Stoner 63A Commando - Revision history

Skizmophonic at 08:08, 24 February 2026

2026-02-24T08:08:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:08, 24 February 2026
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	The [[Stoner 63]], designed by Eugene Stoner, is an innovative modular weapon system developed during the [[Vietnam War]] era. Its versatility allowed it to be configured as an [[assault rifle]], [[carbine]], [[light machine gun]], or even a vehicle-mounted weapon. Its lightweight design and ability to quickly change configurations made it ideal for jungle warfare conditions in Vietnam, where mobility and adaptability were crucial. Despite its promising features, production and deployment were limited, and it didn't see widespread use due to various factors including cost and reliability issues. However, its legacy as a forward-thinking firearm design continues to influence modern small arms development.

	~~=HISTORY=~~		'''The Stoner 63A Commando''' is a compact “commando” configuration of the U.S. 5.56×45mm [[Stoner 63]] modular weapon system designed by Eugene Stoner. It is best known for providing a shorter, handier Stoner 63A setup intended for special operations and close-range jungle fighting, while retaining the system’s shared receiver and modular parts commonality.
	~~After leaving ArmaLite, Eugene~~ Stoner~~, renowned for his military small arms designs, conceived~~ a modular weapon system ~~adaptable to multiple configurations~~. ~~Collaborating with Cadillac Gage's Howard Carson in Costa Mesa~~, ~~California~~, ~~Stoner developed~~ the ~~system, which was built around a common~~ receiver ~~with interchangeable~~ parts. The first prototype, the Stoner M69W, was completed in 1962, followed by the Stoner 62. The focus later shifted to the smaller 5.56×45mm cartridge, leading to the production of the Stoner 63 in 1963.

	~~Despite initial interest~~ and ~~adoption by~~ the U.S. ~~Marines for trials, the Stoner 63 faced~~ reliability issues ~~in Army tests~~, leading to ~~the~~ improved Stoner 63A in 1966. ~~Further enhancements were attempted~~ in the ~~XM207 variant from 1969 to 1971~~, including ~~modifications to improve firing rates~~ and ~~structural integrity~~. ~~However~~, the ~~project~~ was ~~ultimately discontinued~~ in ~~1971 after U~~.S. ~~military priorities shifted following~~ the ~~Vietnam War withdrawal announcement.~~		==HISTORY==

			After leaving ArmaLite, Eugene Stoner developed a modular weapons system built around a common receiver with interchangeable components that could be reconfigured into multiple roles. Early prototypes were completed in 1962, and production Stoner 63 weapons in 5.56×45mm began in 1963, with Cadillac Gage as the manufacturer. U.S. testing found reliability and durability issues, leading to an improved production standard—Stoner 63A—introduced in 1966.

			The Commando configuration was one of the shortest shoulder-fired setups in the Stoner family, intended for users who prioritized compactness and mobility. In Vietnam, the Stoner 63/63A system saw limited adoption rather than wide standardization, with U.S. Navy SEALs the most commonly documented combat users. Period photos and later historical writeups frequently associate SEAL platoons with Stoner 63A weapons in multiple configurations, including short-barrel “commando” variants carried for raids and riverine/amphibious missions. Despite strong niche appeal, overall complexity, cost, and maintenance demands limited broader issue, and the system was gradually replaced by later platforms over subsequent decades.

			===Sources===
			* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoner_63 Stoner 63 \| Wikipedia
			* https://smallarmsreview.com/the-stoner-63as-earliest-days-in-combat/ “The Stoner 63A’s Earliest Days in Combat” \| Small Arms Review
			* https://www.forgottenweapons.com/stoner-63a-automatic-rifle-the-original-modular-weapon/ Stoner 63A (background and context) \| Forgotten Weapons

	~~A small number of Stoner 63 and 63A units were used by U.S. Navy SEALs in Vietnam, but by the late 1980s, the system was phased out in favor of newer designs like the M249 SAW.~~
	~~<br>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoner_63 SOURCE]~~
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	<gallery mode="packed" heights="400px">		<div class="mw-collapsible" style="border:1px solid #ccc; padding:5px; width:100%;">
			<div style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold;">Real-Life Photos</div>
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	File:WKhRBxB.jpeg		File:WKhRBxB.jpeg
	File:Stoner64COM.jpg		File:Stoner64COM.jpg
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	File:ElRvmps.jpeg		File:ElRvmps.jpeg
	File:Navy-SEALs-Foxtrot-One-Team-Vietnam-1-1024x770.jpg\|Navy SEALs of Foxtrot Platoon with their weapons, including multiple Stoner 63 rifles. (Photo: US Navy SEAL Museum)		File:Navy-SEALs-Foxtrot-One-Team-Vietnam-1-1024x770.jpg\|Navy SEALs of Foxtrot Platoon with their weapons, including multiple Stoner 63 rifles. (Photo: US Navy SEAL Museum)
	File:1584800349 stoner-63-lmg-vietnam-greg-2.jpg~~\|All "seals" are armed with various configurations of the Stoner 63. On the shoulder of the fighter on the right is a machine gun with a disconnected butt. Photo: “The Coronado Times”~~		File:1584800349 stoner-63-lmg-vietnam-greg-2.jpg
	</gallery>		</gallery>
			</div>
			</div>

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Skizmophonic at 02:15, 1 October 2025

2025-10-01T02:15:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:15, 1 October 2025
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	! rowspan=2 \| [[Weapon Script Name]]		! rowspan=2 \| [[Weapon Script Name]]
	\|-		\|-
	\|Stoner 63A Commando\|\|[[5.56mm]]\|\|[[USA]]\|\|~~1963~~\|\| Cadillac Gage <br>Knight's Armament Company \|\|15.7 in (398.8 mm)\|\|36 in (913 mm)\|\|weapon_stoner63		\|Stoner 63A Commando\|\|[[5.56mm]]\|\|[[USA]]\|\|1966\|\| Cadillac Gage <br>Knight's Armament Company \|\|15.7 in (398.8 mm)\|\|36 in (913 mm)\|\|weapon_stoner63
	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}

Skizmophonic at 07:52, 5 November 2024

2024-11-05T07:52:58Z

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			[[Category:Weapons]]
			[[Category:Weapons of Vietnam]]
	{\| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;text-align: center;width:90%"		{\| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;text-align: center;width:90%"
	\|-		\|-

Skizmophonic at 01:34, 23 October 2024

2024-10-23T01:34:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:34, 23 October 2024
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	! rowspan=2 \| [[Weapon Script Name]]		! rowspan=2 \| [[Weapon Script Name]]
	\|-		\|-
	\|Stoner 63A Commando\|\|5.56mm\|\|[[USA]]\|\|1963\|\| Cadillac Gage <br>Knight's Armament Company \|\|15.7 in (398.8 mm)\|\|36 in (913 mm)\|\|weapon_stoner63		\|Stoner 63A Commando\|\|[[5.56mm]]\|\|[[USA]]\|\|1963\|\| Cadillac Gage <br>Knight's Armament Company \|\|15.7 in (398.8 mm)\|\|36 in (913 mm)\|\|weapon_stoner63
	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}

Skizmophonic at 17:48, 11 October 2024

2024-10-11T17:48:12Z

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	! Partial!! Empty		! Partial!! Empty
	\|-		\|-
	\|33\|\|×2.5 = 82.5\|\|×1.2 = 39.6\|\|×1.15 = 37.95\|\|×0.8 = 26.4\|\|×0.75 = 19.8\|\|NO\|\|NO\|\| Seconds\|\| Seconds		\|33\|\|×2.5 = 82.5\|\|×1.2 = 39.6\|\|×1.15 = 37.95\|\|×0.8 = 26.4\|\|×0.75 = 19.8\|\|NO\|\|NO\|\|2.66 Seconds\|\|3.233 Seconds
	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}

Skizmophonic at 17:34, 11 October 2024

2024-10-11T17:34:02Z

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	! rowspan=2 \| [[Bayonet]]		! rowspan=2 \| [[Bayonet]]
	! rowspan=2 \| [[Rifle Grenades]]		! rowspan=2 \| [[Rifle Grenades]]
			! colspan=2 \| Reload Speed
	\|-		\|-
	\|33\|\|×2.5 = 82.5\|\|×1.2 = 39.6\|\|×1.15 = 37.95\|\|×0.8 = 26.4\|\|×0.75 = 19.8\|\|NO\|\|NO		! Partial!! Empty
			\|-
			\|33\|\|×2.5 = 82.5\|\|×1.2 = 39.6\|\|×1.15 = 37.95\|\|×0.8 = 26.4\|\|×0.75 = 19.8\|\|NO\|\|NO\|\| Seconds\|\| Seconds
	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}

Skizmophonic at 07:01, 8 October 2024

2024-10-08T07:01:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:01, 8 October 2024
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	<hr>		<hr>
	The [[Stoner 63]], designed by Eugene Stoner, is an innovative modular weapon system developed during the Vietnam War era. Its versatility allowed it to be configured as an [[assault rifle]], [[carbine]], [[light machine gun]], or even a vehicle-mounted weapon. Its lightweight design and ability to quickly change configurations made it ideal for jungle warfare conditions in Vietnam, where mobility and adaptability were crucial. Despite its promising features, production and deployment were limited, and it didn't see widespread use due to various factors including cost and reliability issues. However, its legacy as a forward-thinking firearm design continues to influence modern small arms development.		The [[Stoner 63]], designed by Eugene Stoner, is an innovative modular weapon system developed during the [[Vietnam War]] era. Its versatility allowed it to be configured as an [[assault rifle]], [[carbine]], [[light machine gun]], or even a vehicle-mounted weapon. Its lightweight design and ability to quickly change configurations made it ideal for jungle warfare conditions in Vietnam, where mobility and adaptability were crucial. Despite its promising features, production and deployment were limited, and it didn't see widespread use due to various factors including cost and reliability issues. However, its legacy as a forward-thinking firearm design continues to influence modern small arms development.

	=HISTORY=		=HISTORY=

Skizmophonic at 21:42, 7 October 2024

2024-10-07T21:42:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:42, 7 October 2024
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	<hr>		<hr>
	The [[Stoner 63]], designed by Eugene Stoner, is an innovative modular weapon system developed during the Vietnam War era. Its versatility allowed it to be configured as a [[assault rifle]], [[carbine]], [[light machine gun]], or even a vehicle-mounted weapon. Its lightweight design and ability to quickly change configurations made it ideal for jungle warfare conditions in Vietnam, where mobility and adaptability were crucial. Despite its promising features, production and deployment were limited, and it didn't see widespread use due to various factors including cost and reliability issues. However, its legacy as a forward-thinking firearm design continues to influence modern small arms development.		The [[Stoner 63]], designed by Eugene Stoner, is an innovative modular weapon system developed during the Vietnam War era. Its versatility allowed it to be configured as an [[assault rifle]], [[carbine]], [[light machine gun]], or even a vehicle-mounted weapon. Its lightweight design and ability to quickly change configurations made it ideal for jungle warfare conditions in Vietnam, where mobility and adaptability were crucial. Despite its promising features, production and deployment were limited, and it didn't see widespread use due to various factors including cost and reliability issues. However, its legacy as a forward-thinking firearm design continues to influence modern small arms development.

	=HISTORY=		=HISTORY=

Skizmophonic at 04:39, 4 October 2024

2024-10-04T04:39:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:39, 4 October 2024
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	! rowspan=2 \| [[Place of Origin]]		! rowspan=2 \| [[Place of Origin]]
	! rowspan=2 \| [[Date]]		! rowspan=2 \| [[Date]]
	! rowspan=2 \| [[~~Armory~~]]		! rowspan=2 \| [[Manufacturer]]
	! rowspan=2 \| Barrel Length		! rowspan=2 \| Barrel Length
	! rowspan=2 \| Total Length		! rowspan=2 \| Total Length

Skizmophonic at 02:31, 12 June 2024

2024-06-12T02:31:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:31, 12 June 2024
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	File:ElRvmps.jpeg		File:ElRvmps.jpeg
	File:Navy-SEALs-Foxtrot-One-Team-Vietnam-1-1024x770.jpg\|Navy SEALs of Foxtrot Platoon with their weapons, including multiple Stoner 63 rifles. (Photo: US Navy SEAL Museum)		File:Navy-SEALs-Foxtrot-One-Team-Vietnam-1-1024x770.jpg\|Navy SEALs of Foxtrot Platoon with their weapons, including multiple Stoner 63 rifles. (Photo: US Navy SEAL Museum)
			File:1584800349 stoner-63-lmg-vietnam-greg-2.jpg\|All "seals" are armed with various configurations of the Stoner 63. On the shoulder of the fighter on the right is a machine gun with a disconnected butt. Photo: “The Coronado Times”
	</gallery>		</gallery>

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:39, 4 October 2024
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	! rowspan=2 \| [[Place of Origin]]		! rowspan=2 \| [[Place of Origin]]
	! rowspan=2 \| [[Date]]		! rowspan=2 \| [[Date]]
	! rowspan=2 \| [[~~Armory~~]]		! rowspan=2 \| [[Manufacturer]]
	! rowspan=2 \| Barrel Length		! rowspan=2 \| Barrel Length
	! rowspan=2 \| Total Length		! rowspan=2 \| Total Length