The Stoner 96 light machine gun was the final project of renowned American gun designer Eugene Stoner before his death in 1997. Created as a refinement of the Stoner 86 model, the 96 design enjoys lower recoil than its predecessor due to its use of a stock buffer and its ability to fire with an open bolt. These modifications mean that the 96 Stoner is shorter and lighter than the 86 at the expense of a reduced fire rate.