These weapons were introduced to the US military in the 1960s

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These weapons were introduced to the US military in the 1960s

The 1960s were undoubtedly a groovy time, bringing the Civil Rights Movement, hippie culture, cat glasses and Twiggy to the American landscape. Unfortunately, the 1960s were also the decade when America became embroiled in the Vietnam War. It was extremely important that America’s military be equal in every possible way. The weapons had to be ultra efficient and technologically sound. Overall, many of the weapons designed in the 60s continue to shape our military today.

One such weapon created and used in this decade was the GAU-17/A Minigun. This gatling gun was a six-barreled electric weapon capable of firing thousands of rounds in less than a minute. This weapon has become an indispensable part of the American arsenal.

Here at 24/7 Wall St. take a closer look at the weapons of the 1960s. To identify US military weapons introduced in the 1960s, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a small arms catalog from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, weapons and aircraft. I have ordered these guns in alphabetical order. I have also included additional information on the type of small arm, year introduced, manufacturer, firing action, caliber and feed.

Why are we covering this?

These weapons were introduced to the US military in the 1960s

The 1960s saw significant advances in firearms and new gun features. These weapons helped the US establish power and control in Vietnam as well as during the Cuban Missile Crisis. They have shaped the defense industry for decades since then. By exploring US-made military weapons introduced in the 1960s, we can better understand US strategy during the Cold War and how changing weaponry matched military needs.

Here’s a look at the American-made military weapons introduced in the 1960s:

ArmaLite AR-18

Type: Automatic rifle
Year of introduction: 1969
Producer: ArmaLite
Pull Action: Gas operated, rotary screw, short stroke piston
Caliber and advance: 5.56x45mm NATO; Removable box magazine with 20, 30 or 40 rounds

CAR-15 Commando

Type: Assault rifle / submachine gun
Year of introduction: 1966
Producer: Foal
Pull Action: Semi/Full Auto, Gas Operated, Locking Bolt
Caliber and advance: 5.56x45mm M193; Detachable box magazine with 20 or 30 rounds

China Lake Grenade Launcher

Type: Pump action grenade launcher
Year of introduction: 1968
Producer: China Lake Naval Weapons Center
Pull Action: Manually operated pump, repeated fire
Caliber and advance: 40x46mm SR; Tubular magazine with 3 rounds

M16 corner

Type: Assault rifle
Year of introduction: 1963
Producer: Foal
Pull Action: Gas operated rotary screw
Caliber and advance: 5.56x45mm NATO; 20 or 30 round detachable box magazine, 100 round C-Mag beta drum

FIM-43 Redeye

Type: Man-Portable Air Defense System
Year of introduction: 1968
Producer: General dynamics
Pull Action: Blast fragmentation, tail tracking
Caliber and advance: 70 mm; One shot

GAU-17/A Minigun

Type: Six barrel gatling gun
Year of introduction: 1965
Producer: General Electric
Pull Action: Electric driven, belt fed
Caliber and advance: 7.62x51mm NATO; Belts bound between 1,500 and 4,400 rounds

M134 submachine gun

Type: Six barrel gatling gun
Year of introduction: 1963
Producer: General Electric
Pull Action: Electric driven, belt fed
Caliber and advance: 7.62x51mm NATO; Belt tied to 4,000 rounds

M21 Sniper Weapon System (SWS)

Type: Semi-automatic sniper rifle
Year of introduction: 1969
Producer: Rock Island Arsenal
Pull Action: Gas operated rotary screw
Caliber and advance: 7.62x51mm NATO; Detachable box magazine with 5, 10 or 20 rounds

M28 / M29 Davy Crockett

Type: Recoilless tactical nuclear weapon
Year of introduction: 1961
Producer: Rock Island Arsenal
Pull Action: Manually operated
Caliber and advance: 120mm, 155mm; One shot

M67 recoilless rifle

Type: Portable anti-infantry / anti-armor weapon
Year of introduction: 1963
Producer: State Factories
Pull Action: Re-usable, non-recoil launch tube
Caliber and advance: 90 mm; One shot

LAW M72

Type: Anti-tank missile launcher
Year of introduction: 1963
Producer: Talley Industries
Pull Action: Disposable tube
Caliber and advance: 66 mm; One shot

M79

Type: The grenade launcher
Year of introduction: 1961
Producer: Various contractors
Pull Action: Single shot, loaded to sleep, reusable
Caliber and advance: 40x46mm; One shot

Model 1100

Type: Self-loading semi-automatic rifle
Year of introduction: 1963
Producer: Remington Arms
Pull Action: Semi-automatic, automatic loading
Caliber and advance: 12, 16 or 20 gauge; Internal tubular magazine with 4 or 10 rounds

Model 700

Type: Bolt-action rifle
Year of introduction: 1962
Producer: Remington Arms
Pull Action: Bolt-action, rotating bolt
Caliber and advance: .223 Remington, .30-06; Internal magazine with 3, 4, 5 or 6 rounds

Remington M40

Type: Bolt Sniper Rifle
Year of introduction: 1966
Producer: Remington Arms
Pull Action: Bolt-action, rotating bolt
Caliber and advance: 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester; 5-round integral box magazine, 5-round detachable magazine

Mk 19 jacket

Type: Automatic grenade launcher
Year of introduction: 1967
Producer: Defense jacket
Pull Action: Self powered, air cooled, crown fed, blowback operated
Caliber and advance: 40x53mm; Belt fed

Smith & Wesson Model 76

Type: Submachine gun
Year of introduction: 1967
Producer: Smith & Wesson
Pull Action: Blowback operated
Caliber and advance: parabellum 9x19mm; Detachable box magazine with 14, 24 or 36 rounds

Stoner 63

Type: Modular assault weapon
Year of introduction: 1963
Producer: Cadillac Gage Company
Pull Action: Gas operated rotary screw
Caliber and advance: 5.56x45mm NATO; Detachable 30-round box magazine, disintegration belt, 75-round drum

Winchester Model 1200

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Type: Pump action shotgun
Year of introduction: 1968
Producer: Winchester Repeating Arms Company
Pull Action: Manual sliding system with pump
Caliber and advance: 12, 16 or 20 gauge; 4, 5, 6 or 7 shot capacity

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