harsh environments ranging from rain forests to deserts. Total production since 1983 has been more than 50,000 units.

The MGL is a multiple-shot weapon, intended to significantly increase a small squad's firepower when compared to traditional single-shot grenade launchers like the M203. The MGL is designed to be simple, rugged, and reliable. It uses the well-proven revolver principle to achieve a high rate of accurate fire which can be rapidly brought to bear on a target. A variety of rounds such as HE, HEAT, anti-riot baton, irritant, and pyrotechnic can be loaded and fired as fast as the trigger can be pulled; the cylinder can be loaded or unloaded rapidly to maintain a high rate of fire. Although intended primarily for offensive and defensive use with high-explosive rounds, with appropriate ammunition the launcher is suitable for anti-riot and other security operations. A newly patented modification allows the MGL to fire less lethal (very low pressure) rounds.

Design details

Operating mechanism

The MGL is a low-velocity, shoulder-fired 40 mm grenade launcher with a six-round spring-driven revolver-style magazine capable of accepting most 40x46mm grenades. The spring-driven cylinder rotates automatically while firing, but it must be wound back up after every reloading.

Features

The MGL grenade launcher consists of a lightweight, progressively rifled steel barrel, sight assembly, frame with firing mechanism, spring-actuated revolving cylinder magazine, and a folding stock. The weapon has a fire selector safety switch just above the rear pistol grip which can be operated from either side. The launcher cannot be accidentally discharged if dropped.

The launcher is loaded by releasing the cylinder axis pin and swinging the steel frame away from the cylinder. The rear of the cylinder (including the pistol grip) is unlatched and pivoted counter-clockwise to expose the chambers during reloading. By inserting the fingers into the empty chambers and rotating the aluminium cylinder it is then wound against its driving spring. The grenades are then inserted into the chambers, one-by-one (because the cylinder cannot be removed), the frame closed, and the axis pin re-engaged to lock. When the trigger is pressed a double-action takes place and the firing pin is cocked and released to fire the grenade. Gas pressure on a piston unlocks the cylinder and allows the spring to rotate it until the next chamber is aligned with the firing pin, whereupon the next round can be fired. If a misfire occurs the trigger can be pulled repeatedly.

Sights

Some models of the MGL are equipped with the Armson Occluded Eye Gunsight (OEG)^{[citation needed]}; a blind collimator sight which provides a single aiming dot. The shooter aims with both eyes open and the effect is to see the aiming spot superimposed on the target, both target and aiming dot being in sharp focus. The launcher is also fitted with an artificial boresight which can be used to zero the sight. The OEG sight includes a tritium radio-luminous lamp which provides the spot contrast and which has a life of approximately 10 years. The Armson sight was designed to be used to determine the range to the target and instantly adjusted. It enables the user to increase the hit probability at ranges up to 375 m. The range quadrant is graduated in 25 m increments and aim is automatically compensated for drift.

Accessories

Each MGL is supplied with a sling, a cleaning kit and a user's manual.

Variants

Loading 40 mm grenades into the launcher.

Several upgrades were made to the original design in the last decade. After over 12 years of production and more than a decade of user feedback from different countries around the world it became evident that a redesign of some component groups would make the weapon even more user-friendly and reliable, while at the same time simplifying maintenance. This development, known as the MGL Mk 1 was introduced to the market in 1996. All weapons previously supplied can be upgraded to the Mk 1 configuration. Parts, such as the steel barrel, are interchangeable with a minimum of workshop modifications involving a few special tools and cutting dies.

Two "product improved" variants were introduced in 2004 by Milkor USA. The first is the Mk 1S, which replaces the aluminum frame of the Mk 1 with a stronger stainless steel body, a conventional trigger unit, and Picatinny rail support at the top, sides and bottom of the forend. The second variant is the MGL-140 or Mk 1L, with the same features as the Mk 1S, but with a 140 mm (5.5 in) long cylinder to fit special-purpose grenades such as tear gas canisters and less-lethal impact rounds that are too long to fit in the other models shorter cylinder. The MGL-140/Mk 1L also features a sliding buttstock.^[2]

In 2005 the U.S. Marine Corp procured 200 US made Milkor MGL-140's, designating it the "M32 Multiple shot Grenade Launcher" (M32 MGL, or M32 MSGL). They were initially fielded tested in 2006. The US Marine Corps M32 version is equipped with the M2A1 reflex sight.^[3] It is a “AAA” battery powered sight with “IR” settings for night operations. It has Picatinny rail attachment and elevation adjusts in 25 meter increments and compensates for drift.^[4]

Mark 14 - a variant developed for USSOCOM. Compared to the M32, the Mk14 features a shorter barrel (8 inches instead of 12). The Mk 14 weighs the same as the M32 as its receiver, stock and other parts of the weapon were made stronger in anticipation for “medium velocity” round sought by USSOCOM, which could extend its range 400 meters farther than the M32, to between 600-1,000 meters.^[5]

Users

•  Bangladesh: Used by the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force.^[6]
•  Brazil^[7]
•  Colombia: Designated RBG-6.^[8]
•  Croatia: Locally produced, designated RBG-6.^[8]
•  Peru^[8]
•  South Africa: In service with the South African Army.^[8][9]
•  Sweden: In limited use by the Swedish Armed Forces, known as Granatkastargevär 90.^[8]
•  Taiwan: Mk 1 referred to as "flame projector gun", reflecting its use with yellow phosphorus rounds as a replacement to the old flamethrowers.^[10]
•  United States: Employed by the United States Marine Corps as the M32 MGL.^[11]

See also

• SAG-30
• Hawk MM-1

References

Notes

1. ^ http://www.milkor.com/about.html
2. ^ world.guns.ru, Milkor MGL Mk.1 40mm grenade launche
3. ^ globalsecurity.org, Home :: Military :: Systems :: Ground :: Small Arms :: Grenade Launcher : - M32 Multi-Shot Grenade Launcher Mk 14 Multi-Shot Grenade Launcher
4. ^ Acoratex, M2A1 Reflex Sight, page 17
5. ^ Use of multishot grenade launchers to grow, 3rd February 2009.
6. ^ http://www.bdmilitary.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=217&Itemid=95
7. ^ http://www.exercito.gov.br/01inst/armtmuni/lancagrana.htm
8. ^ ^{a b c d e} Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
9. ^ http://www.army.mil.za/equipment/weaponsystems/infantry/Y2_Y3_Grenade_Launchers.htm
10. ^ http://mna.gpwb.gov.tw/mnanew/internet/NewsDetail.aspx?GUID=28130
11. ^ http://www.defensereview.com/marines-get-new-six-shot-40mm-grenade-launcher-meet-the-m32-mgl

External links

• Milkor (Pty) Ltd
• Martin Electronics, Inc. – 40 mm ammunition
• M433 40 mm HEDP grenade specs
• The Infantry's Explosive Punch (Asian Military Review article)