There were a number of weapons used experimentally by small units of US military forces in Vietnam. One of the better known is the Stoner 63 system (which we will be uploading some material on shortly) – and one of the lesser known was the Harrington & Richardson T223 rifle. The T223 was basically a copy of the H&K33, a full size roller-delayed rifle in .223 caliber.
Note the distinctive magazine style
We have a preliminary operating and maintenance manual for the T223, dated June 1965. One of the advantages the rifle had at that time was the use of 40-round magazines in addition to 20-round ones. That early in the Vietnam war, M16 rifles were only being supplied with 20-rounders, and 30s were rare and difficult to find. For special forces units, the additional magazine capacity was a definite boon.
(1965) H&R T223 rifle manual (English)
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Waiting for Stoner 63 info …
I see that century is selling a rifle similar to this. comes with two 40 round mags. about 500.00
It wasn’t a copy of the HK33; it was a HK33. H&R later imported the HK4 pistol.
I wish that was our service rifle! I don’t hate the Armalite, but I don’t like how much I have to clean it! Also, I know we all use optics now, but not too long ago (like when I was in basic) we used iron sights: The M16 has my second favorite sights. Only HK beats it.
“That early in the Vietnam war (1965), M16 rifles were only being supplied with 20-rounders, and 30s were rare and difficult to find.”
The Colt M16 30 round magazine was requested by Combat Developments Command in January 1966 and was not in series production until 1969, and was patent number US 3440751.