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.

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

• 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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