CODE 03-132-966

NAME – XM177

COMMON NAMES – GAU-5/A (Air Force)

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – USA

DATE OF MANUFACTURE – 1966

CALIBER – 5.56x45mm (.223)

OVERALL LENGTH – 68 cm (26.77 in) Stock collapsed, 76.2 cm (30 in) stock extended

BARREL LENGTH – 25.4 cm (10 in) without flash suppressor, 38.1 cm (15 in) with noise/flash suppressor

RIFLING (TYPE & TWIST) – 6 groove, Right-hand twist, 1 turn in 30.5 cm (12 in)

LOAD – M193 Ball Spitzer-pointed full metal jacket

BULLET DIAMETER – 5.70 mm (0.224 in)

BULLET WEIGHT – 3.56 g (55 grains)

MUZZLE VELOCITY – 838 m/s (2750 fps)

MUZZLE ENERGY – 1252 j (924 ft/lb)

WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 2.38 kg (5 lb 4 oz)

WEIGHT (LOADED) – 2.70 kg (5 lb 15 oz) loaded with 20 rounds M193 Ball

SIGHTS – Open, iron, adjustable, Front sight – Round post, adjustable for zero range, Rear sight – Leaf-type with apertures for 0-300 m (0-328 yards) and 300-500 m (328 to 547 yards)

EFFECTIVE RANGE – 400 m (437 yards)

OPERATION – Gas impingement

TYPE OF FIRE – Selective, Semi and Full automatic

RATE OF FIRE – 45-65 rpm Semi, 150-200 rpm Full automatic, 12-15 rpm sustained rpm

CYCLIC ROF – 700-800 rpm

FEED DEVICE – 20 or 30 round aluminum magazine, double column, double feed

FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 20 rd – 0.080 kg (2.83 oz), 30-rd – 0.10 kg (3.5 oz)

FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (LOADED) – 20 rd – 0.32 kg (11 oz) loaded with 20 rds M193 Ball, 30-rd – 0.45 kg (1 lb) loaded with 30 rds M193 Ball

BASIC AMMUNITION LOAD – Six 20-round magazines (120 rounds)

LOAD WEIGHT – 1.92 kg (4 lb 4 oz)

MANUFACTURER – Colt Patent Fire Arms, Hartford, Connecticut

STATUS – Out of production

SERVICE – Limited use by Special Operations forces, evaluation