This is a lightweight, folding stock, carbine version of the
Stoner weapons system. It can attach a bayonet, but cannot
fire rifle grenades. The M23 uses the basic receiver group,
carbine barrel, folding stock, magazine adaptor,
forestock, and rifle rearsight from the Stoner System 63A.
By replacing a few parts (barrel, stock, etc.)
it can easily be turned into one of the other weapons in the
system.
Other weapons include:
M22 Assault Rifle
-
Mk23 Machinegun,
-
M207 Machinegun.
The M23 is a little bit heavier than other carbines.
This is largely because the parts it has in common with
the machine gun versions have to be strong enough to
withstand the stress in the machinegun.
The Stoner System 63A was designed by Eugene Stoner.
After designing the
M16
for
Armalite,
he worked as a consultant for
Colt.
After leaving there, he went to work for
Cadilac Gage,
where he designed the Stoner System 62 (based on the
7.62x51mm
round)
and the Stoner System 63 and 63A.