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Milkor MGL — Description
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The Milkor MGL (Multiple Grenade Launcher) is a lightweight 40 mm six-shot revolver-type grenade launcher (variations also fire 37/38mm) 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 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 50 countries. 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, then 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.

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 40×46mm grenades. The spring-driven cylinder rotates automatically while firing, but it must be wound back up after every reloading.

Features

A South African soldier equipped with a Milkor Y2 MKI MGL. Variants have been in South African Army service since 1983

A Malaysian PASKAU airman equipped with a Milkor M32 MGL fitted with Armson OEG reflex sight.
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
The Y2, amongst other models, is equipped with the Armson Occluded Eye Gunsight (OEG), a collimator sight which provides a single aiming post. The shooter aims with both eyes open and the post is superimposed onto the target, both being in focus. The OEG on the Y2 is designed as an aid to range estimation, the post being equal to the height of a man at 200 metres. It is also fitted with tritium illumination for low light operation which has a life of at least ten years. The range quadrant is graduated in 25 m increments.

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

Type Revolver grenade launcher
Place of origin South Africa And United States
Service history
In service 1983–present
Used by See Users
Wars Rwandan Civil War
Colombian conflict
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Iraq War
Syrian Civil War[1]
Central African Republic Civil War (2012–present)
2013 Lahad Datu standoff
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Production history
Designer Andries C. Piek[2]
Designed 1980
Manufacturer Milkor (Pty) Ltd
Produced 1983–present
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Mass 5.3 kg (12 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)
Barrel length 300 mm (11.8 in) (MGL)
200 mm (7.9 in) (M32A1)
Cartridge 40×46mm grenade
40×51mm grenade (SuperSix)
Action Double-action
Rate of fire 3 rounds/sec (MGL) (rapid fire)
18-21 rounds/min (sustained)
Muzzle velocity 75 m/s (250 ft/s) (MGL), 125 m/s (410 ft/s) (XRGL40)
Effective firing range 400 m (440 yd)
800 m (870 yd) (ERLP ammunition)
Maximum firing range 400 m
Feed system 6-round, revolver-type swing out cylinder
Sights Armson OEG collimator sight in quadrant (MGL)
M2A1 reflex sight (M32)