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M231 Firing Port Weapon
Photo: U.S. military · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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M231FiringPortWeapon

Assault Rifles · United States · 1980
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M231FiringPortWeapon

M231 Firing Port Weapon
M231 Firing Port Weapon Photo: U.S. military · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
40
Accuracy
30
Effective Range
25
Controllability
50
Reliability
70
Ergonomics
35
Modularity
20
Weight
60
Versatility
25
Cost-Effectiveness
55
Origin United States
ManufacturerColt's Manufacturing Company
CategoryAssault Rifles
EraCold War
In service1980
Operators1 countries
Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
41
Assault Rifles MASS Rating
83/83
Cold War
271/279
All-Time
Assault Rifles · 10 axes scored
Firepower
40
Accuracy
30
Effective Range
25
Controllability
50
Reliability
70
Ergonomics
35
Modularity
20
Weight
60
Versatility
25
Cost-Effectiveness
55
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
M231 Firing Port Weapon
Production
1980–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ASSAULT RIFLES · COLD WAR
83
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
60
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
41
assault rifles category
ⓘ 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
◇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
⬢Production & Cost2MOD.2
  • Production Start1980
  • Variants0
▲Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
  • Width55 mm
  • Height200 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1980Production started
  2. 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
M16 rifle 1962
M231 Firing Port Weapon 1980
06 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Assault Rifles entry →