Colt GAU-5 Clone

[@dvuswaz]

I did a 6 month stint in the armory for my USAF Security Police Squadron in 1978 and there was a rack of (5) GAU 5’s there, not issued. I turned in my M16 and I issued one to myself, qual’d with it, and carried for the next 2 1/2 years until my discharge. Loved that rifle. And, no full size AR15’s for me since then. I have only ever carried carbines since.

[@dlbracer56]

USAF SP armorer at Kadena Okinawa, '75-77 and Ellsworth AFB SD '77-'78. At Kadena, after leaving the armory, I was issued a GAU rather than a M16A1

[@johnpagdilao6075]

Those old school stocks are still my favorite.

[@UrbanTiger74]

CAR stocks are king.

[@juancolon123]

👍🏼

[@Truth-is-objective]

Stonk

[@jasonarmstrong5750]

Can’t beat the classics

[@ShutUpBubi]

Same here

[@Mrgunsngear]

beautiful carbine

[@VickersTacticalLAV]

I agree! I hope your well brother !

[@bombsaway6340]

Great video brings back memories. Former USAF CSAR H 53 helo pilot carried this for years. Never fired it but carried it in the cockpit.

[@DollyRanch]

What an epic aircraft that must have been!

[@swegmastur614]

Is that a common thing? Do y'all wear plates as well?

[@bombsaway6340]

Sweg Mastur had them too, but didn’t wear much. The seat I sat in was capable of stopping a 20mm round. All rifle training was done with a M16...what there was of it.

[@wallaroo1295]

*"What does GAU mean/stand for??"* - Probably the question in a lot of viewers minds... I'll tell you, in my round about way of story telling. When I was and MP at Bragg in the late 90s (118th), the Army (and military in general) - was going through a massive small arms upgrade. Leaving were the M-16A2s, and M-60s for M4s and M-240Bs, Humvees for ASVs - everything moving towards that "Force 21/Brigade Combat Team" model. The Pope AFB Security Forces (who also changed names from Security Police during this time) - talked about having new "GAUs" - (Possibly they called them GAU-4s? It's been a while! 😊) -But none of them could tell me *what the hell does GAU stand for?!* This was in the days before Google was really a thing - and years later I finally looked it up. Because it's Air Force - *Gun Aircraft Unit* They use the same official classification label for the Avenger 20MM Cannon onboard the A-10. It, is a GAU-8. And so on with other guns adapted for aircraft use. Damn drove me nuts for years just trying to figure that one out on my own! 🤣

[@Colin8979]

Maybe GAU also manufacture the 30mm Rotatary Cannon for the AR10 Warthog?....

[@LRRPFco52]

I was at Bragg from 1999-2003. We still had broke-down HMMWVs laden with all the go-to-war gear (painted over) in ULACC in 2nd Brigade. I do remember seeing some of the new up-armor HMMWVs show up in 2002. Not sure if our D Co got any of them, as I was in 2 different rifle companies in 325. GAU-8 is 30mm 7-barrel rotary cannon, not 20mm. That's the M61 Vulcan-common to all the teen fighters.

[@alexisbierquedebirkadefauv1744]

Doesn't the A-10 use a 30mm? And the Gau-8 is a 30mm?

[@wallaroo1295]

@@LRRPFco52 Yep, I stand corrected - the GAU-8 is in 30mm, not 20. Thank you for that. When I left Bragg in '99 the MPs had just gotten M4s, we didn't even get adapted M203s to start, the armorer's just slung the M16-A2 length 203 and left the upper handguard of the M4 - it looked goofy as hell, but worked. Later, I think they introduced a specific M4 fitted 203, but I was already out. When I went to work at Fort Greely Alaska with the DA Civilian Police a few years later, we still used A2s, understandably. But, we were probably one of the few police departments at the time, to have 249s! 😆 What a weird experience that was... In the first few years after 9/11, we *were* the defensive unit for Greely - like quasi MPs. The active units were deployed, heavy. When we would get a threat against Greely, it was us that loaded up. It didn't seem weird at the time, most of us had been MPs anyway. But almost 20 years later... Ehh, I don't think that really wasn't our role. But, such was the need at the time.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@wallaroo1295 We still had the standard M203 on our M4s with the KAC RAS upper 3 rail handguard. SOCOM had the short barrel 203 as part of the SOPMOD Block 1 package. We got M4s and M240s in 1997 at Fort Lewis in 25th ID.

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

Wow, brings back fond memories Larry! I was issued a XM177 back in the 1970s!

[@backseatswitchyy]

I love those classic rifles!

[@fitlobster]

Love that his production crew finally ditched the fake noises in the slowmo clips.

[@stephenhensley7004]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane on this one Larry. This was the weapon issued to us when we had Security Alert Team duty on the flight line or alert area. Made it much easier to get in and out of our truck......As a young Air Force Security Policeman in 1979 or so.

[@gregorytaylor8031]

Our K-9 units carried them in their CJ-7

[@lioncelica5170]

@@gregorytaylor8031 Are you certain they were CJ-7's? I don't think there ever was a military version of the CJ-7. Perhaps they are like the CUCV's and are literally unmodified off-the-shelf civilian vehicles for military use

[@morpheophantasm8332]

Went through 3284th sp sch Sq in 78 ..

[@terrysaunders2026]

@@lioncelica5170 The USAF purchased many off the shelf civilian vehicles for their various uses. CJ-5s, CJ-7s, Ford Broncos, etc. in my squadron in Thailand we had a 1965 International Scout. These were all pre CUCV days.

[@ar-15techtipsinunder5minut8]

I bought one of these Colt GAU's, had to send it back to US Ordnance to replace the barrel. US Ordnance really took care of me, fixed it same day and shipped back same day. Amazing gun, and an amazing gift Curtis Debord put in the box.

[@Caje-zf8md]

What was the matter with the original barrel?

[@ar-15techtipsinunder5minut8]

@@Caje-zf8md It had the wrong front sight post pinned on, "F" marked lol, no F marked FSBs in 1970, it was easier for them to simply replace the barrel with another they already had in inventory that had the correct non f FSB already pinned on.

[@ulisessalas6420]

Sick!!! I’m a big fan of the classic M4/M16 retro style. Hell yeah!

[@sableliger327]

I built my own XM-177E2 clone out of vintage Colt Sporter Carbine parts and it looks exactly like the original. Fun little carbine to shoot.

[@seanwhite304]

GAU-5 , 177E2 , and SFOD-D are my favorite Colt Retro Uppers.. Also I kinda figured Colt didn't make these retro rifles. If your a hard core colt guy you can tell that these weren't made by Colt. Either way they are classics

[@seanwhite304]

@Patrick Gibson Couple ways you can tell is by how certain parts are made . Also certain markings on rifle or carbine . Lastly if you've held a lot of Colts you can right off the jump. It just feels different. It's hard to explain . I have TDP Colt M16A2 and FNMI M16A2 Uppers . I can tell you which one is the Colt just by holding it .

[@seanwhite304]

@Patrick Gibson Yeah no way you can tell from the video.

[@williamhedrick7983]

Sean White. Don’t be so sure...

[@ТолянЖига]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH2cl6GMqd-SosU

[@ТолянЖига]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH2cl6GMqd-SosU

[@MJA5]

I was in AFSOC in the 90s and carried a similar carbine. Ours had A2 style solid buttstocks and a 10.5 in. Barrel. I believe ours were modified for aircrew carry.

[@timoanez4668]

I built a SBR in this form a few years back and l put my suppressor, is a dream to shoot.

[@Steve_643]

Larry’s a badass he can shoot with either hand no problem!!!

[@gl1363]

I carried a similar Colt during my army days in the 90s. Still quite accurate from 300 to 500m with iron sights.

[@johnnybagofdoughnuts4193]

Hands down my favorite version of the CAR15/M4. That slick side upper just looks so...slick

[@JonesingUSAF]

Used a GAU-5 in Africa in 2005! Loved that thing! It just ran!

[@decodeddiesel]

I love the simplicity of this. Heck, I love everything about this. I would SBR it though so I could remove the included flash hider and replace it with a non-pinned version or a can.

[@n.a.4292]

Always loved this version, and the original XM16E1.

[@TheOtherFagola]

Would love a Chris Bartocci collab for vintage AR/M16 videos.

[@saltyguerrilla]

I just bought this Colt NIB today. I’m in such a euphoric state at the moment. Here in Oregon we won’t be able to purchase any firearms for the foreseeable future. So I decided to look for my Holy Grail, and by God I found it. 😁

[@AlphaChimpEnergy]

When I was a new AF guy we had GAUs in our armory still in use as patrol carbines that was 2002.

[@M81_WOODLAND]

God bless to your family and yourself, Larry. You're a legend to the mil and civ community.

[@jamesdewer]

Love Vickers Tactical Videos. And presented by a man trained to bring you pain from another galaxy.

[@jimd1968]

I know someone who bought one in the early 90s from Eagle Arms, it has the forward assist and polymer butt. It also had a bayonet lug on it. I believe it is a A2 model CAR15.

[@56thSPSk970]

This took me back 51 yrs. Nov.21 1971 56th SPS K9

[@MPD526]

Security Police stationed at Kimpo AB, ROK 70/71. We had GAU 5's that we carried on base patrols and money escorts to Yongson Army Post. Did qualify with mine a couple of times.

[@jasonkeen3777]

love the double taps. so miss my ar15.

[@sum12see]

I just bought a XM177E clone made on a Nodak Spud lower its sweet!! Never been fired except maybe after head soacing the barrel??..Ive built three thru the years but always end up selling them for a profit!..But this one is a keeper for sure!

[@freedommonger4512]

also barrel on one i had but sold was made by sako 1/7,12"threaded off the rack, not a cut down. whole gun looked grey parkerized.

[@9mmARman]

As you very well know, Larry, I'm much more of a shooter than a collector (I'm the host of your MA classes!), so I don't have historically correct retro ARs. But my first AR was a Colt SP-1 Carbine. Slick sided, no forward assist, pencil barrel and 2 position aluminum collapsible buttstock. $$ got a little tight, so I ended up posting the carbine for sale a few years back. Someone contacted me wanting the lower for their own retro build, and for some insane reason, he offered me MORE for just the lower than I had the entire carbine listed for! At some point, maybe I'll get another replica slab side lower from NODAK, or some other manufacturer, and assemble the carbine somewhat "correct" again. I do love those pencil barrels. I remember back in 2001 when the PD finally got patrol rifles, they had Bushmasters with heavy barrels that didn't taper below the handguards. With limited experience with different ARs at the time, it made me appreciate how quick it was to swing that SP-1 Carbine of mine! See you in October.

[@VickersTacticalLAV]

Excellent!! See you then !

[@markshoaff3776]

Awesome, great to see the tribute to my childhood heroes!

[@dmac2899]

Came here from the “Why I’m Fat” video glad to see you doing good!

[@bluecollarboys6294]

If you’re new to LAV, He has a wealth of knowledge and the best gun instructional vids on YT. If you haven’t subscribed yet, do it now. A highlight of my day is jumping on YT and browsing to see if LAV has a new vid out.

[@Caje-zf8md]

Years ago when I was a ANG member, there was a SP that patrolled the base with a short M-16. He said he preferred the little gun because it was light and handy. Looking back now, I'm pretty sure it was a GAU.

[@Christolclear101]

Just from the description my dad gave me of the one he carried in Vietnam, this matches every description that he gave me about his primary weapon. Translation: I need it!

[@JosefCharoni]

The serious collector or retro people that find the Selector stops a huge deal are the same people that gonna freak because of the incorrect barrel length

[@WaterdogOnPC]

You cold always submit the ATF paperwork and get approved to chop the barrel at a later date. The selector stops aren't quite as easy.

[@thomasmittelman6785]

WaterdogOnPC cc a ah.

[@jeremy2255]

You can thank the communist politicians for the NFA B.S!

[@casillasscorer]

BIG CAM the US has never had a communist leader so no, you can’t blame communists.

[@bitfreakazoid]

@@casillasscorer He didn't say communist "leader", he said communist politicians; which there are.

[@ncsteeltoe]

What sort of accuracy could you expect from this setup? I really like this and the XM rifles as the ultimate K.I.S.S. carbine.

[@dunknG]

What A Sweet Looking Rig.

[@mwhitelaw8569]

Who needs a brass deflector!?!? Those little burns are like kisses from God himself.

[@luislongoria6621]

When Firing Inside Vehicles, like the Bradley Port Firing Weapon. If One Truly Needs an Ungodly Rain of Undirected Brass, then the Original 32ACP CZ Scorpion is The Way to Go

[@alexho9987]

just what I needed during qurantine.. a kickass vickers video

[@johnnguyen9538]

i'm vietnamese navy and we were equipped the M-18 (vietnamese xm-177e2 copy) before the Tavor Tar-21

[@jasonarringotn2501]

These are cool. I’m building a CAR-15 LVT style!

[@papimartin2855]

Now I own this gun...,so blessed.

[@kevin_1230]

That has always been favorite looking ar.

[@eatingelizabethsfrizbee]

Mr. Meadows spoke at our church in Athens, GA a few years back.

[@superkjell]

Comming next: GAU-6, GAU-7 and of course, what everyone is waiting for: Larry Vikers at the range with a GAU-8

[@danielwatters1203]

The 10mm GAU-6 and 25mm GAU-7 are "moon rocks" as Larry would say. I wonder if the museum at Eglin AFB has any of the prototypes of either one.

[@superkjell]

@@danielwatters1203 I'm fine with jumping straight to the GAU-8

[@Hibernicus1968]

I built a gun identical to this configuration on a Nodak Spud lower receiver, and got the exact same gun, sans markings, for a whole lot less than $2500, despite using original, not repro single heat shield hand guards and original aluminum collapsible stock I managed to find and purchase. In one respect mine is superior to this offering by Colt. The Colt has an 11.5 inch barrel with the faux moderator permanently attached. Mine has a 14 inch barrel and faux moderator is a "slipover" type, that allows that extra 2.5 inches of barrel to extend forward inside the flash hider. The external appearance is identical, but you get a little more velocity, and at least a little extra barrel length to make the carbine-length gas system work better.

[@jasoncarskadon6809]

I noticed that the bolt on that one had a forward assist notches on it. Did the original version of that rifle share the bolt with the xm177?

[@briansmithwins]

The USAF GAUs were kept going with whatever parts the armorers could get. The original probably would have had a smooth chromed BCG but those would have been swapped out as they wore out.

[@jasoncarskadon6809]

@@briansmithwins I never thought about that but that's very true. Thanks for the info.

[@josephwillis1581]

The name makes me think of the gaus rifle from Fallout.

[@petraondraskova5255]

No simply !!!!!!!!! ! !

[@ProbablyTooLoud]

Other than Colt treating the civilian market like a persona non gratis, the historic significance of the 1970 raid is very meaningful.

[@joseantoniolago5857]

Non grata, gratis=free, lol.

[@smashmode8175]

Exactly, why give a crap about your countrymen being armed when you have big daddy tax theft contracts to keep you fat and happy.

[@budstermcgreen6360]

Awesome looking rifle..love learning where things come from and why it was done. Thanks for everything you do LAV! ✌️

[@jack.hoshi.williams8973]

Nice Video Larry, in 1988 we had a group of miscreants at NAS Pensacola going by the moniker “Bravo Recon”, not for reals, but for fun chasing skirts and fighting other branches until townies got into it then we all united against the townies - mostly bruises and no stabs etc - good natured bar brawls...until Shore Patrol showed up.

[@jonboger2292]

For whatever reason, my first AR ( which is still in my safe) just had to a heavy barreled A2 upper. Great rifle, I was super excited and proud to own my first AR rifle. I then proceeded to hang every possible accessory I could fit onto it. " More is better" was my mentality. My rifle ended up weighing more than USS Iowa's anchor. Nowadays, I like my CAR-15 clone. I even mounted the Colt 4x scope on it. Far handier and far sexier than my beloved A2. Every time I hold it, I wonder to myself what it must have been like for my dad to be in Vietnam and the dangers, privations he endured, as well as the abuse he endured after coming home.

[@johnivanp]

I love that I learn something every time I come to your channel. Thanks for bringing us this interesting rifle.

[@Native_love]

Best slow mo video yet! Looking good Larry! You da man!!!

[@yantz8281]

That thing is beautiful.

[@dragonquestbarrios1092]

Beautiful GAU

[@AllinOne-yg3sp]

Hey Larry, if possible make a video on INSAS Indian rifle.

[@NK-rs2jp]

Anyone that gave this video a thumbs down should probably leave the planet.

[@__BERSERKER__]

Had an early 80s bushmaster one. Traded like an idiot. But now I have an Olympic arms delta carbine like Larry Loves.

[@freedommonger4512]

needs a chrome bolt and a flat delta ring, remove the front sling swivel, and add a sling made of 550 cord, luminescent white paint on the front post.

[@tierone4761]

Yes, I was thinking the D ring on the original ones was flat as well. Now I’m wondering if this has the old 1/9 twist barrel or the later 1/7 twist? Good Day to You!

[@bdh985]

That is awesome. I wonder if this rifle has a "low shelf" so one could install an echo trigger?

[@AmaniLindsey]

Larry went back old school on us shooting left handed!

[@mrz1703]

AWESOME cinematography 👍👍

[@emersonbolen784]

Love it. Glad you mentioned Dick Meadows as well!!

[@williamflowers9435]

I hope there’s gonna be more Vicker’s Guide books printed!!! Half of them are sold out.

[@grayman7208]

troy industries did this 2 years ago. good job on both.

[@luislongoria6621]

LRRP Life! Short Mags are Much Appreciated When You Have to Belly Crawl to Get In Position. Also, An Off Hand Grip Comes in Handy When You Have to Call The Fast Movers Danger Close

[@gavinr5576]

It could just be that gunshots obviously don't record perfectly with most recording devices, but this gun doesn't sound like it has that "bark" that a lot of your other videos have and maybe sounds a little "pop" like? I don't know if it just looks small in your hands because you've got proper man-sized mitts or if it's actually a little smaller in real dimensions than other similar weapons. In any case, thanks for your service and for another great video. Always a pleasure to watch.

[@spanuehspanueh7216]

Close but no cigar, the GAU-5 originally was slab-sides and had no fencing. Had an all original GAU minus the moderator issued back in the early 2000s. Side note, I’ve only seen Army guys pronounce it “gow” (Air Force it was G.A.U.).

[@terrysaunders2026]

@Spanueh Spanueh; Eighteen years in different TACPs. I never heard it called anything BUT “Gow-5.”

[@davidduafala3050]

I didn't realize that I needed one of those until right now. Wow.

[@ratagris21]

Right now, right now, but not later, later!

[@ratagris21]

Right now, right now, but not later, later!

[@metall1969]

There is a MidWest Industries GAU-5A on Gunbroker right now.

[@luburan1973]

Hope you could also do the Singapore manufactured M16 and the Philippines' licensed M16 A1 Elisco which also went to Iran-Contra scandal.

[@soviet_idiot]

I'm curious what an original moderator sound like.

[@grewellnic]

I was always taught it was to reduce the louder blast from the short barrel to try and sound more like the M16 to make enemy's think it was regular US troops, not SOF. Kinda a way to make them blend in.

[@Ascension.z]

That muzzle

[@mlgjake09]

Ace21 right lol pretty quiet

[@spookypunky]

Ha!

[@CzechoslovakGunStories]

this is exactly what suits ARs the best.. simple good old look.... :) some people tend to over-tune them while they only need a very little :)

[@ifyoudontfailyouarenoteven6210]

You don't tune your gun to make it shoot better, you do it to make it look cool ;)

[@CzechoslovakGunStories]

@@ifyoudontfailyouarenoteven6210 I got that... although I prefer to shoot mine than look at it :)

[@JadedGLORY2689]

I really need a GAU-5 setup in my kit.

[@GamesbyMarcWolff]

I miss the tinnitus they used to edit in at the end. Awesome video though, as usual. Thank you LAV

[@johnelliott7375]

Looking good Larry!

[@dcarroll175]

I would think they would be finished in the gray anodized like all of the M16 we have from the LESO program

[@PL-fg2du]

My Local dealer has been out for almost a year now.......I built my own (could not wait).... with an Adams Arms 14.5 Piston upper

[@werewally3156]

Im building one, i scored an old Colt upper, without the forward assist or case deflector, on GunBroker. Paid a frikkin premium. Anyway, the bayonette lug was cut off cuz the grenade launcher they had wouldnt fit otherwise, and they left off the lower fore-grip. It was a neat looking die cast thing, a precursor to the M203. Oh and the coating on the stock is "vinyle acetate", i get to use gloss black Rustoleum.

[@tierone4761]

Great review as alway, LAV. I may be having a senior moment, but I thought I remember reading that these new retro rifles/carbines would have a 1/7 barrel in them so they would handle the 62gr rounds properly. That would seem to make sense. Good Day Everyone!

[@angusmotorsports4715]

Too bad your Tigerstripe BDUs at the Cleaners Uncle Larry?

[@stefanmolnapor910]

Crap, I just realized I bought the M4 style handgaurds for the clone I'm building😲 glad I found out now, rather than when I put it together!

[@ThexSKUNK]

Great video. Love the history with this

[@spookypunky]

I likes it. Looks similar to the Black Hawk Down D-Boy's rifles. Pretty slick

[@mwnciboo]

Man Larry is looking well. Looks like he is at a good fighting weight now.

[@NJSimpson86]

Why bother to build an upper assembly without a forwards assist or brass deflector then stick a bolt in with the forwards assist grooves in it?

[@tacamo21]

Ease of manufacturing

[@Nikonshooter55]

Great repro but the auto sear pin is missing above the selector.

[@VickersTacticalLAV]

ATF would not allow that

[@Nikonshooter55]

Vickers Tactical Troy Industries has a simulated sear pin on theirs with a block in the lower that prevents an actual pin from being installed.

[@markknivila8383]

Great video, Larry!

[@JustSumGuy01]

I just did my clone of this except I stuck to a 14.5 instead of the XM177 muzzle device

[@cherrypoptart2001]

The colt ar-15 is the CAR-15 used by delta force during the late 80s-90s?

[@JustSumGuy01]

DS Arms makes CAR-15 style skinny handguards that are double heat shields

[@GolfRemoEchoGolf2]

Why didn't they do the shorter barrel and then the clone moderator ? I own a CAR clone upper it actually looks a little better anyways... still sharp ! I'll have to check them out !

[@VickersTacticalLAV]

It has to be 16” overall

[@househive707]

Mr Vickers, I love these videos. I was wondering how effective that low profile brass deflector was going to work for.... well, then you went left handed and it was answered. Great video as usual!

[@ethimself5064]

I have a question that for me is kinda tricky: In cold climates as in - 30 to - 40 F, just how safe is it for fire a rifle at those low temps? I was thinking for hunting but tactile also. I know the Military weapons are likely made for these extremes, or custom modified for Arctic use etc. Hunting rifles, I'm not so sure of. Thanks 👍as usual

[@Gigitygigity24]

Awesome video as always Larry. I love the old CAR-15 XM177 and GAU-5. Where can I pick one up? I didn't see it on U.S. Ordnance website. Much appreciated.

[@VickersTacticalLAV]

Email Colt or US Ordnance

[@henrymahoney7072]

I’d love to see some more Colt Canada videos from you

[@VickersTacticalLAV]

👍