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Colt Machine Gun
Photo: Unknown author · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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ColtMachineGun

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · United States · 1965
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ColtMachineGun

Colt Machine Gun
Colt Machine Gun Photo: Unknown author · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
60
Effective Range
50
Penetration
45
Reliability
75
Accuracy
65
Barrel Endurance
60
Mount Versatility
55
Controllability
70
Portability
85
Cost-Effectiveness
70
Origin United States
ManufacturerColt's Manufacturing Company
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraCold War
In service1965–1969
Operators11 countries
Data Quality87%
62
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
18/18
Cold War
76/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
60
Effective Range
50
Penetration
45
Reliability
75
Accuracy
65
Barrel Endurance
60
Mount Versatility
55
Controllability
70
Portability
85
Cost-Effectiveness
70
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
Colt Machine Gun
Production
1965–1969
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · COLD WAR
18
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
55
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
62
general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Production Year1965
  • DesignerRobert F. Roy; Henry J. Tatro; George F. Curtis
  • Weight (Empty)5.21 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)5.67 kg
  • Currently In ServiceNo
  • Notable UsersUnited States Navy SEALs
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
  • Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO (CMG-1, CMG-1A, CMG-2); 7.62x51mm NATO (CMG-3)
  • Calibre5.56 mm
  • Case Length45 mm
  • Calibre Classintermediate
  • Bullet Weight55 g
  • RimfireNo
  • Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation6MOD.6
◇Barrel & Sights1MOD.1
  • Rifling Twist1:9
⬢Production & Cost3MOD.3
  • Production Start1965
  • Production End1969
  • Variants4
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1965Production started
  2. 1969Production ended
61
years in service
4
years in production
4
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 7 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →