Saw this photo when searching XM177 pics and noticed something strange with the magazine in the gun.  It looks to be longer than a 20 round mag, but isn’t curved like a 30.  Could it be some experimental 25 round mag or is it just a standard 20 with no ammo and not fully seated?

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It is a "full curve" 30 round magazine.  They came out in 1967, and were to be standard issue with the shorty M16's, but they had problems with them and they were recalled.  They are quite rare today.

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That was quick, thanks

Are you sure that's not a rubber duck?  Zoom in on the forward assist and bolt.

NO! Look at the OP's picture. It's a 20 not seated all the way or a movie prop. Look at the middle grove, unlike the 30 it doesn't go to the bottom.

It does appear to be a normal 20-round magazine that is not seated all the way.  With that said in my opinion there is a bunch of things with the carbine in that picture that do not seem right.  I speculate it is an airsoft XM177 that someone has attempted to install a real 20-round magazine in for looks.  There is what appears to be a seam (common on airsoft) in the front of the magazine well of the lower receiver.  The front pivot pin appears to be a screw head (also common on airsoft).  The bolt carrier and injection port door catch look funny (characteristic of airsoft).  And finally the buffer tube and buttstock appear to be bowed downward off the back of the lower receiver (and yet again something possible with a airsoft plastic extension nub).  Sometimes airsoft players will use real magazine shells over modified airsoft magazines in an attempt for a more realistic looking magazine but this appears more like it was done as a quickie movie prop.

Yeah, I just noticed the weird front sight base too.

I've seen that picture a thousand times and never picked up on that there is something hinky about the gun, good eye!

Incorrect slots on the moderator as well.

I first saw that photo back in the late 80’s or very early 90’s on a book cover my buddy had on his shelf.  I think the book was from some military tactics series of books he was getting, so probably not airsoft. Gun does look strange though.

More info using an image search:

“Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Mark Blasen, foreground, and Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Peter Rogers, both members of Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) Team 4, participate in a training exercise. Blasen is armed with a 5.56 mm Colt Commando assault rifle/submarine gun. All Hands - April 1985. SEAL Colt Commando v2”

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-boatswains-mate-1st-class-mark-blasen-foreground-and-photographers-129980188.html

MGC blank firing replica....

Sure looks like one from the bolt carier profile. I dug this up doing a google search:

https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/MGC_M16_Full_Auto_Blank_Gun/123-481234/

Dunno, but you have the coolest avatar ever (Nixon meets Elvis). That poster is in the rear stall of the gentlemen's at the Frog and Monkey British Pub. One day, it will grace my pub.

Thanks man

Supposedly Elvis was wearing a .38 in that picture

Elvis could, because he was The King.

I remember that game.....in retrospect they look like they're going to a Platoon-themed costume party dressed up like Sgt Elias and Pvt Taylor