Stoner 63 - A Legend

Who doesn't recognize the images from Vietnam, where the Navy SEALs carry a combination of machine gun and assault rifle with a bulky box below? That's the Stoner 63, which we want to introduce to you today.

The development of the Stoner began in 1962. A year later, the US Marine Corps became interested in the weapon. After some improvements (including a modified safety and belt feed), the Stoner 63A model went into production in 1966.

Both the Stoner 63 and 63A were used by the US Navy SEALs. In 1967, the weapon was introduced on a trial basis to a company in the 1st Marine Division.

The Marines received the rifle configuration, classified as XM22 (or XM22E1 for the 63A model). Officers received the smaller carbine version (XM23, in the lower image the lower weapon), while the machine gunners received the LMG or MMG version (which only differed by an adapter for mounting on a tripod). However, the Stoner did not prevail against the M16, as the maintenance effort was considerably higher.

In comparison to the configurations mentioned above, the SEALs mainly used the Commando version (XM207) along with the LMG. This version did not have a quick-change barrel to save weight, and the charging handle was positioned differently (the upper weapon in the top image). Despite the different versions and users, the Stoner 63 will likely be remembered especially as the LMG of the Navy SEALs in Vietnam!