In 1971, Eugene Stoner founded ARES Incorporated / ARES Inc. It was co-founded by Robert Bihun. The company to this day develops, tests and manufactures small arms, automatic cannons, combat modules, fire control systems, and industrial equipment.
It is worth highlighting the production of trunks, which currently occupies several buildings with a total area of 2, 2 thousand square meters. ARES prides itself on a lathe that is capable of processing barrels up to 27 "(68.58 cm) in diameter and 244" (6.2 meters) long.
From the company's developments, the author remembered the experimental product ARES FMG: a submachine gun for concealed carry, which folds in half. The author Francis Warin developed it because of the increasing number of high-ranking officials and executives of large companies being kidnapped in the early 1980s in South America. It is believed that the author conceived the ARES FMG PP as a “personal weapon for the self-defense of businessmen”. Later, similar weapons were developed in Russia (PP-90) and in the USA (Magpul FMG-9).
Stoner 86 / ARES LMG
In 1986, the company introduced the ARES LMG 1 light machine gun to the market, which is a development of the 1963 Stoner system. Therefore, the new modification is often called the Stoner 86. The barrel, as in the previous model, is quick-detachable. The machine gun is equipped with a fixed tubular butt and folding bipod. The type of ammunition supply is combined: it is carried out either with a tape for 200 rounds (main), or magazines for 30 rounds (spare). It is difficult to say whether Eugene Stoner spied on a solution with a combined power supply from a post-war Soviet RP-46 machine gun (belt + disk).
To switch from tape to store feed, you need to dismantle the unit with the tape feed mechanism and replace it with another one with a receiver for standard magazines for M16. The magazine is mounted on top of the bolt carrier, like in the ZB-26 / "Bren" machine guns. In order for the magazine not to interfere with aiming, the magazine receiver is not located vertically upwards, but is shifted at a slight angle to the left.
A similar type of ammunition was used on the Czechoslovakian machine gun Vz. 52, which was developed after World War II, in the early 50s. Later, the combined type of ammunition was used on the FN Minimi.
In the late 70s, the US Army and the ILC announced joint requirements for a light machine gun under the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) program, "Squad Automatic Weapon". By that time, Colt had already developed and tested the XM106 machine gun. It was a heavy barrel modification of the M16A2, also known as the M16 HBAR. However, the military rejected it. Colt Machine Gun 2 (CMG-2) also failed. ARES also decided to participate in the SAW program with the Stoner 86 machine gun. In addition to the above models, the following models participated in the competition:
Maremont XM233.
Ford Aerospace XM234.
Rodman XM235.
FN Minimi XM249.
HK XM262.
As a result of the tests, the FN Minimi XM249 machine gun was chosen as the winner, followed by the HK XM262 with a small margin.
However, the Stoner 86 / ARES LMG 1 did not interest the American military, and foreign contracts were also not concluded. According to unverified reports, the Stoner 86 was produced in limited quantities. Its only buyers (and subsequent modifications) were private military companies, who liked its exceptional accuracy, compactness and relatively low weight.
Stoner 96 / Knight's Armament LMG
In 1990, Eugene Stoner left ARES and began a partnership with the Knight's Armament Company (KAC). There he, among other things, continued to work on improving the light machine gun of his own design.
At the turn of the 70s and 80s of the last century, Knight's Armament managed to acquire the rights to manufacture the Stoner 63 complex from the developer. The buyer received original drawings and all the necessary equipment from the Cadillac Gage. Knight's Armament managed to get the M63A into production. At the very least, there is confirmation of the existence of a belt-fed machine gun configuration.
At the auction, the machine gun was sold in the following configuration:
- spare barrel in original case;
- folding bipod;
- cartridge boxes for 100 cartridges (2 pcs.);
- a set of spare parts;
- operator's manual (original);
- links for loose cartridge tape (8 bags).
After Eugene Stoner's transfer to Knight's Armament, the designer began to work on the development of the Stoner 63 and 86 weapon systems. So, in 1996, the KAC Stoner LMG machine gun was released, which is also called the Stoner 96. and kept only the tape. Also, the Stoner 96 received a shortened barrel and as a result, a decrease in weight. In theory, thanks to the shortened barrel and less weight, the machine gun is easier to handle, especially in confined spaces.
There is evidence that the FN Minimi (M249), which was adopted by the US Armed Forces in 1982, continued to suffer from "childhood diseases". And the Stoner 96 was designed precisely to push the FN Minimi out of the market amid these very diseases.
The KAC Stoner LMG has been in the "preparation stage" for a long time and has undergone many changes in the process. It was launched into production only in 2016. Its modifications in various designs and configurations were announced both on the manufacturer's website and at various exhibitions. Below are photos of just some of them.
Stoner Assault Machine Gun / KAC LAMG
LAMG (Light Assault Machine Gun) is a light assault machine gun from Knight's Armament. The company's website is proposed as a replacement for the Stoner LMG and is another upgrade of the Stoner 96. Alternative name - Stoner Assault Machine Gun.
Outwardly, Stoner's brainchild has changed almost beyond recognition. Here you have a regular PBS, an unusual-shaped cartridge case, and a stock, and even the color of the product. True, there is also a version of the traditional, black color.
New ammunition box
Already in the early version of the belt machine gun (Stoner 63), the designer provided a solution that could reliably protect the open section of the cartridge belt from clogging. Pay attention to the photo below. Ian McCollum (Forgotten Weapons) prepares the Stoner 63 machine gun for firing. The arrow marks the "door" covering the tape from the box to the receiver.
And now, more than thirty years later, the successors of the Eugene Stoner case, offered a reasonable compromise between efficiency and the number of operations performed.
The manufacturer has developed for the KAC LAMG machine gun a version of the cartridge box for a 150-round belt. It features angular shapes and a flat bottom. The lower plane of the box can be used as a support for the machine gun, without folding out the bipod. This saves the shooter valuable time.
From the box of the new model, the tape passes through a rigid sleeve called the belt feed control lips. The developers tried to bring the "lips" of the cartridge box as close as possible to the receiver window. The photo shows that they are slightly above the level of the hook for fastening. The designers considered that the smaller the section of the tape will remain open, the less chance that the tape will be influenced by external factors. For example, it will not collect thickets, will not catch on surrounding objects. In addition, this design should provide a smoother belt feed.
New bolt box cover
On the Stoner 63 belt machine gun, as on the German MG-34/42, as well as on the Soviet RPD or PKM, the cover covers the receiver from the butt to the barrel. And already in the next model (Stoner 86) and further, the bolt cover is distinguished by its short length. It is slightly longer than the receiver itself.
And behind the cover, above the rest of the bolt carrier, there is a Picatinny rail. A folding rear sight is already installed on it and it is possible to mount any compatible optics. The manufacturer's website claims that this solution allows you to more conveniently use attachments. In addition, when changing tape in tight spaces, the small cover is also a plus. Agree, this has its own logic.
The manufacturer does not specify what materials are made of certain parts of the KAC LAMG machine gun. Judging by the only picture from the official website, it can be assumed that polymers were widely used. However, the publication Soldier Systems Daily (SSD) notes that the rail mounting system on the receiver (under the collimator) is made of "gun-grade aluminum" material. Perhaps we are talking about alloys 6061 or 7005.
The rate of fire of the KAC LAMG ranges from 575-625 rounds per minute. The model supports quick barrel change and is compatible with NATO type M27 detachable ammunition belts. Let me remind you that the M27 type belt was developed in the 60s specifically for the Stoner system machine guns.
1. Flame arrester of improved design to increase the concealment of the shooter. 2. Forend for barrel ventilation, attachment of body kit, and easier barrel replacement. 3. Barrel Release Button + Lock-Up Mechanism. 4. Receiver with oblong holes to save weight, and attachments for body kit. 5. Handle for reloading. You can cock the weapon from both the right and left sides.
6. Mount for the cartridge box. Fully compatible with metal boxes for 200 rounds, canvas bags for 100 rounds, as well as the novelty: angular box for 150 rounds. 7. Trigger Pack. 8. Removable stock. Any stock that meets the MIL-STD (US Department of Defense) standard can be fitted.
Standard barrel length is 15 inches (38.1 cm), rifling pitch (twist) - 1: 7. But for the use of weapons in a confined space, a shorter and lighter barrel is offered, as well as a barrel with a built-in PBS, which provides an optimal result (purchased separately). PBS is removable (for service).
Key differences KAC LAMG
Among the key qualities, the manufacturer notes:
1. Forged trigger and barrel. After forging, the barrels are heat treated, and then the barrel bores are chrome plated. This allows the barrel to withstand high temperatures during intense firing while maintaining accuracy, durability and reliability.
2. The patented Quick Detach Coupler (QDC) system is a quick disconnect coupler for muzzle attachments such as flame arrester, compensator and PBS. Thanks to her, the muzzle attachment is not screwed onto the barrel, but is pushed onto the barrel until it clicks. All attachments and most of the Knight's Armament barrels are equipped with the QDC system.
3. Modular M-LOK system for attaching accessories.
4. System of reducing recoil * (constant-recoil / spring run-out operation).
* The author turned to the manufacturer with the question: how does the recoil reduction system work? There has been no response to this day.
Judging by the comments on the English-language forums, the recoil reduction system on the Stoner LAMG is somewhat similar to the one used by James Sullivan when developing the Ultimax 100 machine gun (Singapore). The same designer, one of Eugene Stoner's assistants, whom he lured from ArmaLite to develop the Stoner 63 complex. Let me remind you that Mr. L. James Sullivan took part in the development of such rifles as the M16, Ruger Mini-14, Ruger M77.
