Gun of the Week , Jan 13th, 2012

[TurretGunner]

As mentioned in the following Thread:
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=121180

This is the inaugural posting of my Gun of the Week Segment. Each Week I will select a new gun, weapon system or launcher to share. I have already identified over 250 unique weapons to share so running out of content will not be an issue. The idea behind this is to share with all of you some weapons that are rarely seen by the public. There are many one offs, prototypes, and limited production items in this collection. The majority have seen combat and many were developed and used by NSW throughout the years. Many more were war captures during WW2/Korea/VN/Gulf. It would be selfish of me not to share this so without further ado........I present you:

The Cadillac Gage Stoner 63 Rifle and LMG

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k68/CobraCutter/Stoner631_zpsf575aa32.jpg

This specimen is a Stoner 63 LMG. It is fed from the right by a removable plastic box magazine that I believe holds 200 rounds of linked 5.56. (Similar in size to a 200rd SAW box). This example has a fluted barrel with a sort of A2 flash hider with slits cut at a 180* across the top.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k68/CobraCutter/Stoner632_zps6abb9415.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k68/CobraCutter/Stoner633_zps1a7d55b3.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k68/CobraCutter/Stoner634_zps5de35aed.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k68/CobraCutter/Stoner635_zps0f3d5fdc.jpg

The last picture is of a 63A Carbine variant next to the LMG. The Carbine and the LMG are incredibly light, compact, and easy to bring onto target. They have the point ability of a M4 style rifle and I can see why the SEALs in VN loved this weapon system. As someone who carried a M249 SAW in Iraq with full load out, I can appreciate the size and similar firepower the Stoner 63 brings to the table. In my humble opinion, it is a superior weapon system and I would take one over the M249 any day. This is what a real LMG looks like.

We have about a half a dozen of these in various configurations. One even sports wood furniture.

I hope you enjoyed this gun of the week. Stay tuned for a new and exciting example next week.

[Magic_Salad0892]

This is gonna be a great addition. Thanks!

May I advise that you post some pictures of the guns internals that you post? Or them being shot?

[TMS951]

Very cool, thank you.

[montanadave]

I looked but I don't see the "bullet button" on that box magazine. :confused:

[Mauser KAR98K]

From my understanding, UTD/SEALs loved that weapon in Vietnam.

[No.6]

Of everything "out there", that is the one I wish I had. With a few hundred thousand rounds and spare parts. Wanted one ever since I saw one for sale at a gun show in Houston way back when.

[crusader377]

Awesome post and thank you for sharing. I'm not that knowledgable on the Stoner 63 but it looks like a great weapon. Why wasn't it more widely adopted?

[TurretGunner]

Awesome post and thank you for sharing. I'm not that knowledgable on the Stoner 63 but it looks like a great weapon. Why wasn't it more widely adopted?

In essense, Military procurement.
First they were trying to push the rifle as a standard issue rifle that had parts commonality with the LMG and was semi-modular.

The requirements had them using underpowered ammo that made the weapon unreliable. Had they used correct spec ammo and allowed them to make a few changes, it would have satisfied requirements.

CG stopped making them in '71, and the SEALs were using them up through the 80's. By that time they were old and worn out, so they moved onto the SAW IIRC.

Had they decicded to focus on the LMG variant and make nessisary changes early on, I belive it would still be our standard LMG.

[SteyrAUG]

I only wish Robarm has more supported their Stoner 63 series.

Great addition to the forum, thank you.

[Doc. Holiday]

Sweet! Looks like you got the green light to do this! I'm really excited to see some future reviews of yours. Thanks!

[TurretGunner]

I think next week we will have to do a pistol from the collection. I have a few ideas that you guys might like.....