CAR-15

CAR-15 XM177 Commando
GAU-5/A, USAF version of the XM177
TypeAssault rifle
Carbine
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service
  • 1966–1998 (US Service)
  • 1966–present (other countries)
Production history
ManufacturerColt Defense
VariantsXM177 (R610 in US Army service)

XM177E1 (R609 in US Army service)

XM177E2 (R629 in US Army service)

GAU-5/A (R609 in US Air Force service)

GAU-5A/A (R649 in US Air Force service)
Specifications
Mass5.35 lb (2.43 kg)
Length31 in (790 mm) (XM177E1, stock extended)

28.3 in (720 mm) (XM177E1, stock retracted)
32.5 in (830 mm) (XM177E2, stock extended)

29.8 in (760 mm) (XM177E2, stock retracted)
Barrel length10 in (250 mm) (XM177E1)
11.5 in (290 mm) (XM177E2)

Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO, .223 Remington
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt (Direct impingement)
Muzzle velocity2,650 ft/s (810 m/s) (XM177E1)
2,750 ft/s (840 m/s) (XM177E2)
Effective firing range400 m (440 yd)
Feed system30-round box magazine or other STANAG magazines.
SightsIron sights or various optics
U.S. Navy SEAL with Colt Commando. Note: large flash suppressor

The Colt Automatic Rifle-15 or CAR-15 is a family of M16 rifle–based firearms marketed by Colt in the 1960s and early 1970s. 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 CAR-15 name was an attempt to re-associate the AR-15 name with Colt, since the AR initially stood for ArmaLite, the original manufacturer of the ArmaLite AR-15. Colt later abandoned the CAR-15 concept, but continued to make carbine variations, using the "M16" brand for select-fire models and the "Colt AR-15" brand for semi-automatic models. However, in present usage, "CAR-15" is the generic name for all carbine-length variants made before the M4 carbine.