Colt XM177 Commando
Colt's Manufacturing Company · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1966
Also known as: CAR-15 Commando, Colt Commando, GAU-5/A, XM177E2
Overview
The Colt XM177 Commando was a compact carbine developed from the CAR-15 family during the Vietnam War to give special forces a short, handy weapon for close-in jungle fighting. Built on the AR-15/M16 platform with a telescoping aluminum stock, a roughly 11.5-inch barrel and a long moderator-style flash suppressor, it retained select-fire capability and the 5.56x45mm cartridge. The XM177E1 used a 10-inch barrel while the more common XM177E2 used the longer 11.5-inch barrel; the Air Force fielded the type as the GAU-5/A.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2430 g (85.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 826 mm (32.52") |
| Folded Length | 757 mm (29.80") |
| Barrel Length | 292 mm (11.50") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 838 m/s (2749 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1250 J (922 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Aluminum |
| Finish | Anodized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56x45mm, 5.56mm M193
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Telescoping Stock, Moderator Flash Suppressor, Short Barrel, Carry Handle Rear Sight, Direct Impingement Gas System
Variants
- Colt XM177E1 — Short Barrel
- Colt XM177E2 — Extended Barrel
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1966 · as XM177E2
- United States Air Force · as GAU-5/A
- Israel Defense Forces
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- Yom Kippur War (1973)
Production
Production years: 1966-1970
Limited military procurement; exact totals not well documented
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Eugene Stoner
Discontinued: 1970
Notes
Part of the CAR-15 weapon system. The long combination flash-suppressor/moderator was needed to tame the muzzle blast of the short barrel and was later restricted under the NFA as a sound moderator.
Background
The XM177's iconic long flash suppressor was not just for looks: the 5.56mm round leaving such a short barrel produced a blinding muzzle flash and deafening report, so Colt fitted an oversized 'moderator' to tame both, giving the Commando its instantly recognizable Vietnam-era silhouette.