Colt 933
Compact M4 Commando carbine used by special forces.
The Colt Model 933 is a compact carbine that draws on the AR-15, M16, and M4 Carbine platforms, first made by Colt in 1995. It updates earlier Commando carbines with a "flattop" receiver that includes a detachable carry handle and a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail, and it can fire in both semi-automatic and fully automatic modes. Its short barrel makes it handy, and it remains in use with some US Special Forces as well as foreign units, such as Israeli Special Forces.
The lineage traces back to the Vietnam War, when Colt produced a compact M16 variant called the XM177 for close-quarters work. That model had a 10-inch barrel, which hurt ballistics, range, and accuracy while creating heavy muzzle flash and blast. Colt partly addressed this with a large flash suppressor, though the rifle stayed loud. After field tests, Colt increased the barrel to 11.5 inches, leading to the XM177E2, used by MACV-SOG units until 1970. This change reduced flash and blast problems.
After Vietnam, Colt focused on carbines with 14.5-inch or 20-inch barrels but kept making 11.5-inch-barrel versions, called Commandos. The first was the Colt Model 733, or M16A2 Commando, built from spare parts. It gained popularity with police and special forces like Delta Force and USMC Force Recon. In 1995, following the M4 Carbine’s success, Colt introduced the Model 933 as the M4 Commando. Its parts interchange with the longer M4 Carbine. Although it still has some of the same drawbacks as earlier Commandos, the 933 remains popular with certain police and special forces users. Colt later rebranded it as the M4 Commando.
Users include Afghanistan, Israel, Serbia (Special Anti-Terrorist Unit), and the United States (LAPD Metropolitan Division and USMC Force Recon).
Quick Facts
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Origin
- United States
- Service
- 1995 - present
- Wars
- Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir / War on terror
- Length
- 680 mm (stock retracted) / 762 mm (stock extended)
- Action
- Gas-operated, rotating bolt
- Part Length
- 292 mm, 254 mm (standard CAR-15)
- Feed
- 30-round box magazine or other STANAG Magazines.
- Cartridge
- 5.56×45mm (.223 Remington)
- Rate
- 700–950 round/min cyclic
- Weight
- 2.44 kg empty / 2.64 kg with 30 rounds
- Variants
- M4A1
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Colt Model 933 was introduced in 1995 as the M4 Commando, following the success of the M4 Carbine. It modernized the earlier Commando line, which had begun with the Colt Model 733, an M16A2 Commando assembled from spare parts that became popular with police and special forces such as Delta Force and USMC Force Recon. The 933's parts are interchangeable with the longer M4 Carbine.
Like earlier Commando carbines with 11.5-inch barrels, the 933 suffers from some of the same issues that plagued the earlier Commando carbines, including considerable muzzle flash and blast, reduced range and accuracy due to the short barrel. Colt later rebranded the 933 as the M4 Commando. Despite these drawbacks, the 933 remains popular among some police and special forces users.
Reader's Guide
The Colt Model 933 represents the evolution of the short-barreled Commando carbine lineage, which began during the Vietnam War with the XM177 series. Colt had experimented with 10-inch barrels on the XM177E1, but found that the short barrel upset ballistics, reduced range and accuracy, and produced considerable muzzle flash and blast. A larger flash suppressor was added, but did not help with the rifle's loud report. Increasing the barrel to 11.5 inches in the XM177E2 reduced these issues, and that barrel length became standard for subsequent Commandos.
After the Vietnam War, Colt focused on 14.5-inch and 20-inch barrels but continued making 11.5-inch Commandos, first as the Model 733. The 933 updated the design with a flattop receiver and Picatinny rail, making it compatible with modern optics and accessories. Its compact size has led to continued use by US Special Forces, Israeli Special Forces, and other units such as the LAPD Metropolitan Division and USMC Force Recon. The 933's legacy is that of a specialized close-quarters weapon that, while retaining the ballistic compromises of a short barrel, remains valued for its maneuverability and interchangeability with the M4 Carbine.
Did You Know?
- It has a barrel length of 11.5 inches (290 mm), the same as the earlier XM177E2.
- The 933 features a 'flattop' receiver with a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail and a removable carry handle.
- Users include Israeli Special Forces, USMC Force Recon, and the LAPD Metropolitan Division.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Colt Model 933?
It is a compact carbine that Colt introduced in 1995, built on the AR-15, M16, and M4 Carbine family of platforms. Think of it as a modernized successor to the older M4 Commando carbine, tailored for close-quarters and special-operations work.
What sets the Colt 933 apart from a standard M4 Carbine?
The 933 swaps the traditional carry-handle upper for a flattop receiver topped with a full MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail, making it far easier to mount optics and accessories. It also pairs that rail system with an 11.5-inch barrel and both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire modes in a shorter overall package.
Who operates the Colt 933 in the field?
It is employed by US Special Forces elements such as USMC Force Recon and the LAPD Metropolitan Division, as well as foreign units including Israeli Special Forces and Serbia's Special Anti-Terrorist Unit. Its compact size and rail-ready design make it a favorite among operators who need a short, versatile carbine.
Where does the Colt 933's lineage come from?
The design roots go back to the Vietnam War, when Colt produced the XM177, a shortened M16 variant meant for close-quarters engagements. The 933 carries that same compact-carbine philosophy forward into the 1990s and beyond with a modern rail system and updated receiver.
What are the Colt 933's key specs?
It features an 11.5-inch (290 mm) barrel, a detachable carry handle on a flattop upper, and a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail running the length of the receiver. It fires in both semi-automatic and fully automatic modes, and was manufactured by Colt starting in 1995.
More in Assault Rifles, Part 2 1-24
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