CAR-15
Colt's M16-based carbine family from the 1960s and early 1970s.
The CAR-15 is a family of M16 rifle–based firearms marketed by Colt in the 1960s and early 1970s. The term is most commonly associated with the Colt Commando (also known as the XM177), a select-fire carbine with ultrashort 10.5-inch or 11.5-inch barrels and oversized flash suppressors. The CAR-15 name was an attempt to re-associate the AR-15 name with Colt after the company purchased the rights to the AR-10 and AR-15 from ArmaLite in late 1959.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United States
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1966–1998 (US service) / 1966–present (other countries)
- Manufacturer
- Colt Defense
- Variants
- XM177 (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)
- Weight
- 5.35 lbs
- Length
- 31 in (XM177E1, stock extended) · 28.3 in (XM177E1, stock retracted) · 32.5 in (XM177E2, stock extended) · 29.8 in (XM177E2, stock retracted)
- Part Length
- 10 in (XM177E1) · 11.5 in (XM177E2)
- Cartridge
- 5.56×45mm NATO, .223 Remington
- Action
- Gas-operated, closed rotating bolt, Stoner bolt and carrier piston
- Velocity
- 2650 ft/s (XM177E1) · 2750 ft/s (XM177E2)
- Range
- 400 m
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
After Colt purchased the rights to the AR-10 and AR-15 from ArmaLite in late 1959, the company began a research and development program to create variations of the AR platform, which evolved into the CAR-15 family. The focus was to develop five different variants of the existing AR-15 in addition to a 40mm grenade launcher: a submachine gun, a carbine, a heavy barrel magazine-fed squad automatic weapon, a belt-fed machine gun, and a compact survival rifle. Only the submachine gun generated interest with the U.S. Army, and aside from limited purchases of 100–150 M-1 heavy assault rifles for trials during the SAWS program, the military was cool to most of Colt's CAR-15 Military Weapons System. Only a handful of carbines, M-2 belt-fed assault rifles, and survival rifles were ever produced, though the short-barreled submachine gun and the 40mm grenade launcher attachment underwent considerable further development.
The CAR-15 program started in earnest in 1964 with samples of the SMG Model 607 submitted to the U.S. Army for evaluation. Starting in May 1965, Colt attempted to market the M16 and its CAR-15 variants as a modular weapon system, using various upper assemblies, buttstocks, and pistol grips to configure the weapon as an assault rifle, carbine, submachine gun, open-bolt squad automatic weapon, belt-fed light machine gun, or survival rifle. The U.S. military only made significant purchases of the existing M16 rifle and the SMG model (later called the Commando versions), so Colt abandoned the CAR-15 family concept. The term 'CAR-15' has since been used generically to describe any M16-based carbine made before the M4 carbine.
Reader's Guide
The CAR-15 family represents Colt's early attempt to create a modular weapon system based on the AR-15 platform, but it failed to achieve widespread military adoption beyond the submachine gun and Commando models. The program's significance lies in its development of short-barreled carbine variants that later influenced the M4 carbine. The Model 605 carbine prototypes introduced innovations such as a four-position selector switch (safe, semi-automatic, three-round burst, or full automatic) and an early 'mid-length' gas system. The heavy assault rifle M1 (Model 606) was produced in limited numbers for SAWS trials, while the belt-fed M2 remained a prototype. Despite Colt's abandonment of the CAR-15 concept, the name persisted as a generic term for all pre-M4 carbine-length M16 variants. The CAR-15's legacy includes its influence on later civilian and military carbine designs, such as the Bushmaster XM-15 Dissipator, which used a similar barrel length and handguard configuration.
Did You Know?
- The Model 605 carbine prototype used a four-position selector switch that allowed safe, semi-automatic, three-round burst, or full automatic modes.
- Only 100–150 CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle M1s were produced for U.S. Army trials during the SAWS program in 1965.
- The CAR-15 family included a belt-fed machine gun (M2) that was unrelated to the later CMG series in 7.62 NATO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CAR-15?
The CAR-15 is a family of M16-derived firearms produced by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company from the late 1950s through the early 1970s. The lineup spans ultrashort carbines, a heavy-barrel squad automatic weapon, a belt-fed machine gun, and a survival rifle.
What is the Colt Commando (XM177)?
The Colt Commando, designated XM177, is the most widely recognized variant in the CAR-15 family. It is a select-fire carbine built around an ultrashort 10.5- or 11.5-inch barrel and fitted with an oversized flash suppressor.
Why is it called CAR-15 instead of AR-15?
After Colt acquired the AR-10 and AR-15 design rights from ArmaLite in late 1959, the company wanted the designation to reflect its own ownership. The 'CAR' prefix was Colt's way of re-tying the AR-15 name directly to the Colt brand.
What barrel lengths does the CAR-15 Commando come in?
The Commando is offered with two barrel options: 10.5 inches (270 mm) and 11.5 inches (290 mm). Both are classified as ultrashort barrels relative to the full-length M16.
What gas-system innovation is the CAR-15 credited with?
The Model 605 carbine prototype, an early CAR-15 development, was the first platform to use a mid-length gas system. This represented a departure from the standard-length gas system found on full-size M16 rifles.
More in Assault Rifles, Part 2 1-24
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