M6 aircrew survival weapon
| M6 aircrew survival weapon | |
|---|---|
Original USAF M6 Survival Rifle/Shotgun | |
| Type | Combination gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1952–1970s |
| Used by | United States Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Ithaca Gun Company, Springfield Armory, Inc. |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.5 lb (2.0 kg) |
| Length | 28.27 in (718 mm) overall, 15 in (380 mm) folded |
| Barrel length | 14 in (360 mm) |
| Cartridge | .22 Hornet .410 bore shotgun |
| Barrels | 2 |
| Action | break action |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,740 ft/s (840 m/s) (.22 Hornet) 1,130 ft/s (340 m/s) (.410 bore) |
| Maximum firing range | 109 yd (100 m) (.22 Hornet) 27 yd (25 m) (.410 bore) |
| Sights | Iron |
The M6 aircrew survival weapon was a specially-made .22 Hornet over .410 bore combination gun issued to United States Air Force aircrews to help forage for food in the event of a plane crash. It was issued from 1952 until the early 1970s, in conjunction with the M4 Survival Rifle. Plans to replace both with the ArmaLite AR-5 (aka: MA-1) never came to fruition and in 2018 was instead replaced with the GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon in some instances.