| 5.56mm, Advanced Piston Carbine | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2010s–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Colt's Manufacturing Company |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7 lb (3.2 kg) empty 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) with 30 rounds |
| Length | 33 in (840 mm) (stock extended) 29.8 in (760 mm) (stock retracted) |
| length | 14.5 in (370 mm) |
The Colt Advanced Piston Carbine or Colt APC (internal product number P0923) is a lightweight modular 5.56mm caliber piston-operated, magazine fed carbine with a one-piece upper receiver which is capable of firing in automatic and semi-automatic modes. The design incorporates an articulating link piston that reduces the stresses in the piston stroke by allowing for deflection and thermal expansion.
Colt submitted the APC as the “Enhanced M4” for the U.S. Army’s Individual Carbine competition to replace the M4 carbine in 2012. However, the competition was canceled in 2013 before a winning weapon was chosen. The APC was adopted in limited quantities by several military and law enforcement agencies.