M6 Aircrew Survival Rifle
Ithaca Gun Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1952
Also known as: M6 Survival Rifle, M6 Aircrew Survival Weapon, USAF M6 Survival Gun
Overview
The M6 Aircrew Survival Rifle is an over-under combination survival rifle issued to United States Air Force aircrews from the early 1950s. It superposes a .22 Hornet rifle barrel over a .410 bore shotgun barrel in a single break-action frame, allowing a downed airman to take small game and birds for food. A manual firing pin selector chooses which barrel fires, and an oversized paddle-type trigger bar can be operated while wearing arctic mittens. The skeletonized steel stock hinges to fold the weapon in half for compact stowage and contains a storage compartment holding nine .22 Hornet rounds and four .410 shells.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2060 g (72.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 718 mm (28.27") |
| Folded Length | 381 mm (15.00") |
| Barrel Length | 381 mm (15.00") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 723 m/s (2372 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 763 J (563 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- .22 Hornet · primary — also known as 5.6x35mmR
- .410 Bore — also known as .410 Gauge, .410 Shotshell, 410GA
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Action Break Open
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Firing Pin Selector, Exposed Hammer
- Features: Over Under Combination Gun, Takedown, Folding Design, Paddle Trigger, Buttstock Ammunition Storage, Iron Sights
Variants
- Springfield Armory M6 Scout — Civilian
Service history
Operators
- United States Air Force · adopted 1952 · as M6
Conflicts
- Cold War (1947-1991)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Production years: 1952-1973
Manufactured by the Ithaca Gun Company for the U.S. Air Force; civilian semi-clones (M6 Scout) were later produced by Springfield Armory.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Ithaca Gun Company
Discontinued: 1973
Notes
Based loosely on the Marble Game Getter combination gun concept. Built largely from stamped sheet steel for ruggedness and low cost. Issued through the early 1970s before being declared obsolete for military use.
Background
Issued to U.S. Air Force pilots and aircrew as a last-resort hunting tool after a crash or bailout, the M6 was prized for its light weight, foldability and ability to take both small game (with the .22 Hornet barrel) and birds or small game on the wing (with the .410 shotgun barrel). Its mitten-friendly paddle trigger made it usable in arctic survival scenarios.