M29 mortar

M29
Type	Infantry mortar
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1952–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Korean War Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War Lebanese Civil War Salvadoran Civil War
Specifications
Mass	23.4 kilograms (52 lb) (M5 mount) 9.3 kilograms (21 lb) (M1 mount)
Caliber	81 mm (3.2 in)
Feed system	manual

The M29 is an American-produced 81 millimeter mortar. It began replacing the M1 mortar in U.S. service in 1952 being lighter and with greater range. It was subsequently replaced by the M252 mortar in 1987. Variants included the M29E1 and M29A1, adopted in 1964. These were produced with a hard chrome-plated bore to prolong barrel life and ease of cleaning.^{[citation needed]}

The maximum rate of fire of the M29 is 27 rounds per minute, while the sustained rate of fire is 4 rounds per minute; For the M29A1 model, the maximum rate of fire is 30 rounds per minute with a sustained rate of fire of 5 rounds per minute.^{[1]: 483–484}

The range varies depending on the type of ammunition used:^{[1]: 624–625}

HE M374A2 (High Explosive): Minimum range 72 metres (79 yd), maximum range 4,595 metres (5,025 yd).
HE M362A1 (High Explosive): Minimum range 46 metres (50 yd), maximum range 3,987 metres (4,360 yd).
HE M43A1B1 (High Explosive): Minimum range 69 metres (75 yd), maximum range 3,890 metres (4,250 yd).
WP M375A2 (White Phosphorus): Minimum range 72 metres (79 yd), maximum range 4,737 metres (5,180 yd).
WP M370 (White Phosphorus): Minimum range 52 metres (57 yd), maximum range 3,987 metres (4,360 yd).
M301A3 (Illumination): Minimum range 100 metres (110 yd), maximum range 3,150 metres (3,440 yd).
M301A2 (Illumination): Minimum range 100 metres (110 yd), maximum range 2,150 metres (2,350 yd).

The weapon was usually serviced by a crew of five.^{[1]: 483–484}