Stoner 63

Stoner 63
Stoner 63
	Stoner 63 configured as a light machine gun
Type	Modular weapon system; Carbine; Assault rifle; Light machine gun; Squad automatic weapon;
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1963–1983 (U.S.)
Used by	United States Navy SEALs; United States Marine Corps;
Wars	Vietnam War; Invasion of Grenada;
Production history
Designer	Eugene Stoner; L. James Sullivan; Robert Fremont;
Designed	1963
Manufacturer	Cadillac Gage; Knight's Armament Company; NWM De Kruithoorn N.V. (prototypes only);
Produced	1963–1971
No. built	Approx. 4,000 (both versions)
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Mass	LMG, MMG: 11.68 lb (5.30 kg); FMG: 10.31 lb (4.68 kg); Commando: 10.50 lb (4.76 kg); AR: 10.19 lb (4.62 kg); Rifle: 7.90 lb (3.58 kg); Carbine: 7.75 lb (3.52 kg);
Length	LMG, MMG, AR, Rifle: 40.25 in (1,022 mm); Carbine: 36.68 in (931.7 mm) stock extended/26.60 in (675.6 mm) stock collapsed; Commando: 35.95 in (913.1 mm); FMG: 30.38 in (771.7 mm);
Barrel length	LMG, MMG, FMG, AR, Rifle: 20 in (508.0 mm); Carbine, Commando: 15.7 in (398.8 mm);
Cartridge	5.56×45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated long stoke piston, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	LMG, MMG, FMG: 700–1,000 rounds/min; AR, Rifle, Carbine, Commando: 700–900 rounds/min;
Muzzle velocity	LMG, MMG, FMG, AR, Rifle: 3,250 ft/s (991 m/s); Carbine, Commando: 3,050 ft/s (929.6 m/s);
Effective firing range	200–1000 m
Maximum firing range	2653 m
Feed system	LMG, MMG, FMG: Disintegrating M27 ammunition belt; AR, Rifle, Carbine, Commando: 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine; LMG: 75-, 100-, 150-round drum magazine (post–Vietnam War model, rare, used by SEALs);
Sights	Iron sights

The Stoner 63 is a 5.56×45mm NATO modular weapon system. Using a variety of modular components, it can be configured as an assault rifle, carbine, top-fed light machine gun, belt-fed squad automatic weapon, or as a vehicle mounted weapon. Also known as the M63, XM22, XM23, XM207 or the Mk 23 Mod 0 machine gun, it was designed by Eugene Stoner in the early 1960s. Cadillac Gage was the primary manufacturer of the Stoner 63 during its history. The Stoner 63 saw very limited combat use by US military units during the Vietnam War. A few were also sold to law enforcement agencies.

Stoner 63
Stoner 63 configured as a light machine gun
Type	Modular weapon system Carbine Assault rifle Light machine gun Squad automatic weapon
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1963–1983 (U.S.)
Used by	United States Navy SEALs United States Marine Corps
Wars	Vietnam War Invasion of Grenada
Production history
Designer	Eugene Stoner L. James Sullivan Robert Fremont
Designed	1963
Manufacturer	Cadillac Gage Knight's Armament Company NWM De Kruithoorn N.V. (prototypes only)
Produced	1963–1971
No. built	Approx. 4,000 (both versions)
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Mass	LMG, MMG: 11.68 lb (5.30 kg) FMG: 10.31 lb (4.68 kg) Commando: 10.50 lb (4.76 kg) AR: 10.19 lb (4.62 kg) Rifle: 7.90 lb (3.58 kg) Carbine: 7.75 lb (3.52 kg)
Length	LMG, MMG, AR, Rifle: 40.25 in (1,022 mm) Carbine: 36.68 in (931.7 mm) stock extended/26.60 in (675.6 mm) stock collapsed Commando: 35.95 in (913.1 mm) FMG: 30.38 in (771.7 mm)
Barrel length	LMG, MMG, FMG, AR, Rifle: 20 in (508.0 mm) Carbine, Commando: 15.7 in (398.8 mm)

Cartridge	5.56×45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated long stoke piston, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	LMG, MMG, FMG: 700–1,000 rounds/min AR, Rifle, Carbine, Commando: 700–900 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	LMG, MMG, FMG, AR, Rifle: 3,250 ft/s (991 m/s) Carbine, Commando: 3,050 ft/s (929.6 m/s)
Effective firing range	200–1000 m
Maximum firing range	2653 m
Feed system	LMG, MMG, FMG: Disintegrating M27 ammunition belt AR, Rifle, Carbine, Commando: 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine LMG: 75-, 100-, 150-round drum magazine (post–Vietnam War model, rare, used by SEALs)
Sights	Iron sights