Colt CAR-15
- Category
- Carbine
- Barrel
- 381 mm
- Weight, empty
- 2.72 kg
- Introduced
- 1966
About
What it is, and why it matters
The Colt CAR-15 is a select-fire carbine chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by Colt's Manufacturing Company since 1966. This American-manufactured firearm reflects the engineering traditions and quality standards of its country of origin, designed to meet the demands of both civilian and professional users in a competitive global marketplace. Featuring a 30-round magazine capacity, this carbine offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense. The 15.0-inch barrel maximizes accuracy potential and ballistic performance, making this an excellent choice for target shooting, competition, or field use. At 2720g (95.9 oz), this is a substantial firearm whose weight contributes to reduced felt recoil and enhanced stability during precision shooting. The aluminum alloy frame achieves a notable weight reduction compared to all-steel construction while maintaining the structural rigidity required for safe, reliable operation. This firearm represents its manufacturer's commitment to delivering a well-engineered, reliable product that serves the needs of discerning shooters seeking quality, accuracy, and dependable performance from a proven platform.
The CAR-15 became synonymous with Vietnam War special operations, frequently seen in the hands of Green Berets, SEALs, and MACV-SOG operators conducting classified missions behind enemy lines. Its compact size made it ideal for helicopter operations and jungle patrol work where the full-length M16 proved unwieldy. The weapon's distinctive crack and flash made it instantly recognizable on the battlefield.
The CAR-15's unique XM148 moderator served dual purposes: acting as a flash suppressor and providing back-pressure to ensure reliable cycling with the short gas system. Early models suffered from severe muzzle blast and flash, which the moderator only partially addressed. The weapon earned nicknames including 'the Shorty' and 'the Stubby' among troops. The XM177E1 featured a 10-inch barrel while the XM177E2 extended this to 11.5 inches for improved reliability and velocity. The weapon influenced the development of the M4 carbine two decades later. Production ended around 1970 when Colt shifted focus to the M16A1, though many CAR-15s remained in service through the 1980s.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC
- Category
- Carbine
- Country
- United States
- Status
- Discontinued
- Produced
- 1966 to 1970
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 381 mm
- Overall length
- 838 mm
- Weight, empty
- 2.72 kg
- Weight, loaded
- 3.30 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Gas operated direct impingement
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer fired
- Trigger
- Single stage
- Trigger pull
- 34.0 N
- Capacity
- 30
- Magazine
- Detachable box
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Aluminum alloy
- Barrel
- Steel
- Stock
- Polymer
- Finish
- Hard anodized
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 838 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 1405 J
- Effective range
- 400 m
- Maximum range
- 3200 m
- Rate of fire
- 750 rpm
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Telescoping stock
Select fire
Chrome lined barrel
Chrome lined chamber
Rotating bolt
Triangular handguard
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 141 5.56x45mm NATO carbines | 2.72 kg | 2.95 kg | Lighter than about 80% |
| Overall lengthAmong 144 5.56x45mm NATO carbines | 838 mm | 838 mm | Near the median |
| Barrel lengthAmong 150 5.56x45mm NATO carbines | 381 mm | 406 mm | Shorter than about 60% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 150 5.56x45mm NATO carbines | 30 | 30 | Near the median |
Answers
Questions about the Colt CAR-15
How much does the Colt CAR-15 weigh?
The Colt CAR-15 weighs 2.72 kg (6.00 lb) empty and 3.30 kg (7.28 lb) loaded.
What caliber is the Colt CAR-15?
The Colt CAR-15 is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO.
How many rounds does the Colt CAR-15 hold?
The Colt CAR-15 holds 30 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the Colt CAR-15?
The Colt CAR-15 is 838 mm (33.0 in) long overall, with a 381 mm (15.0 in) barrel.
Who makes the Colt CAR-15?
The Colt CAR-15 is made by Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC (United States). It was designed by Eugene Stoner.
When was the Colt CAR-15 introduced?
The Colt CAR-15 was introduced in 1966 and discontinued in 1970.
How does the Colt CAR-15 operate?
The Colt CAR-15 uses a gas operated direct impingement action, and its firing mechanism is hammer fired.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- United States Army
- 1966
- United States Air Force
- 1967
- United States Navy SEALs
- 1967
- United States Special Forces
- 1966
- South Vietnamese Armed Forces
- 1968
- Israeli Defense Forces
- 1970
Provenance
Confidence in this record
85%
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/colt-car-15' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "colt-car-15", "name": "Colt CAR-15", "manufacturer": { "id": "colt", "name": "Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC", "countryCode": "US", "foundedYear": 1855, "website": "https://www.colt.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": "American firearms manufacturer headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1855 and now a subsidiary of Colt CZ Group, continuing production of iconic firearms including the 1911 pistol.", "status": "active", "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:38", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:43:38", "version": "7143c7ff3f7e156063a240f2df7b4746ee1c0394d7cd5f592d05bac43233d637" }, "category": { "id": "carbine", "name": "Carbine", "description": "Shortened rifles for close-quarters use" }, "country_of_origin": "US", "year_introduced": 1966, "barrel_length_mm": 381, "weight_empty_g": 2720, "action_type": "gas_operated_direct_impingement"}