Stoner 63
| Caliber: | 5.56 x 45 mm NATO |
| Action: | Gas-actuated |
| Weight: | 6.9 kg (15 lbs) |
| Length: | 1020 mm (40 in) |
| Rate of fire: | 700-1000 rpm |
| Ammo feed: |
|
| Effective range: | 1100 m |
The Stoner 63 is a modular assault rifle/LMG designed by Dr. Eugene Stoner.
Overview
The concept behind the 63 was that of a weapon that could be easily reconfigured as a carbine, a rifle, or a light machine gun/SAW feeding linked ammunition from the left, right or top. The gas system was mounted in different positions depending on the weapon's configuration. The Stoners were complex and required high levels of maintenance to operate reliably, especially in the humid jungles of Vietnam where it made its debut. However, the SEALs who employed them did their part and showed that the Stoner 63 could be a very effective weapon.
During 1970-1971 the Army designated it XM-207 and deployed it to select special forces units for evaluation. Apparently having been rejected by the Army, the project was dropped in 1971. Around 4000 units were built in total.
Of the entire Stoner 63 design, one part survives - the ammunition links were later modified to become the M27 links used in modern 5.56 mm machine guns like the M249 SAW.
Variants
The Stoner 63/63A design could be rapidly reconfigured into the following weapons:
- Stoner 63A Rifle
- Stoner 63A Carbine
- Stoner 63A Commando
- Stoner 63A LMG