The M-4 commando mortar, also known as a patrol mortar, is a lightweight 60 mm commando mortar manufactured by Denel Land Systems., archived by the Internet Archive
Description As with other mortars of this type it is intended for rapid use over short ranges as a fire support weapon. It has a lanyard operated trigger mechanism in the breech which allows it to be carried loaded with a bomb, unlike other mortars that have fixed firing pins. The lack of a bipod means it is not as accurate as a conventional mortar and is unsuitable for sustained fire use. The sighting system incorporated in the handle consists of a pair of curved spirit levels one to indicate that it upright in the lateral plane and the other indicates the range with a charge table. Beta lights illuminate the sight for night use.
Ammunition It uses the M-61 series of bombs in high explosive, smoke, illumination and practice versions.
Variants M4: pulling a lanyard releases the firing mechanism M4 Mk 1: equipped with a fixed firing pin M4L3: version with simplified baseplate and sight, range is shorter (1,200 m).
Users - Colombian Army, archived by the Internet Archive : M4L3 - South African Army
Former users – Rhodesian Army
Specifications
Type: Muzzle loading mortar Calibre: 60 mm Mass: Total 7.2 kg - barrel 3.2 kg - breech 0.9 kg - baseplate 1.9 kg - sight/handle - 1.1 kg Barrel length: 650 mm Traverse: 300 mil Elevation: 710 to 1510 mil Muzzle velocity: 171 m/s Range: 100 m minimum - 2100 m maximum
References
External links M4 mortar on Manufacturer's website, archived by the Internet Archive