| Machine Gun, Caliber 7.62 mm, M219 | |
|---|---|
 M219 Machine Gun | |
| Type | Machine gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service |
|
| Used by | U.S./NATO-aligned countries |
| Wars | Vietnam War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1950s |
| Produced | 1950s — 1970s |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | |
| Length | 48 in (1,219.2 mm) |
| Barrel length | 24 in (609.6 mm) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Action | Recoil-operated/short-recoil operation with gas assist |
| Rate of fire | 500-625 round/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,800 ft/s (853.44 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 984 yd (899.8 m) |
| Maximum firing range | 4,000 yd (3,657.6 m) |
| Feed system | Belt Feed, left or right hand |
The M73 and M219 are 7.62 mm NATO caliber machine guns designed for tank use. It is no longer in use by NATO countries. They were used on the M48 Patton and M60 Patton MBT series (including the M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle), as well as the MBT-70 prototype vehicles, and on the M551 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance / Airborne Assault Vehicle (AR/AAV). They were also used in a twin mount in the turret of the V-100 Commando (M706) light armored car during the Vietnam War.