Colt Automatic Rifle

The Colt Automatic Rifle or Colt Light Machine Gun is a 5.56 mm NATO, open-bolt, full-automatic-only firearm developed by Colt Defense. It is based on the M16A2/A4, and has a distinctive squared-off handguard, vertical grip, carrying handle and integrated bipod.

For the select-fire rifles and carbines of a similar name, see CAR-15. For other uses, see AR-15 (disambiguation).
Colt Automatic Rifle
Danish LSV (Light Support Weapon) M/04 with optical sight and 100-round Beta C-Mag
Type
  • Squad automatic weapon
  • Light machine gun
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1994-present
WarsIraq War
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Operation Atalanta
Mali War
Military intervention against ISIL
Production history
Designed1982
VariantsSee text
Specifications
Mass5.78 kg (Unloaded)
Length1,000 mm (39.4 in)
Barrel length20 in (510 mm)
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire600–750 round/min
Muzzle velocity
  • 991 m/s (3,251 ft/s; using the M193 round)
  • 945 m/s (3,100 ft/s; using the M855 round)
Effective firing range600 m
Feed systemVarious STANAG Magazines.
SightsAdjustable front and rear iron sight
optical sights

It is one of many squad automatic weapon-type firearms that have been developed from the Armalite AR-15 that use the Stoner bolt and carrier piston system. The family name was derived from the original AR-15 by adding "Colt", resulting in the CAR-15, to stand for Colt Automatic Rifle, even though the "AR" in AR-15 stands for Armalite Rifle, the original manufacturer. The CAR-15 weapons system consisted of the AR-15 and five variations, including the Colt Machine Gun and CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle.

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