Colt Automatic Rifle
| Colt Automatic Rifle | |
|---|---|
Danish LSV (Light Support Weapon) M/04 with optical sight and 100-round Beta C-Mag. | |
| Type | |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1994-present |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Iraq War Operation Atalanta Mali War Military intervention against ISIL |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1982 |
| Variants | See text |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5.78 kg (Unloaded) |
| Length | 1,000 mm (39.4 in) |
| Barrel length | 20 in (510 mm) |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600–750 round/min |
| Muzzle velocity |
|
| Effective firing range | 600 m |
| Feed system | Various STANAG Magazines. |
| Sights | Adjustable front and rear iron sight optical sights |
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.
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.