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The next Carbine in the USAF series would have been the GAU-5P. While a number of references identify this USAF designation, they do not clearly identify if it was based on a stock Colt Model, if it was a USAF Rebuild, or if it was possibly both. One explanation would make the GAU-5P a Colt Model 653. Another explanation would make the GAU-5P the first of the USAF Rebuilds which would have replaced the barrels on the GAU-5A and the GAU-5A/A with a 14.5" barrel.
designation.
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The final Carbine in the USAF series would have been the GUU-5P. These carbines are all some form of a USAF rebuild. In these rebuilds the barrels on a GAU-5A, GAU-5AA, or a USAF M16 were replaced with a 14.5" barrel. ________________________________________________________________________________________
The USAF Carbines pictured below do not fit "neatly" into any of the USAF Designations, and are a complete mix-match of parts. The "official" designation that we have given them is "USAF Mix-Master Franken-Carbines". There is a very good chance that these could actually be designated as GUU-5P. This just goes to show that the USAF were masters of rebuilding and recycling! ________________________________________________________________________________________
Below are some more "Historical" photos of the USAF Carbines in the field. |
| This "USAF Carbine Guide" will provide additional information and photos of the various carbine models used by the US Air Force |
RETRO BLACK RIFLE - USAF CARBINE GUIDE
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| .223 Cal / 5.56mm MILITARY CARBINE GUIDE |
USAF Carbines – Not So Easy To Figure Out!
which, and the USAF had a program of "Rebuilding" their carbines so it can be pretty challenging to figure out just exactly what is what.
Colt Model 629's would have been donated/transferred from US Army inventory to USAF inventory following Vietnam. These Carbines have been identified as being designated either GAU-5A/B or GAU-5/B, however the exact designation is not clear. The majority of references do refer to them as GAU-5A/B.
that the GAU-5A/A was based on. So far the majority of references do refer to the Colt Model 649 as being the GAU-5A/A. Efforts are still underway to determine exactly which model the GAU-5A/A was based on.
also not 100% clear what the exact configurations were for either model. The data posted on the chart currently has the most support, but it is not 100% verified or agreed upon by all.
The first USAF Carbine was the GAU-5A which was based on the Colt Model 610. _______________________________________________________________________
The next USAF Carbine was the GAU-5A/A which was based on either the Colt Model 630 or 649.
Blank Firing Adapter on the 4.5” Moderator) the in the early 1980’s the USAF removed the 4.5” Moderators on the GAU-5A/A’s which were still in service and replaced them with A1 Flash-Hiders. |
| 1980 - MSGT Wayne Fisk, Clark Air Base, Luzon Phillippines Carbine appears to be a Colt Model 653, possibly a GAU-5P |
| 1981 - MSGT Bob Morton, Exercise Busy Prairie II Biggs Army Air Field, El Paso, TX Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 |
| 1981 - CCT with 1st Special Operations Wing Hurlburt Field, FL Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 |
| 1981 - CCT with 1st Special Operations Wing Hurlburt Field, FL Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649, 4.5" Moderator has been replaced with an A1 Birdcage |
| 1982 - TSGT Bob Wilkinson instructs COMBAT CONTROL School students Pope Air Force Base, NC Carbines are a mix a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 (Moderators replaced), and what appears to be GAU-5P - Colt Model 653 |
| 1982 - COMBAT Control Student Pope Air Force Base, NC Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 (Moderator replaced) |
| 1983 - Airman 1st Class Dan Hanneken, Tactical Air Control Specialist attached to the 82nd Airborne Division Fort Bragg, NC Carbines appears to be GAU-5P - Colt Model 653 |
| 1983 - 375th Security Police Squadron, Exercise Creek Warrior / Reforger 1983 Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 (Moderator replaced) |
| 1988 - Airman 1st Class Michael A. Warner, Combat Controller, 1722nd Combat Control Squadron Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 |
| 1988 - SSGT David Libbey, Instructor Combat Control Team School, Lackland Air Force Base, TX Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 (Moderator replaced) |
| 1988 - Airman 1st Class Dale LaFluer, 1723rd Combat Control Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL Carbine appears to be a GAU-5/A - Colt Model 610 with the 4.5" Moderator replaced with an A1 Birdcage |
| 1985 - Airman First Class Peter Warner, 3902nd Air Base Wing, Security Police Squadron Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 |
| 1990 - 1720th Special Tactics Group Carbine appears to be a GAU-5P, a USAF Carbine or M16 rebuilt with a 14.5" barrel |
| 1989 - Captain Sofronio Propios, 15th Security Police Squadron, Exercise Foal Eagle 89 Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 (Moderator replaced) |
| 1990 - SMSGT Robert Boyle, Director of Operations, 1723rd Combat Control Sqd Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 |
| 1991 - Airman John Rogers, Combat Control Student Pope Air Force Base, NC Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649 (Moderator replaced) |
| 1992 - Security Police, Operation Desert Shield / Storm Carbines on the left are GAU-5/A - Colt Model 609 (over 20 yrs old) Carbines on the right are GAU-5P - a USAF Carbine or M16 rebuilt with a 14.5" barrel |
| 1992 - CCT Dan Schilling Carbine is mostly likely a Colt Model 653, possible GAU-5/P |
| 1996 - 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV Carbine is a GAU-5A/A - Colt Model 649, note 4.5" Moderator has been replaced, and an improvised vertical foregrip has been installed |
| 1998 - Staff Sergeant James W. Law, 24th Security Forces Squadron, Panama Carbine is a GUU-5P |
| 2001 - 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Counter-Terrorism Training Carbine is most likely a GAU-5P - USAF M16 or Carbine rebuilt with a 14.5" barrel |
| Unknown Details Carbine is most likely a GUU-5P |
| 2000 - TACP Carbine is a GUU-5P |
| Unknow Details Carbine is most likely a GUU-5P |
| A huge thanks to C. Hazell and AR15.COM Member Ch139 for sharing their photos and information. |