View source for Colt Automatic Rifle

{{Short description|Full-automatic-only firearm}}
{{for multi|the select-fire rifles and carbines of a similar name|CAR-15||AR-15 (disambiguation)}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2008}}
{{Infobox weapon|is_ranged=yes|
name=Colt Automatic Rifle
|image=Danish LSV M04.jpg
|image_size=360 px
|caption=Danish LSV (Light Support Weapon) M/04 with optical sight and 100-round [[Beta C-Mag]].
|origin= United States
|type=
* [[Squad automatic weapon]]
* [[Light machine gun]]
|designer=
|design_date=1982
|service=1994-present
|wars=[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]<br />[[Iraq War]]<br />[[Operation Atalanta]]<br />[[Mali War]]<br />[[International military intervention against ISIL|Military intervention against ISIL]]
|cartridge=[[5.56×45mm NATO]]
|action=[[Gas-operated reloading|Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]]
|rate=600–750 round/min
|velocity=
* 991 m/s (3,251&nbsp;ft/s; using the M193 round)
* 945 m/s (3,100&nbsp;ft/s; using the M855 round)
|range=600 m
|weight=5.78 kg (Unloaded)
|length=1,000 mm (39.4 in)
|part_length=20 in (510 mm)
|feed=Various [[STANAG Magazine]]s.
|sights=Adjustable front and rear iron sight<br />optical sights
|variants=See text
|number=
}}

The '''Colt Automatic Rifle''' or '''Colt Light Machine Gun''' is a [[5.56 mm NATO]], [[open-bolt]], [[Automatic firearm|full-automatic-only]] firearm developed by [[Colt Defense]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US4433610A/en | title=Open bolt firing mechanism for automatic firearm }}</ref> It is based on the [[M16 rifle|M16A2/A4]], and has a distinctive squared-off handguard, vertical grip, carrying handle and integrated bipod.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=430&page=1|title=The Colt LMG – Small Arms Defense Journal}}</ref>

It is one of many [[squad automatic weapon]]-type firearms that have been developed from the [[Armalite AR-15]] that use the [[Direct impingement#Stoner bolt and carrier piston system|Stoner bolt and carrier piston system]].<ref>Kevin Dockery, Kevin. ''Future Weapons'' (Penguin, 2007 <!--city?-->), pp. 60 and 61.</ref> 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.<ref>Dockery, p.60.</ref> The CAR-15 weapons system consisted of the AR-15 and five variations, including the [[Colt Machine Gun]] and [[CAR-15#CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle (HBAR)|CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle]].<ref>Dockery, pp. 60 and 61</ref>

==Overview==
The Colt Automatic Rifle is the name of a current product, but Colt has developed a number of similar weapons since the company obtained the rights to produce the Armalite AR-15 family at the end of the 1950s. Originally known as the Colt M16 LMG or simply as the Colt LMG ([[Light Machine Gun]]), this weapon was developed as a joint venture by Colt and [[Diemaco]], a Canadian firm licensed by Colt in 1982 to produce variants of the [[M16 rifle|M16]] family for the [[Canadian Armed Forces]]. In 2005, Diemaco was acquired by Colt's Manufacturing LLC and renamed Colt Canada.

The Colt/Diemaco weapon traces its lineage to a number of weapons developed both at Colt and by the [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]]. These weapons were all designed to fill the role of the earlier [[M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle|Browning Automatic Rifle]]. The BAR was originally to have been replaced by the [[M14 rifle#M15|M15 Squad Automatic Weapon]], but instead was ultimately replaced by the [[M16 rifle|M16A1]]; one [[rifleman]] was supposed to use this weapon's fully automatic setting while the rest of the squad used [[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]]. Throughout the period between the introduction of the M16 and the introduction of the [[M249 Squad Automatic Weapon|M249]] as a purpose-built squad automatic weapon at the end of the SAW trials, interim weapons were developed and tested in order to fill the gap.

===Colt Model 606 CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle M1===
{{further|topic=the CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle|CAR-15}}
Between 1964 and 1965, Colt began to expand the AR-15 beyond the realm of an infantry/assault rifle with the development of light machine gun weaponry. The result was the Model 606 series.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Michelle |date=2021-08-20 |title=Early SAW: Colt's AR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle M1 |url=https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/colt-ar15-heavy-assault-rifle-m1/424564 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Firearms News |language=en}}</ref>

Colt made two of the model 606, called A and B models. The A model “featured forward assist devices found on the Colt 603 rifles.” The B model had a “four-position selector with burst fire as an option.” The M1 model, designed for sustained automatic fire, carried a heavy profile barrel. Colt developed a 30-round magazine for the weapon, and a bipod was designed for added stability.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colt and its Infantry Automatic Rifle concept |url=https://www.sandboxx.us/news/colt-and-its-infantry-automatic-rifle-concept/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Sandboxx |language=en-US}}</ref>

The M2, designed with the same heavy barrel and bipod, also features a belt-fed drum mounted on top of the gun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colt and its Infantry Automatic Rifle concept |url=https://www.sandboxx.us/news/colt-and-its-infantry-automatic-rifle-concept/ |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=Sandboxx |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 1965, Colt submitted the Model 606A for the Small Arms Weapons Systems Trials (SAWS trials), sponsored by the U.S. Army, and would be known by the experimental classification as the GX–5856/Heavy Assault Rifle M1.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Michelle |date=2021-08-20 |title=Early SAW: Colt's AR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle M1 |url=https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/colt-ar15-heavy-assault-rifle-m1/424564 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=Firearms News |language=en}}</ref>

The 606 series was not successful as they were prone to rapid overheating, and the gas impingement system, together with the white nylon buffer, did not adapt effectively to sustained fire.<ref name=":0" />

=== BRL XM106 ===
The U.S. Military followed the Small Arms Weapons Systems study with the ''Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) program'' starting in the late 1970s. One of the four main concepts coming out of this program was the ''XM106,'' developed by the U.S. Army’s [[Ballistic Research Laboratory]] (BRL) in January 1978. The design, an open-bolt, magazine-fed adaption of the M16A1, was developed under the guidance of Timothy Brosseau.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Infantry Association honors Army researcher |url=https://www.army.mil/article/169197/national_infantry_association_honors_army_researcher |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=www.army.mil |date=6 June 2016 |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Rifle, 5.56mm XM106.png|thumb|[[Ballistic Research Laboratory|BRL]] XM106]]The BRL gun differed primarily in having permanently fixed [[handguard]]s and a special quick-change barrel system. The handguards also had an M2 bipod originally for the [[M14 rifle]] and a [[vertical foregrip]] fashioned from an M16A1 pistol grip. Early XM106s also had the front [[Sight (device)|sight]] moved forward along the barrel to create a longer sight radius for more accurate long range fire, but this was dropped from later versions. In the end the Army used the XM106 as a control variable during the competition and instead selected the [[M249 light machine gun|M249 Squad Automatic Weapon]].

The ''Colt M16 HBAR'' was also included in the ''Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) program'', as requested by the U.S. Army’s Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations. The [[United States Marine Corps]], in December 1977, had already invested funds for the development of a “sustained-fire capable version of the ''Colt M16 HBAR''.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Firearms - Prototypes: XM106 Light Machine Gun Following... |url=https://www.historicalfirearms.info/post/146176082724/prototypes-xm106-light-machine-gun-following |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=www.historicalfirearms.info}}</ref>

===Colt/Diemaco LMG===
{{See also|Diemaco C7}}
[[File:De loopgroep en handbeschermers van de Diemaco C7 LSW (Light Support Weapon) van het Korps Mariniers (2009 D050713-X1016).jpg|thumb|The heavy barrel profile is seen with the handguards removed from the upper receiver of the C7 LSW]]
[[File:De trekkergroep en kolf, de sluitveer en de zuiger met -stang van de Diemaco C7 LSW (Light Support Weapon) van het Korps Mariniers.jpg|thumb|The return spring and hydraulic buffer assembly of the C7 LSW]]
[[File:Diemaco Light Support Weapon.png|thumb|Diemaco Light Support Weapon (LOAW) in Dutch service, 2004]]
[[File:Korps Mariniers colt jungle training.jpg|thumb|Upgraded Light Support Weapon (LOAWNLD) in Dutch service, 2020]]

During the 1980s Colt decided to expand on the basic ideas that had been developed in the WAK and BRL guns. The weapon was essentially a [[Firearm modification|modified]] M16A1 with a new square handguard to cover the enlarged straight [[Gas-operated reloading|gas tube]] and almost 1 inch thick heavy barrel to make the barrel less susceptible for [[Thermal shock|overheating]] and hence increase the [[Rate of fire#Effective rate|sustained or effective rate of fire]] capability, a carry handle on top of the handguard, with a hydraulic buffer assembly and the ability to fire from an open bolt. The [[Chrome plating|chrome]]-lined barrel was permanently fixed to the receiver and could not be replaced in the field. An [[angled foregrip]] was added to the handguard to improve handling as an automatic rifle. Rear sights later featured on the M16A2 were also introduced, and the weapon could only fire in fully automatic firing mode. Unlike many M16 variants, it fired from an [[open bolt]], necessitating the removal of the [[forward assist]] for operating safety. Colt initially packaged these weapons with the MWG 90-round "snail [[Drum magazine|drum]]" (later replaced with the [[Beta C-Mag|Beta Systems C-Mag]]). Colt had also originally used the [[M60 machine gun]] bipod, but switched this to a proprietary design that was lighter for the subsequent Model 750.

The Colt Model 750 was an improvement of the basic principle of the Colt LMG, developed jointly by Colt and Diemaco with an eye to [[Canadian Army]] sales. The improved version featured all A2 parts and is essentially the same as the preceding variant externally except for the redesigned vertical foregrip, now of a ribbed straight cylindrical style. This weapon was marketed by Diemaco as the C7 Light Support Weapon (LSW) or simply as the LSW.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.coltcanada.com/techpubs.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175626/http://www.coltcanada.com/techpubs.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2011-07-08 |title=Maintenance Instructions: C7 family of combat weapons}}</ref> The [[Netherlands Marine Corps]] designate it as "LOAW" (''licht ondersteunend automatisch wapen''/light supporting automatic weapon) and the [[Danish military]] as "LSV M/04". The LSWs used by the Netherlands Marine Corps and the Danish military like many M16 variants fire from a [[closed bolt]] and feature semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes and a forward assist.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/the-colt-lmg/2/ |title=The COLT LMG, Christopher R. Bartocci, 19 August, 2011 |access-date=2021-12-30 |archive-date=2021-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230164959/http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/the-colt-lmg/2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> With its 5.42&nbsp;kg (14.5&nbsp;lbs) the C7 LSW is relatively light and as it uses 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition fed from STANAG magazines, like assault rifles and carbines that are fed in the same way, ammunition is easy to redistribute between riflemen if the operator runs out of ammunition. The lack of belt feed and quick barrel change options limits the C7 LSW and similar magazine fed light support weapon's [[Rate of fire#Sustained or rapid rate|rapid rates of fire]].

Colt and Diemaco further improved on the design, adding a flat top carry handle and a further improved bipod to the weapon in the 1990s. Colt refers to it as the Model 950, but markets it as the Colt Automatic Rifle, and until their purchase by Colt, as the Diemaco LSW. Because of the Colt-Diemaco partnership on this system, it was the only weapon in the Diemaco product line to feature M16A2-type range and windage adjustable rear sights, and when modified a detachable carry handle with M16A2 fully adjustable rear sights (the majority of Diemaco's product line had modified M16A1-type rear sights, and they actually developed a detachable carry handle with modified A1 rear sights). A [[maple leaf]] is stamped on the lower [[Receiver (firearms)|receiver]] of current Colt Automatic Rifles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.colt.com/mil/CAR.asp |title=Colt Automatic Rifle |publisher=Colt Defense LLC |access-date=2008-11-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104125942/http://www.colt.com/mil/CAR.asp |archive-date=2008-11-04 }}</ref>

From 2009 onwards many of the Dutch LOAW purchased in 1994 have had an overhaul: the black furniture has now been replaced by dark earth furniture. New parts include a new retracting stock, ambidextrous controls, an Integrated Upper Receiver (IUR) with a [[free-floating barrel]] and [[Rail Integration System|RIS]] rails for mounting [[LLM01|Laser Light Modules]] and other accessories. The [[C79 optical sight|ELCAN 3.4×28 optical sight]] has also disappeared in favour of the Swedish made [[Aimpoint CompM4]] red dot sight and, if desired, an accompanying Aimpoint [[red dot magnifier|magnifier]]. The polymer [[STANAG magazine|STANAG compliant magazines]] became not exclusively black in color as translucent smoke colored Lancer L5AWM 30-round magazines (NSN: 1005-01-657-7839L5) were also introduced along the black Thermold magazines.<ref>[https://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/feeding-the-black-rifle-a-close-look-at-current-magazines/ Feeding the Black Rifle: A Close Look at Current Magazines]</ref> This upgraded version is now known as "LOAWNLD".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coltcanada.com/upgrades.html|title=The Netherlands Forces - C7NLD, C8NLD, LOAWNLD Upgraded from C7, C7A1, C8, C8A1, LOAW|access-date=15 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120132321/http://www.coltcanada.com/upgrades.html|archive-date=20 November 2014|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

*{{flag|Brazil}}: RO750 used by [[Federal Police of Brazil|Federal Police]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-02 |title=wiw_sa_brazil - worldinventory |url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_brazil |access-date=2024-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602220038/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_brazil |archive-date=2016-06-02 }}</ref>
*{{flag|Brunei}}: Replaced by [[Ultimax 100]].<ref>{{cite web |date=7 June 2007 |title=MINISTRY OF DEFENCE SIGNS CONTRACT FOR THE ULTIMAX-100 LIGHT MACHINE GUN |url=http://www.mindef.gov.bn/new_home/news2007/1-6%20Sign%20Contract%20MINDEF.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214173747/http://www.mindef.gov.bn/new_home/news2007/1-6%20Sign%20Contract%20MINDEF.htm |archive-date=14 February 2012 |access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref>
*{{flag|Denmark}}: C7 Light Support Weapon designated as LSV M/04.<ref name="miller2001">Miller, David (2001). ''The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns''. Salamander Books Ltd. {{ISBN|1-84065-245-4}}.</ref><ref>[https://natmus.dk/historisk-viden/temaer/militaerhistorie/krigen-i-afghanistan/fakta-om-soldaterne/let-stoettevaaben-lsv-m04/ Let Støttevåben LSV M/04 Danish National Museum]</ref>
*{{flag|Honduras}}: Colt Model 611
*{{flag|Mexico}}: M16A2 Light Machine Gun (LMG) variant operated by the Mexican marine infantry of the Mexican Navy (Armada de México).
*{{flag|El Salvador}}: M16A2 Light Machine Gun (LMG) variant operated by the Salvadoran Army and also used by the Salvadoran Army in the Salvadoran Civil War from 1980 to 1992.
*{{flag|Netherlands}}: C7 Light Support Weapon designated as LOAW(NLD) — Used by the [[Netherlands Marine Corps]] and [[Royal Netherlands Army]].<ref name="miller2001"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensie.nl/english/organisation/army/contents/materiel/arms/colt-c7-c8nld-5.56mm|title=Colt C7/C8NLD 5.56mm|access-date=15 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104200752/http://www.defensie.nl/english/organisation/army/contents/materiel/arms/colt-c7-c8nld-5.56mm|archive-date=4 November 2014}}</ref><ref>Bartocci, Christopher R. (2004). Black Rifle II The M16 into the 21st Century. Collector Grade Publications Incorporated. {{ISBN|0-88935-348-4}}.</ref>
*{{flag|Panama}}: Colt Model 611

==See also==
* {{lwc|Colt AR-15}}
* {{lwc|Colt Machine Gun|CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle M2 (AKA: Colt Machine Gun)}}
* {{lwc|Colt IAR6940}}
* {{lwc|Ares Shrike 5.56}}
* {{lwc|M27 IAR}}
* {{lwc|M+G project}}
* {{lwc|RPK}}
* [[Squad automatic weapon]]
* [[Comparison of the AK-47 and M16]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Colt Automatic Rifle}}
{{Commons category|Colt Automatic Rifle in Dutch service}}
{{Commons category|Colt Automatic Rifle in Danish service}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081104125942/http://www.colt.com/mil/CAR.asp Colt Defense Weapons Systems - Colt Automatic Rifle (2003)]
* [https://www.coltcanada.com/light-support-weapon.html Colt Canada - Light Support Weapon (2018)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107215443/https://www.coltcanada.com/light-support-weapon.html |date=2021-01-07 }}
* [http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=430&page=1 "The Colt LMG", Bartocci, Christopher R., ''Small Arms Defense Journal'', 19 August 2011]
* [https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/foto-s/?mode=gallery&view=horizontal&q=Diemaco%20C7%20LSW&rows=1&page=1&reverse=0 Images of Diemaco C7 LSW arms and in Dutch service]
* [https://collectie.nmm.nl/nl/collectie/detail/572028/ Geweermitrailleur systeem Diemaco LOAW, opengewerkt, kaliber 5.56 x 45 mm]

{{ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives}}
{{Colt's Manufacturing Company}}

[[Category:Colt rifles]]
[[Category:5.56×45mm NATO machine guns]]
[[Category:Machine guns of the United States]]
[[Category:Squad automatic weapons]]
[[Category:Automatic rifles]]
[[Category:Light machine guns]]
[[Category:ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1994]]