XM177E2

From the Metal Gear Wiki

[edit] Overview

The XM117E2 is the designation for the second version of the CAR-15 Commando carbine purchased by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. It was basically a carbine version of the XM16E1, using the same basic receiver and parts with a shortened stock and barrel.

During the Vietnam War, American soldiers encountered problems with their full-sized M14 and M16 rifles. Their size made it difficult to both carry and aim them in the jungles covering most of Vietnam. Because encounters with the enemy in this thick foliage often were short-range, quick firefights between small units, soldiers needed a weapon that could be quickly aimed and fired, rather than long-range accuracy. In 1966, to alleviate this problem, the U.S. Army purchased and issued Colt 609 Commando's (Army classification XM117E1) to front-line troops. Several problems were found with the carbine, including double feeds (also a problem with early M16's and aggravated by the shortened gas-porting system), loud report and bright muzzle flash (caused by the shortened barrel allowing more propellant to exit the barrel before burning), barrel fouling, and accuracy.

In 1967, to counter some of the defects found in the E1, the MACV SOG purchased 510 Colt 629 Commando's, classifying them as the XM117E2. The major difference was a longer 11.5 inch barrel compared to the E1's 10 inches. This served to lessen the noise and muzzle flash, although the other problems found in the E1 were not fixed.

[edit] In Game

The XM177E2 is featured in MGO; primarily used by FOX soldiers. The weapon can also be acquired by the player.