Nice story on the Son Tay GAU-5

AR-15 » AR-15 / M-16 Retro Forum

AR Sponsor:

Site Notices

TNVC Partners With Envision Technology - MARS Rangefinder Family, MARS-Lc!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Nice story on the Son Tay GAU-5

Posted: 11/19/2015 1:40:06 PM EDT

SOF Carbines: Comparing The Son Tay GAU-5A/A And The M4A1 CQBR (Part I)

by

Dr. Earl W. Burress, Jr. (Ph.D.)

(Major, USAF, Retired)

Historical Context of the Son Tay Raid

History was made on the night of November 21, 1970, as a task force
of 15 American aircraft and helicopters (supported by an additional 101
warplanes in various roles) inserted a 56 person US Army assault team
into the Son Tay Prisoner of War (POW) Camp located 23 miles west of the
North Vietnamese capitol of Hanoi. The objective of the mission,
officially referred to as Operation IVORY COAST, was to repatriate 65
American prisoners being held under brutal conditions by the Democratic
Republic of North Vietnam. The raid was executed successfully, although
the assault team failed to repatriate any allied POWs because the
American prisoners had been relocated approximately four months earlier
due to flooding within the camp. The entire ground operation, from
insertion to extraction, was conducted in less than 29 minutes. During
mission execution, the team neutralized approximately 40 enemy
combatants without the loss of a single American serviceman’s life.¹
Author’s Note: According to raid participant and author Colonel John
Gargus (USAF, Retired), the enemy combatant kill count is a frequent
point of discussion. It was initially reported to be in the hundreds,
but subsequent reviews and analysis, primarily by raid participants,
resulted in the revised number of approximately 40 enemy combatants
killed.

The Son Tay Raiders used innovative combat tactics, acquisition
procedures, and emerging technology to overcome the challenges faced on
this historic mission. The GAU-5 variant of the CAR-15, for example,
carried by some of the assault team members incorporated a number of
features that are echoed in modern Special Operations Forces (SOF) M4A1
Close Quarters Battle Rifles (CQBRs). A live-fire comparison of a Son
Tay GAU-5A/A replica and a CQBR replica was used to characterize the
similarities and differences shared between the Son Tay carbines and
modern SOF rifles. The historical website, Retro Black Rifle, indicates
that two types of GAU-5 Carbines were used on the Son Tay raid. Both
the GAU-5/A (also known as the Colt Model 610 XM177) and GAU-5A/A (also
known as the Colt Model 649) carbines are visible in pre-mission photos.²

Photos and More at the Link:

http://soldiersystems.net/2015/11/19/sof-carbines-comparing-the-son-tay-gau-5aa-and-the-m4a1-cqbr-part-i/

Posted: 11/19/2015 1:56:30 PM EDT

[#1]

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

Lots of debate on whether there was a radioactive light source.

Posted: 11/19/2015 3:16:36 PM EDT

[#2]

SSD has by far the best articles on the history and development of SOF carbines. Their MK18 one was excellent too.

Posted: 11/19/2015 4:33:39 PM EDT

[#3]

great read , thanks for the link

Posted: 11/19/2015 6:25:26 PM EDT

[#4]

One of the Raiders was in my Infantry Officer Advance Course. He had been a SF medic and was a late addition to the mission when one of the primary guys went down with a leg injury. He later went into the ARNG and then on to OCS.

This is the GAU-5 that I built as a "gift" to myself upon my retirement from the Army.

From the article I now have an example of the electrical tape install on the RDS. I'll have to correct mine.

I have run this weapon in 3Gun matches. Amazing how quick it points, makes you realize how much added junk (and weight) we have added to our M4A1s.

Mark

Posted: 11/19/2015 6:33:24 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
One of the Raiders was in my Infantry Officer Advance Course. He had been a SF medic and was a late addition to the mission when one of the primary guys went down with a leg injury. He later went into the ARNG and then on to OCS.

This is the GAU-5 that I built as a "gift" to myself upon my retirement from the Army.

From the article I now have an example of the electrical tape install on the RDS. I'll have to correct mine.

http://i66.tinypic.com/2powle1.jpg

I have run this weapon in 3Gun matches. Amazing how quick it points, makes you realize how much added junk (and weight) we have added to our M4A1s.

Mark

View Quote

Beautiful GAU-5! and thank you sir for your service.

Posted: 11/20/2015 2:07:48 PM EDT

[#6]

Part II

http://soldiersystems.net/2015/11/20/sof-carbines-comparing-the-son-tay-gau-5aa-and-the-m4a1-cqbr-part-ii/

Posted: 11/22/2015 11:22:41 AM EDT

[#7]

And my "Part II"

This AR is representative of one of the last weapons that I carried. While not 100% true to the as-issued items that were found at the time, it does come close in fit and function (ex., EOTech 516 vs 553) . I found the comments made in the article to mirror much of what I have noticed between the two weapons. One area that I think was lacking is the ammo used. The CQB-R might have shown even better results had it used MK262 rounds.

And in keeping with this being the Retro section, please take note of the Lone Star grip and the bobbed KAC forward grip. I have been told recently by some younger members of the LEO/MIL community that its cool that I'm still using such "Old-School" stuff.

Posted: 12/5/2015 10:54:49 AM EDT

[#8]

LOL Brother. I feel you pain. "Old school"

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Nice story on the Son Tay GAU-5

AR-15 » AR-15 / M-16 Retro Forum

AR Sponsor:

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

SOF Carbines: Comparing The Son Tay GAU-5A/A And The M4A1 CQBR (Part I)

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us