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.

Jul 8, 2021 · With the exception of the plastic charging handle latch, which failed in the cold weather tests, and did not prevent wear as hoped, all of the changes were recommended for incorporation. However, the cadmium plated spring and shot-peened receivers were later deemed not worth the cost, and dropped.

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 April 1967, the Army purchased 510 Colt 629 Commandos for use with by troops assigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), and designated them XM177E2. Delivery was completed by the end of September 1967.

Mar 29, 2018 · The short version of the story behind the Colt Commando is this. 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 that CAR-15 SMG we mentioned a minute ago.

The CAR-15 XM177 or CAR-15 Commando was a part of the CAR-15 Military Weapons System designed in 1966 in response to the US military's desire for a compact M16 variant to improve on the inadequacies of earlier shortened M16 types.

The gun is actually a CAR-15 carbine, something like the Colt 733 carbine. Flattop upper receiver for M16 does exist during Cold War era but that rear sight is too modern for the time. Also, the name XM4 is the US designation for prototypes of the M4 carbine. Enjoy.

Mar 15, 2018 · Produced until about 1970, Colt Commandos served in various special forces groups and even with the British SAS, even making an appearance in the Falklands War. Replicas of Colt Commando XM177...

Jan 24, 2019 · During the Vietnam War, Special Forces soldiers of the Studies and Observation Group fought a secret war behind enemy lines with the CAR-15— or XM177E2—the granddaddy of today’s M4 carbine.