Milkor MGL

Milkor MGL
Swedish Milkor MGL, 40 mm granatrevolver Armscor MGL (“shell revolver”)
Type	Revolver grenade launcher
Place of origin	South Africa
Service history
In service	1983–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Rwandan Civil War Colombian conflict Yugoslav Wars War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Iraq War Syrian Civil War[1] Central African Republic Civil War (2012–present) 2013 Lahad Datu standoff Second Nagorno-Karabakh War Russian invasion of Ukraine
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
Barrel length	300 mm (11.8 in)
Cartridge	40×46mm grenade
Action	Double-action
Rate of fire	3 rounds/sec (rapid fire) 18-21 rounds/min (sustained)
Muzzle velocity	75 m/s (250 ft/s)
Effective firing range	400 m (440 yd)
Feed system	6-round, revolver-type swing out cylinder
Sights	Armson OEG collimator sight in quadrant

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.