M319 grenade launcher: Difference between revisions

The '''M319 Individual Grenade Launcher''', more formally known as the '''Individual Grenade Launcher, Caliber 40mm, M319,'''<ref name="profile">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25434 '''Bungie.net''' - ''M319 IGL Ordnance Profile'']</ref> is a single-shot, break-action explosives launcher produced by [[Misriah Armory]] and used by the [[United Nations Space Command]], specifically the [[UNSC Army]]. Due to its simplicity, ruggedness, and firepower, it has been a mainstay weapon in the Army since its adoption in [[2263]] and has seen action in several armed conflicts during nearly three centuries of use, with the [[Human-Covenant War]] as the most prominent.<ref name="profile"/> It proved very effective during the [[Insurrection]]; although it is less effective against [[Energy shielding|energy shielded]] Covenant foes, it can be used to deadly effect against unshielded targets. Because of the weapon's reliability and power, it will likely continue to be fielded by the Army.<ref name="Waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/featured/gallery/grenade-launcher/da7b3469-943d-470c-8953-e2de668c8402 '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Grenade Launcher'']</ref> Sometime after the Human-Covenant War, [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IVs]] used this weapon in a [[UNSC Tactical Simulator|simulation]] against the [[Flood]] aboard the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.

The M319 IGL fires high-explosive dual-purpose grenades.<ref name="Waypoint"/> The grenade launcher has two firing modes. The first launches a single grenade: after hitting a surface, the grenade detonates on impact with an opponent or after about two seconds, in which case the grenade will explode after bouncing off the ground once. The second firing mode shoots a grenade that explodes when the user wishes. This is performed by holding down the trigger, which fires the grenade but merely primes it, leaving the detonation contents inert;<ref name="Waypoint"/> the grenade will only explode after the trigger is released. This enables the user to lay a trap if the grenade is bounced properly into position, and essentially creates an explosive with a dead-man's trigger, (a trigger that will go off once it is released, e.g. when the user dies). This function is also helpful if the user wishes to fire at targets that are farther away than the detonation timer would normally allow.

The weapon utilizes a [[wikipedia:Break-action|break-action]] [[wikipedia:Breech-loading|breech-loading]] system: after firing one round, the weapon must be reloaded, like many twentieth century shotguns.<ref name="profile"/>