Mongo's Machine Gun Pages Stoner 63A Commando
Weapons:

 

The Stoner 63A Commando is an offshoot of the LMG. The Commando uses a 15.7" barrel that is fluted, to save weight, and a 150 round feed drum.
The model was designed as a lightweight SAW for the SEAL teams to use in Vietnam. The Navy designated it the XM-207. The XM-207 was later reconfigured to right side feed gun to over come the spin back problem. Feed devices for the right hand feed were the standard 100 round feed box slung under the weapon in a centerline mount.

Points of Interest:
The normal cocking handle is difficult to manipulate with the right side feed and therefore cocking handle is replaced with one that protrudes from the center of the forearm. The Commando / XM-207 also received a new stock configuration with a top sling mount and a molded in "window". The "window" was used as an aid in taking down the bolt carrier. The barrel did not have a carrying handle since barrel changes in combat were considered unnecessary. A sling mount replaced the handle so the weapon could be carried in the low ready slung position.

The 15.7" barrel added some problems in functioning of the gun. The gas port is near the end of the barrel resulting in a reduced amount of energy to operate the gun. When the guns gets dirty, it will tend to "run away" for a few rounds. The 5.56 NATO ammunition is on the lower end of the power scale for reliable operation of a belt fed MG. The XM-207 was used until the adoption of the M249 by the military in 1983.
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