Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/958224
tional numeric markings. Standard US Army M16A1 had internal Colt's designation of Model 603 CAR-15 Rifle, whereas USAF M16 was Model 604 CAR-15 Rifle (with- out forward assist). Model 606 CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle was shortly manufactured version with heavy bar- rel that was designed to act as LMG (M1 version was fed with magazines and M2 was belt-fed). Model 610 was officially adopted by USAF as Subma- chine Gun, GAU-5/A. On 28th June 1966, US Army acquired 2185 units of Model 609 and adopted it as Submachine Gun, 5.56 mm, XM177E1. What is worth to notice, "Experimental" gun never renamed to M177 or M177A1. As a result of tests conducted in 1967, Colt im- plemented package of modifications – barrel was ex- tended from 10" (254 mm) to 11.5" (292 mm), what re- duced sound and visual signature of shot and allowed to attach 40 mm under-slung grenade launcher (at the beginning XM148 and later M203). Chambers where chromed what increased reliability. Improved versions were renamed to Model 629 (with forward assist) and 649 (w/o forward assist). In April 1967, 510 Model 629 carbines were purchased for Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observa- tions Group (MACV-SOG) and adopted as XM177E2. MACV-SOG knows also as SOG was elite unit of Ameri- can special forces conducting top secret and extreme- ly risky recon operations, search and rescue and kill or capture of high ranking enemy soldiers in North and South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. The MACV-SOG combat teams consisted of carefully selected soldiers from LRRP, Green Berets and SEALs. Legends that surrounded SOG operations caused that XM177E2 be- come a cult weapon. What's interesting, in practi- cal use turned out that IN ACTION