service

Service
Mk 19 40 mm grenade launcher during MIL-EX 2003
A U.S. Marine firing a turret-mounted Mk 19

It was originally fielded by the U.S. Navy in Vietnam for river patrol boats, but was adopted and improved upon by the U.S. Army.

The Israeli Defence Forces also adopted the weapon (under the name "Maklar" - Mikla Rimonim = Grenade machinegun), fielding it in infantry and mechanized units.

Sweden made the Mk 19 under license as the Grksp 40 mm grenade launcher. Taiwan has this made under license as the Type

83 made by the Combined Service Forces.The Mk 19 has been used by American forces in Somalia (1993) and in Iraq (1991) by special forces operating behind enemy lines and Military Police. It is currently in widespread use in the U.S. Military.

The Polish Army bought a number of Mk 19 grenade launchers for their armed forces - used mostly in Afghanistan

The Mexican Army uses the Mk 19 extensively in its war with powerful drug cartels.