In Depth Analysis of the Stoner 63

[@jameskent7669]

Eugene Stoner was modular before modular was cool, everybody thinks M-16 when talking about Stoner's designs, what gets over looked is his other designs. The man was a modern John Browning, thanks for the great video, I love watching these early iconic guns.

[@whatdothlife4660]

It's been 4 years and Stoner's ideas are being revisited lately in 2020. He was way ahead of his time.

[@bennieboi7114]

AR9s are for puss ez

[@scrooglemcdoogle]

"You keep that bad boy lubed. It has to be WET." Will do, Larry.

[@longjohn6187]

Whoever the fucktard it was that said to lightly oil a gun where metal is smashing and sliding hard against one another WAS A FUCKING IDIOT!!!

[@SvenTviking]

So useless in the desert then?

[@TrinidadJamesWoods]

I didn't know a Stoner 63 liked to get wet

[@SvenTviking]

Long John Generally, you use the least amount of lube you can get away with on a combat weapon. Dust, sand and oil mix to very well to cause jams. This is ok for special forces who are generally quickly in and out, back at base cleaning their weapons in a few hours. But for line troops on long patrols, this is a recipe for disaster. I don’t know if the Stoner could be re-engineered with different tolerances to need a lot less lube, or even if this was attempted.

[@deltacoman6950]

It puts the lotion on

[@matchesburn]

Honestly, another look should be given to the Stoner 63 concept and platform. Not because I don't think Eugene Stoner wasn't capable of doing it, but because we've made significant strides in materials science and engineering science in the last 50 years which Eugene Stoner couldn't take advantage of yet. With those developments... might be possible to actually tighten up the platform.

[@FirstStrikeSabre]

matchesburn you're not wrong.

[@WollongongWacko]

that's a very interesting concept

[@cristobaltorres3625]

matchesburn Absolutely right, man

[@Sam_Guevenne]

they should look at the negev lmg it sort of falls in the same lane

[@SvenTviking]

From what’s been said, the thing just has too many parts compared to any competing weapon and all for an ability to convert the weapon for different roles that simply wasn’t needed. Who, in the middle of combat, is going to dismantle their LMG, pull out a load of parts he’s been carrying in his pack, along with various other conversion parts, and then change his weapon to a CQB sub gun?

[@waynelevitt4847]

I had the privilege to train with the Stoner 63 starting at Leadership school and on through advance infantry training both at Fort Jackson, S.C. 1965 and early 1966. During this time our platoon had the Stoner 63, two other platoons had the M-16 and the M-14 E-2. The fourth platoon had indirect weapons. Our platoon participated in five phases with the Stoner starting as a carbine rifle and semi-automatic then as a rifle and full automatic, with 30 round banana clip. We did full automatic all the way through tripod and belt fed. I remember day and night ranges that seemed like forever. I loved the Stoner 63 and compared to the other weapons tested by our outfit this was a great weapon, more reliable than most other weapons I knew of and I was so surprised that the Stoner was not chosen for the Army but I believe only the Navy Seals, I understood that the most of the Stoner 63 were entirely destroyed in the end, what a shame. At the end of the tests we were told that wn had fired more rounds of 5.56 ammo that any other company at least as in a training unit. By the way there were no banks available so while the M-14 guys had blanks and flash suppressors we were instructed to yell bang bang bang, try doing that at the same rate of about 900 rounds a minute.real embarrassing especially while others are watching!

[@dski9360]

I was in M-3-6 and we tested the Stoner configurations in late '65 or early '66. I started with the carbine, then the top mag heavy barrel auto, then on to the side mounted box light mg. I loved it ! It fired so fast and hardly any kick, but the Marine Corps brass turned it down. I still have the clip on bi-pod and pouch, the light mg box and they also gave us a small Stoner tie clasp. I think we missed out !

[@whatfor5]

Cool history. I'm a little bummed we didn't get to see it stripped and toyed with, as my biggest curiosity is how it really works in the nitty gritty of it.

[@orpheusepiphanes2797]

Yeah a mechanical breakdown would have been cool

[@Hardcaslte]

Whatfor5 Yeah I was hoping they'd break one down, at least partially, to describe what was so complex about it.

[@orpheusepiphanes2797]

In retrospect you are correct sir

[@robertmaybeth3434]

+Whatfor5 you can read all about that in small arms of the world". The weapon was far too complex and finicky for just a little old battle rifle and offered no advantages to even the M16. The selling point for the "Stoner weapons system" was you could change stocks, barrels and sights etc. could make it into a belt fed squad automatic weapon. But it wasn't enough as they all had more parts then a cuckoo clock and as Mr Vickers points out, finicky with unusual things in the battlefield like dirt and water. Too complicated and too expensive while offering few advantages to existing weapons. The NATO nations were still stinging at being basically forced to change their calibers to US 7.62 in the early 1960's...then the US switches calibers yet again to 5.56! Understandably England, France, Italy and all the rest did not convert to 5.56 rifles until the late 1970's and 1980's - after their stocks of 7.62 rifles began wearing out. So Stoner found few buyers there. The only significant military element that ever used it were the US Navy Seals and even then, only the light machine gun variant. The Seals were prepared to keep the weapon spotless clean as they were super troops and elite, and they would clean their weapons before doing anything else including eat, sleep or dump. But the ordinary troop is not always like this, and the M16 was headache enough during the Vietnam era. The US Army, or at least some officers among the ordnance corps, certainly reliazed a SAW in 5.56 would be useful to the troops in Vietnam, but none of them were prepared to accept another clinker from Eugene Stoner. The Army would wait for its own SAW until FN perfected the M249, but that would not be adopted until 1983. so they showed little interest too. The Stoner system wound up as just another flawed, expensive, overly complex weapon system on the heaps of hundreds of other failed small arms.

[@JonnyBabyaka]

Whatfor5 ASsa

[@BurnerTactical]

Vickers, honestly wish these videos were longer (weird to say for KZbin) but the content is incredible and the analysis is enlightening.

[@MrMd5555]

I would much rather see 45 min videos from LAV than some of the other guys that do it that are "not so fancy" but not to name names

[@ChrisB.C.]

300 blAKout Agreed. A lot of the YT channels to which I subscribe make some very long videos, with content that frankly isn't something I want to watch for that length of time. However, the kind of material that LAV does, I would watch at length and make time to do so.

[@cognitivedisability9864]

@@ChrisB.C. mabye thats the thing then. LAV sacrifices depth for quality. while the others are vice versa

[@KarlShota]

That left side ejection on the 63A made my day. In the process of going from right-hand ejection from the original LMG-configured 63, we netted ourselves a LMG that is actually southpaw-friendly. If I ever win the chance of a lifetime to fire a 63A in LMG configuration, I'm gonna enjoy every moment of it. Can't wait to see what else you've got for us in the future, LAV.

[@nper2464]

Title says in depth analysis. No disassembly.

[@nper2464]

The rarity of the Stoner 63 is not the point. The very obvious misleading title is. As usual Larry focuses too much on camerawork and leaves the "nitty gritty" out. The carbine variant is surprisingly not a Robinson Armament M96. The most noticeable difference is that the Robinson Armament M96 has a protruding magwell for STANAG magazines while the Stoner 63 doesn't.

[@hectortorres1133]

nper246 and 5

[@nper2464]

Hector Torres 5?

[@jeremydryden7362]

+nper246 maybe he is talking about an AK 5? I'm curious to

[@shootinbruin3614]

nper246 in depth about its use perhaps? In any case, if you want exhaustive disassembly and mechanics, there is only one man for the job: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHSxqGyQZ7ZmipI

[@markcoffman9522]

The bummer is that Robert McNamarra got invited to a Colt picnic, and not a Cadillac Gage picnic. He was the reason we got stuck with the M16.

[@poppacross79]

Not so fast, it wasn't McNamarra that got sold on the M16 it was Curtis Le May. Also note the 63 is not soldier proof. The weapon requires lots of oil. The M16 does not, and it cheaper to manufacture.

[@zacharytomes5202]

Mark Patterson The M16 requires heavy amounts of care. Its beyond me how people got the idea the platform didnt need to be taken care of or cleaned.

[@poppacross79]

Not only did it require care, the pencil pushers that worked for that moron McNamara cheap dicked the project when they refused to chrome the chambers. Or issue cleaning kits. This cost the lives of many troopers until some one got their heads out of their asses.

[@nemo5335]

Good thing, too, because this rifle makes even the worst M16 look like an AK by comparison. These weapons are hideously complex and because of that horrendously unreliable. They're totally unsuited for anything beyond specialist work, which would probably be why no one ever adopted them for it.

[@samuelparker9882]

Mark Coffman The 16... especially any after the 16- A1.... The 16-A2's up til now are EXCELLENT WEAPON SYSTEMS. So much so that the Soviets designed the AK-74 in .22 caliber to match the Colts advantages. Fact.

[@joesgotya9930]

An awesome tribute to the Vietnam era frogmen. I remember some the first pics of SEAL Teams 1 & 2 in nam when i was a kid,,, many posing with the Stoner platforms decked out in green and black. lol Every boys wet dream really. Another amazing video LAV. You have spoiled us all imo! Thank you for doing what you do.

[@USMarineRifleman0311]

Stoner Armalites were a favorite of the IRA too.

[@jeffreyport1099]

The last configuration I used on a mission was the drum mag, that was about 1983. My load was 9 drums going out, took a good while to reload all those empty drums after I got back. lol

[@chrischiampo8106]

Eugene Stoner was a Genius and Pioneer 😎🇺🇸

[@Itsbigpitch]

🎶 Eugene Stoner, Eugene Stoner, Eugene Stoner

[@docback63]

Chris Chiampo: Absolutely!!

[@mattaecus]

Eugene Stoner, Mikhail Kalashnikov, John Moses Browning, Gaston Glock

[@ElectricBluex91]

An OG gun developer.

[@darrenspohn8376]

If he was such a genius, why was it nessesary to replace his m16 so soon after adoption ?

[@douglasturner6153]

In Vietnam the Seals on reconnaissance didn't want to get into any protracted fights. They came up with a technique to suppress enemies and break contact fast. They had their ready belts and mags on Stoners and carbines loaded with mostly tracer rounds. They'd all open up at once in the enemy direction and you can imagine the effect of all that lit up firepower coming at you. Then they'd slip away.

[@bunk95]

If you give a scout a rifle…

[@bunk95]

You might also enjoy compact, belt fed small arms in, whats marketed as, a bullpup configuration. ‘Wax Canvas (no steel boxes)’

[@mutationdesign]

Wow some of those camera shots were just magnificent. Sweet video too; the stoner 63 rocks. I really wish that someone would bring them back.

[@MrMd5555]

Larry and his crew have THE best high speed camera angles ever. nice work as usual

[@bte320]

You're the man, Mr. Vickers! It's so cool you get to do this stuff.

[@Niles1507]

Thanks for doing this project. I'm quite enamored with this one. Well Done Mr. Vickers.

[@MonteGould]

Great video, never handled one of these or seen one in person. If possible you should interview US Navy retired CMC Herschel Davis, he carried a 63A in Vietnam for several tours and many combat operations. I think he's talking about Kirby in the video, he was an iconic legendary Team guy. Herschel would be awesome to have in one of your videos.

[@ShockinglyRandom94]

Another highly adaptable platform, at least to my knowledge, is the Steyr AUG. While later variants have generally stuck to one layout (i.e. we haven't seen a whole lot of development of the A3 version), the original and most common version of the gun (AUG A1) can change out barrel assemblies on the fly, to accommodate various combat distances/roles, and could be [relatively] easily converted to a 9x19mm submachine gun. I think many people overlook this as the different "models," much like the MP5 platform, are often given separate designations (AUG A1, AUG HBAR, AUG Para, etc.), either by the manufacturers or the countries that adopt them, while in most cases you could technically just purchase one version of the gun and several different parts kits in order adjust the weapon to your needs for/during a given mission. Now, while there are some distinct variants (such as the AUG LMG and AUG M203) that are intended for relatively distinct purposes, in the case of the AUG A1, all you really need is the base weapon, plus a short barrel assembly, a long barrel assembly, and you effectively have a weapon capable of functioning as an assault rifle, a PDW, a support weapon, and a marksman's rifle. Throw in a right-left handed configurable bolt and bayonet-compatibility (not that that's a huge selling point, nowadays) and I'd say that's a pretty adaptable platform. Of course, other weapon systems can accomplish those same roles - this one just allows you to fine-tune it a bit more in a simpler fashion.

[@matthewprior3762]

I really admire how articulate Larry Vickers is.

[@lewispollock7326]

Looks like you've lost a shit ton of weight so well done dude I'm happy for you and keep it up

[@jdixon126]

I grew up in Warren, MI where the majority of the 63's were produced. Used to drive by there all the time, wanting to go in and see if there was anything on display. The 63 was well out of production by the time I was driving in the early 90's. Just fascinated that such a weapon was manufactured in the home town.... Wish I had just stopped in there to see.. Not sure if the place is still there now.....

[@TrinidadJamesWoods]

Eugene Stoner was a badass. he's up there with Browning for sure.

[@enigma4430]

Larry, your production value is dead on top notch quality. Well done.

[@EdD-ym6le]

that thing sucking bullets from the bottom was cool @ 9:05. Thanks

[@akfanfortyseven8375]

We need to see it field stripped, extensive overview of it's operations plus what makes this belt fed so much more complex.

[@squashhead1374]

Hickock45 would brake that puppy down.

[@bobthompson4319]

an old vietnam vet friend of mine was issued the xm63a and was issued a mk-18gl. he said he liked them but would carry around an ak. and keep his m-16 in his foot locker. he was a seabee. and was in Nam in 67 and 68 setting up firebases.

[@markcoffman9522]

The complexity of the Stoner system? The end user was never intended to be the person changing the configuration, the armorer was. The Marine Corps gave the 63 a very favorable review, They were the ones who requested a system based weapon. C'mon who wouldn't want the ability to switch from rifle, to carbine, to squad auto, to co-axial mg with commonality of parts and ammo. For goodness' sake the grunts in Nam were stuck carrying both 556 and 762 cal weapons. It wasn't til the M249 was adopted that the Army finally pulled it's head out of it's backside and gave the troops a 556 lmg.

Mark Coffman Well, all those trees and stumps in 'Nam proved too thick for the 5.56, but the 7.62 from the pig could penetrate them, so what you think a logistics bad choice is also a tactical good choice.

[@markcoffman9522]

Yeah the 60 was good for killin' the jungle, but for just general suppression a 22lr would do. The MG is to keep the bad guy's head down while the rifleman takes 'em out. 'Course those tactics weren't developed 'til after 'Nam. And the penetration of the 7.62 is one of the reasons we use GPMGs.

[@Andy47357]

Mark Coffman Can't be as bad as WWII because the US armed forces had 12+ standard rifles, shotguns, SMGs, MGs, VMHMGs, VMLMGs, VMMMG(VM3G), and pistols almost all using different ammo and mags. Also there was more foliage in Vietnam and every man who ever wrote a report about the Pig said it was the best damn GPMG they had because of its killing power

[@markcoffman9522]

Having 12 different weapons was what the Marines Corps was trying to get away from. The M14 and M60 were meant to pair up, then McNamarra forced the M16 down the Army's throat. Unfortunately for the Marines, what the Army gets, they get. Some times second hand. If McNamarra really wanted to standardize, like he did with millspec dress shoes, he would have listened to the Corps, and adopted the Stoner. During the actual fighting in "Nam we used a countless variety of weapons from the M16, M60, M2, the Thompson, the grease gun, the Carl Gustav 9mm, the S&W 9mm sub-gun, Winchester and Remington bolt action, various shotguns, and of course the AK47. The special ops types used whatever they wanted to. It still made for a logistic mess, not to mention the lack of commanality for the average grunt, in ammo and parts. The Stoner would have helped alleviate the problem. Plus its a gas piston system, and was more reliable than the M16 as first introduced. The M16 originally was designed as a survival rifle for pilots, not am infantry weapon. The Stoner was designed from to outset to be a grunt's weapon. Eugene Stoner was a Marine so then understood the needs of a Marine, and designed the system from that perrspective.

[@Andy47357]

Mark Coffman yes the stoner was slightly better if you kept it cleaner than a M16 needed to be and was more finicky with powder similar to the original M16 didn't like "McNamorron" ideas of using ball powder and blew cases and raised the cyclic rate over 900 which is 300 rpm more than it usually does. The Stoner was the gun that failed under dirt test which was sad. My Dad tested one at the Aberdeen Testing grounds (1960's) and his last test was in 1985 with the Dover Devil Machinegun. he has said that it was great gun but too much like a woman its a needy bitch when you want her. =)

[@dutchman2205]

And made in Holland to. Was supposed to replace the FAL in 1970. Holland made even a special 5,56 mm round with a 60 grain bullet with steel penetrator where later the NATO cartridge is designed of. Yeah, that where the days my country made some cool designes.

[@bojanmilankovic]

Rogier Vis I never knew that! And, you guys were responsible for the bulk of AR-10 production, too!

[@hansstrouf]

Finally the truth

[@b33lze6u6]

its gotta be WET

[@kitchenjail3546]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@blkt6]

Great high quality video with great info. Thanks Larry!

[@jimhambleton6854]

Interesting. I'd heard of them back in the day, but never saw one. All we had were M16A1s.

[@ErikKaiserprotongeek]

Need more time of you guys shooting these guns. A tear down of these weapons to see the internals would have been great.

[@cincin75ytb]

Stoner 63A, my favorite MG in an old game, global operation. :)

[@DriveByShouting]

Ian McCollums video(Forgotten Weapons)of him shooting it with a bipod makes it look like ZERO recoil. It is really quite unbelievable. Eugene Stoner was a GENIUS. The AR-10, AR-15, Stoner 63 and the supremely underrated Armalite AR-180. Among other of his designs that never made it from paper to hand. Could be a better M249? (And i carried and loved the M249) I used in Afghanistan. My rig had a fixed stock, USMC M16A4 ACOG calibrated for the 20" Barrel which ALWAYS used. Velocity is king. The 20" Barrel did explosive tissue damage even with the M855. The M193 would be preferred. I always carried two spare barrels and 4 extra Box mags. Proud to say we did a lot of damage against the Cavemen I engaged over there. They are not fans of the SAW. The Stoner 63 should be brought back, It's an outstanding weapon. THANK YOU EUGENE STONER.

[@SavageShooter93]

Eugene Stoner was criminally underutilized as a weapons designer, for every 10 amazing weapons and concepts he invented 1 got put to use.

[@irishmarine3]

The Carbine variation looks really badass

[@MopSpadowski]

Bren style configuration is my favorite. Got a RA M96 Bren and it's great.

[@kacasio1]

Thanks for the video, we were waiting for this!

[@razorramon6754]

Great video. Love the history lesson on the Stoner 63.

[@leloodallasmultipass]

I understand EXACTLY where these guys are coming from: not only have I literally worn out my COD game discs from serious tactical engagement, but I have played with more LEGO than literally ANYONE I've ever met.

[@KnifeCursed]

Is the KAC LMG a relative to this Stoner 63? That's another gun I'd love to see you do a video on.

[@newdefsys]

Derek Cb Yes, the KAC LMG is derived from the Stoner 63, along with the ARES Stoner 86 LMG.

[@KnifeCursed]

newdefsys Thanks.

[@jameskent7669]

+Derek Cb Stoner helped design that too, awesome gun.

[@jjkroll32]

Would be absolutely awesome to get a peek inside of what Knight's Armament is doing with the Stoner LMG, as well as their SR series of rifles and carbines.

[@17deadCLOWNS]

This is awesome. Love the channel, keep up the good work!

[@scottleft3672]

saw this gun in the 80's up close.....love at first sight.

[@shanebowie5704]

Loved it, thank you so much. An amazing weapon system.

[@madmallard1509]

Awesome video Larry. Please do a video on the CZ 75 series of handguns since a bunch of different military forces around the world has them or is adopting them. Thx.

[@jljr23]

Awesome vid LAV!

[@jeffreyport1099]

I used these weapons too, they are great. I thought they were totally out of the system also, but about 2 years ago, a US Marine showed me photos of them carrying one in Afghanistan. When he told me that I didn't believe it, but I could see it in the photo he showed me.

[@elijahbrooks8589]

Thanks I've wondered why this didn't become the Army platform vs M16/M4 and M249. Knowing the need for maintenance I can think of several soldiers that would be carrying paper weights.

[@kristinarain9098]

wouldve been nice to see this develope and refine on its own instead of adapting a weapon system from someone else like the 249. i read a lot about how the Stoner 63 was a weapon of choice for seals in vietnam and its only drawback was its difficulty maintaining reliability in a dense jungle or swampy environment. teething problems likt can be worked out over time just as with other successful weapons systems of that era. great video btw ♡

[@christopherberry4452]

Awesome video, love the 63

[@andrewvida3829]

My stepfather (RIP) had a complete 63A set. I played with them when I was 12. :) Never got to shoot them, though. :(

[@Seth9809]

The LMG configuration is light for a belt-fed weapon, but the AR is ten pounds. M14s are less then 9.5, ten pounds is close to where G3s, Thompsons, and AK Type IIs are.

[@Bajaos]

0:16 THIS IS MADDNESSSS !!!

[@Savage-Henry]

I always thought this gun looked super cool in the carbine format. But the belt fed looks awesome too

[@bunk95]

Come over. It looks like someone cut down and reconfigured a m240b. (Little over 20”?)

[@texicano_fxdls3411]

Sweet video, I wish I could get some time behind that weapons system

[@johnenglish8338]

Dear Santa You know what I want for Christmas P.s. I've been a very bad boy

[@joegagnon2268]

John English lube is your wish

[@dl6996]

Any navy guys notice that Monty is wearing a parka liner for the NWU parka? Uniform items for the win

[@on2wheels378]

Someone commented on how we were "stuck" with the M16... I'm glad we were and continue to use the M16 platform.. Accurate, reliable (late models we now have) and everyone else is trying to build a better mousetrap. Nothing compares to the M16 platform..

[@willm687]

Pendon Ramos i find it dumb the Australian Defence Force still use the Browning Hi-power and there no changes its just the MKiii

[@thewiezman]

Will M what pistol does a better job than the hi power? It doensnt make sense to spend money switching a weapon for another that's barely more effective. Especially a insignificant peiece of equipment like a side arm

[@willm687]

thewiezman the browning hi power isn't insignificant for security forces and or generally infantry also they could just update the browning hi power

[@on2wheels378]

I enlisted in 1985 in the US Army 11B. I retired in 2009 11Z, All those years in the Army and National Guard, I have had maybe ten M16 rifles (issued from the M16A1 to A2 then M4). I myself, maybe, in all those years,deploying in combat (13 deployments. 1989 was my first time), I maybe had 30 malfunctions (keep in mind, these rifles had to be issued and zeroed before every deployment so I didn't get the same rifle all the time and they were passed around like condoms in Camp Eagle in S. Korea DMZ). Haha. I never experienced a 'catastrophic' malfunction. It's a great rifle and recently, the German Army, wanted to switch to the Colt M4 because they didn't find their HK36 reliable in all their deployments overseas. British, Aus, NZ(SAS), Royal Marines SBS all use M4s. Some have gone to the HK416 but the M4 is still the ruler of the roost for 52 years. Now, the Russian Alpha's have a awesome AK74, but that's another story.

[@on2wheels378]

A pistol isn't insignificant. In a gunfight, it's always good to have more than one firearm. A pistol is good for clearing rooms or small crawl spaces etc.

[@redmule02]

What year did this guy go in? He never used the saw till later on when the modified came into play? That's weird that he said that it wasn't introduced when he went in. Being the saw came out in the early mid eighties. Ican remember seeing the videos my father who was a airborne ranger "1sgt" would bring home and show us...

[@joshkendall8143]

Yay have been waiting for this video. :D

[@EricKPoorManPrepper]

We need the modern industry to bring these back,...#RepealtheNFA or make it simpler n quicker

[@deviatioNNN]

I would love to see a video about the Canadian C8 Carbine

[@citizenVader]

So how interchangeable is the system? First time I read about the stoner system I was right on board. It just makes sense to make a good platform you could personalize like no other.

[@levylacambra9510]

Please include the tech specs like effective range in your next video. Thanks

[@Treblaine]

"Interfaced" with guys? Oh Vickers, I can't stay mad at you, that was the most operator BS thing I've heard. Didn't you mean "talked with"?

[@gsgaidan10]

That's because he is a legitimate operator. He was Delta Force.

[@Treblaine]

I Ren Operatives gonna operate.

[@Lofi.z34]

Graphical User Interfaced with some operating operators.

[@boogaloofever]

"weapon system" is a far more cringeworthy expression, considering there's no other equipment it's going to "interface" with...

[@alekxu]

If you look at the bigger picture, it is a weapon system.

[@mitchschutter4302]

I find it interesting that the 63 is talked about like, "Oh it's such an amazing weapon system, only downside is it needs to be kept lubricated." AR-15, "It has to be lubricated to be reliable, it's not a very good design." Not that Larry has both opinions at the same time, but I've seen this with other weapons too, the AR seems to be one of the only weapons to actually catch a lot of flak when it comes to reliability and lubrication, which is quite overblown in the first place.

[@NamelessHobo]

Mitch Schutter Not to mention "there's nothing close to being this modular except for the SCAR." The AR family has been a rifle, a mag fed LMG, several different belt fed LMGs, carbines, submachine guns, precision rifles, chambered for dozens of calibers, and more. I usually like LAV's videos, and I don't know what was going on with this one, but this one just falls flat.

[@mitchschutter4302]

NamelessHobo I thought the same thing when he said that about molecularity. "Uhm, what now?"

[@cooliobob1274]

Forgotten Weapons needs to feature this in a video.

[@lcplcalifornia89]

"so far over my head?" I am "average" Marine, and i fully comprehended every aspect of this video and this weapon system..

[@reonthornton685]

Yeah.... I know this is an old comment, but there are a LOT of idiots in any branch that'll probably manage to wreck the gun or just forget to maintain it and jam it all to heck.

[@gaydubbbz8148]

Forgot to say it pairs fantasticlly with an auto cz75, not recomanded with an akimbo one tho, the python's a much better dual weild

[@MrRuffy39]

hey Vickers. when you were in Russia, did you get the chance to shot AK12?

[@songgut]

How come the other video featuring Chief LeClair running some sniper drills with an Mk12 (I think) disappeared?

[@mahilo3550]

Why didn't we take any of them apart or convert one from AR to LMG or any other possible conversion? Kinda thought that's what we were doing in this video... :(

[@tiiiimmmmmm]

I would love to see how a 63 would be converted into each of its platforms, carbine to lmg and so forth.

[@jameshaught641]

You weren't wrong when you said this was a gun for gun guys. The possibilities are mesmerizing.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Thanks for the info

[@leadhead7338]

Ive never seen a machine gun, that has very little recoil like this gun does, what an AMAZING piece of engineering, MR. Stoner your the man sir! AMERICA STRONG STAY FREE LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC

[@jptravers]

SOMEONE needs to start cloning these in semi-auto with full features & configurations

[@toade1583]

They did, the M96.

[@jenssoderman4093]

cool video, im waiting for a Ultimax review. and also steyr aug. best regards Jens

[@ZachLaRue]

I always thought these were really cool looking.

[@billx4266]

Great weapon. I use it in CoD Zombie breakout

[@Tobes-88]

Love your KZbin channel Larry. Thank you for your service and continue the great work! I love your visits to Russia. Any plans to visit Chinese arms factories?

[@williamED15]

Any chance we can see Larry do a video with the KAC Stoner 96?

[@hikari2hikari2]

As far as I knew, there were only 2400 63, 850 63A and about 100 Mk23(Carbin mode) have been made before they shut down the prodection line in 1971. Almost all got disposal since US military adpot M249 in 1983. There are only 25 Stoner 63 and 35 63A available in US today.

[@l-nolazck-rn24]

I always wanted a 63, hearing this makes me realize I'll probably never get to afford it

[@tongo382]

Awesome!

[@Seancusmc]

I didnt finish, Did the little guy on the right make it out okay? or was he eaten by the big guy?

[@wiih8ubob]

Whoever shot this is great

[@fokonoyt8061]

you guys are all left handed?

[@AJohnson0325]

It looks like it has a lot of stamped parts which is probably why it is so light.

[@divecolosio4988]

Sir, what's your thoughts on the LAMG program?

[@raphaelhanna8345]

i personally wish some company would create a modern version of the stoner 63 that was improved to modern weapon standards

[@jonathanwassok3764]

Pure awesomeness

[@CivilAffairsSgt]

My dream weapon. I heard, IIC, or maybe it was a in a "Soldier of Fortune" magazine article, way back in the day, that the USN had touched/destroyed over 5000 of these, and there are very few even left. Can anyone confirm or deny, and how many are actually left. I don't even remember seeing any in either 1st or 20th SFGA arms rooms...any units in the US Army SOF have one/some in there inventory if the USN doesn't?

[@VickersTacticalLAV]

Yes the Navy destroyed most of them - less than 2 dozen in private hands I believe

[@CivilAffairsSgt]

Sad to hear. Thank you for the fast reply.

[@paulfabrique5055]

I am always curious on the barrel change on belt fed weapons...given it was a major design short coming on the early M60...I think a quick barrel change is a challenging design task given the need to maintain head space, barrel/ trunnion mate etc. Of course I could just be talking shite after a few beers oh fuck it I am off.

[@hectortorres1133]

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[@FlyingWildAZ]

Where was the "in depth analysis?" I'm surprised users were happy with the smaller 5.56mm, that was the big beef with the SAW. That M60ish feed tray fooled me into thinking it threw 7.62 cannon balls downrange.

[@af8915]

Perfect weapon for infantry !!

[@fastrccarz]

they might as well of just called it the stoner 420

[@victorcajilog5355]

Yes @Chris Chiampo Eugene stoner was indeed a genius and pioneer. Its just a sad thought that this weapon was not accepted by US military as primary weapon for Americas' intervention in Vietnam primarily because of political issues intervening at the time wherein most officials comes from Army Department. I can't help but wonder how it could have helped US won Vietnam with the use of this gun. Correct me if i am wrong, but this gun could have matched the package that AK47 offer both as an assault rifle and as a light machine gun.

[@adrianfranco1028]

Love this gun!!