Carbon 15

This article is about the lightweight firearm. For the radioisotope, see isotopes of carbon.

Carbon 15
Carbon 15 SBR
Type	Pistol / Carbine / Rifle
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Manufacturer	Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC
Variants	9mm Pistol, Type 21/21S Pistol, Type 97/97S Pistol, Type 97S Rifle, 9mm Carbine, Top Loading Carbine, Flat-Top Carbine, .22 Rimfire Rifle, Model 4, Type R21 Rifle
Specifications
Mass	1.31 kg (2.88 lb) (Type 97 Pistol) 1.81 kg (4 lb) (Type R21 Rifle)
Length	20 in (50.8 cm) (Type 97 Pistol) 35 in (88.9 cm) (Type R21 Rifle)
Barrel length	7.25 in (18.42 cm) (Type 97 Pistol) 16 in (40.6 cm) (Type R21 Rifle)
Cartridge	9×19mm Luger (9mm models) .223 Remington and 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 models)
Action	Blowback (9mm Models) Gas-operated (.223 models)
Muzzle velocity	1,750 feet (530 m)/s
Feed system	Various STANAG Magazines.
Sights	iron/optical

The Carbon 15 is a family of lightweight, magazine-fed pistols, carbines, and rifles developed by defunct United States weapons manufacturer Professional Ordnance, with the design picked up after some time by current manufacturer Bushmaster Firearms.

Overview

The Carbon 15 line of weapons are closely based on the Colt AR-15 design. They are distinguished by their carbon fiber construction, which provides an extremely lightweight frame, which is also extremely durable; chemical, water, and heat resistant. The Carbon 15 line are generally 5.56 mm (.223 caliber) weapons, however there are 9 mm versions of the Carbon 15 pistol and carbine.

Early in 2009 Bushmaster, the primary manufacturer of Carbon-15 pistols/rifles, has begun to include the ejection port dust cover and forward assist in their Carbon-15 M4 rifles.

See also

• PLR-16