Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
M231 Firing Port Weapon
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1980–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ASSAULT RIFLES · COLD WAR
83
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
60
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the assault rifles category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Production Year1980
- Service Entry Year1980
- Weight (Empty)3.329 kg
- Weight (Loaded)3.79 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre4MOD.4
- Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
- Calibre5.56 mm
- Case Length45 mm
- Bullet Weight4 g
▣Operation9MOD.9
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesfully automatic
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity30
- Cyclic Rate of Fire50
- Practical Rate of Fire55
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typeselector switch
◇Ballistics8MOD.8
- Muzzle Velocity945 m/s
- Muzzle Energy1,750
- Effective Range (point)300 m
- Effective Range (area)300 m
- Maximum Range3,600 m
- Sighting Range300 m
- Penetration6 mm
- Accuracy4
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
- Barrel Length396 mm
- Rifling Twist1:12
- Rifling Grooves6
- Sight Typeflip-up iron sights
- Iron SightsYes
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialaluminum alloy
- Furniture Materialpolymer
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitylimited
⬢Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1980
- Variants0
▲Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
- Width55 mm
- Height200 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1980Production started
- 1990First deployment: Gulf War
46
years in service
0
countries operating
ⓘ 1 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
M231 FIRING PORT WEAPON · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
07 / MASS Score
ASSAULT RIFLES RANKING Assault Rifles · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
271ASSAULT RIFLES83COLD WAR · ASSAULT RIFLES2094UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS224PERFORMANCE/PRICE · ASSAULT RIFLES
ⓘ Rankings are within theAssault Riflescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
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