However, the term "CAR-15" is most commonly associated with the Colt Commando (AKA: XM177); these select-fire carbines have ultrashort 10.5-inch (270 mm) and 11.5-inch (290 mm) barrels with over-sized flash suppressors.

The 10 inch barrel Colt XM177 (model 609) was essentially a fielded prototype - and the first Colt CAR-15 SMG version to see limited issue to SEALs, Special Forces and the CIA. Production ran only about one year (1966-67), with possibly less than 3,000 fielded before replacement in 1967 by the longer (and better known) 11.5 inch XM177E2.

Oct 29, 2018 · Today we take a look at a build that brings us back to the Colt Commando era. and back to the future again! The idea behind this build was to get a modern M16A1/XM177-style AR15. Let’s begin with a short history lesson with this legendary photograph. Apart from the first picture below, all pictures are taken by “ Schrombo “, used with permission.

Feb 15, 2019 · The Colt CAR-15 Commando (XM177) was an assault carbine developed during the United States military involvement in the Vietnam War (1955-1975) to fulfill a need for a portable, close-in weapon system for use by special forces operating in the jungle.

In response, Colt Industries designed the XM177 model (CAR15 Project). It’s simply a shortened version of the M16 and uses the same lower receiver. The differences are in the upper receiver. It has a shorter barrel, longer flash suppressor, and rounded hand guards. The XM177E1 version has a bolt assist.

Mar 17, 2021 · During the Vietnam War, the Pentagon provided U.S. Army Green Berets and U.S. Navy SEALs commandos with a shorter, more compact version of the M16 rifle. The CAR-15 was well suited for the...

Feb 24, 2024 · The XM177E2 is an exceptionally lightweight, compact submachine gun-sized version of the standard M16 infantry rifle. (Photo by Oleg Volk)

As part of the contract, Colt was supposed to supply each XM177E1s with seven 30-round magazines, but Colt was unable to build a reliable 30-round curved magazine that would fit in the M16 magwell, so most XM177E1s were shipped with 20-round magazines.

Mar 15, 2018 · In the mid-60s as the Vietnam war was heating up, the military wanted something more compact than the M16 rifle for close quarters, special operations-type use. That was the original plan for...

The M16 rifle (officially designated Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16) is a family of assault rifles adapted from the ArmaLite AR-15 rifle for the United States military. The original M16 rifle was a 5.56×45mm automatic rifle with a 20-round magazine.