The Colt Commando (also known with designations XM177 or GAU-5) is an American 5.56ร45mm NATO assault rifle. It is essentially the shorter variant of the M16A1. Entered service in 1966, the weapon saw first use during the Vietnam War.
The term CAR-15 originally refers to any Colt-marketed AR-15, but it became associated with this military variant.