1. Canadian Firearms Centre

Canadian soldiers of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) on a patrol with the C7A2.The development of the C7 assault rifle paralleled that of the by Colt. A Canadian Forces liaison officer worked with the in the M16A1 Product Improvement Program and relayed information to Canada's Rifle Replacement Program Office. The C7 is much like earlier M16A1E1s, rather than final product M16A2s.

The earliest C7s were manufactured by Colt for Canadian Forces as the Colt Model 715. The C7 series of firearms is driven by the same gas system as the M16 series. Like the M16A1 and M16A3, the C7 has both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire modes. The C7 also features the structural strengthening, improved handguards, and longer stock developed for the M16A2. Diemaco changed the trapdoor in the buttstock to make for easier access, and a 13 mm (0.5 in) spacer is available to adjust stock length.

The most noticeable external difference between American M16A2s and Diemaco C7s is the retention of the A1 style rear sights. Not so apparent is Diemaco's use of hammer-forged barrels, introduced as the Canadians originally wished to use a heavy barrel profile instead of the M16A2 profile. Also, Diemaco has developed a different mounting system from Colt for the M203 grenade launcher for the C7 rifle family. The C7 has a cyclic rate of fire of around 700–900 rounds per minute (RPM).C7A1 The C7A1 (Diemaco C7FT) replaces the /carrying handle used on the C7 with a modified for mounting optics. Canadian development of rails preceded U.S.

Standardization of the MIL-STD-1913 ', so the 'Canadian Rail' or 'Diemaco Rail' differs slightly. There are 14 slots instead of 13, and each slot is narrower. The height of the rail is also higher, allowing the use of normal-height front sight post whereas a Picatinny rail requires the use of a higher F-marked front sight post. During development, the original rails were vacuum-bonded to the top of a bare receiver. For production, the rail and receiver were made out of a single forging. The mount can use traditional iron sights or the 3.4× power optical sight, both of which can be adjusted for individual eye relief.

The optical sight was designed for the and includes horizontal and vertical mil-bars used for range determination and deflection, and a tritium glow-in-the-dark aiming post rather than the traditional. The 3.4× is powerful enough to properly see targets at the maximum accurate range of 400 m (440 yd), though like most magnified it is prone to criticism for creating tunnel vision in close quarters situations. While the wide aperture helps to speed target acquisition, Canadian soldiers generally forgo the sight in favour of non-magnified optical sights or backup iron sights when engaged or training in. The front sight was changed from the square post to a round post 1.3 mm (0.05 in) in diameter.C7A2. A Canadian soldier fires the current issue C7A2 assault rifle at the range with a A2 sight. This particular example is missing the standard TRIAD mount.With Canadian involvement in Afghanistan, Diemaco and the Canadian Forces developed improvements to the C7A1 to better suit the operational situations at hand. The result, the C7A2, has a four-point telescoping stock unit similar to that of the C8 carbine and a three-rail TRI-AD I mount on the front sight triangle.

The selector lever, magazine release, and charging handle latch is ambidextrous. Also, the C7A2 is issued with green colour furniture as standard. These weapons are often seen with a similar plethora of accessories as their American counterparts given the overall commonalities of the system and the rail mounts. The C7A2 is also issued with the ELCAN optical gunsight with 3.4× magnification but with a uniform green rubber armored coating, but some soldiers who are issued it have either been issued or have purchased sights like the holographic weapons sight and the Trijicon.

Within an eight-man section, six soldiers will normally carry a C7A2: the section commander and second in command, two grenadiers and two riflemen, with only the machine gunners carrying a C9A2 LMG. The C7A2 is considered a 'mid-life' upgrade for the C7 family. The addition of the TRI-AD rail mount has made it easier for soldiers to attach accessories such as laser designators and tac lights. Many A2's are also seen with folding grips from Cadex Inc. Under the handguards which can store 2 CR123 batteries.The Canadian Forces is looking to upgrade and modernise their stockpile of C7A2 assault rifles, although nothing is yet official or certain as of mid-2016. One of the biggest upgrades that might be implemented is the replacement of the standard flat-top upper receiver with standard handguards, handguard end cap and front sight base with a monolithic upper receiver with integrated aluminium quad-rail handguard for increased modularity with accessories and free-floating the barrel for augmented precision.

This would put the fleet of service rifles of the Canadian Armed Forces on par with Colt Canada's latest offerings and upgrades of the Danish and Dutch militaries who have adopted rifles with monolithic upper receivers. This version will require the use of the Colt Canada M203A1 with a different mounting system due to the new aluminium quad-rail handguard. Since Colt Canada developed and released the MRR (Modular Rail Rifle) that uses a monolithic upper receiver with the Magpul attachment system, the Canadian Armed Forces might be heading in that direction instead, along with a shorter, 18.6-inch (470 mm) barrel, instead of the standard 20-inch (510 mm) barrel, and straight gas tube with a low-profile gas block The possibility of using integrated suppressors is also something that is being looked into.

A shorter charging-handle latch will also be used as opposed to the very long C7A2 latch, which gets caught on equipment and vests, which causes the latch to bend and break the charging-handle.C8 Colt Canada C8. Danish LSW M/04 with optical sightColt and Diemaco also paired up to develop a variant of the series. The Diemaco Light Support Weapon (LSW) features a heavy barrel suitable for sustained fire.

The LSW can only fire automatically. The LSW has a boxy square handguard with a carrying handle and a vertical foregrip that can be used as a. The LSW was made with no until recently because of the original. A new bipod attaches to the same barrel yoke as the carrying handle and front grip, so current LSWs are made with a bayonet lug. Unlike many M16 variants, it fires from an, allowing the removal of the.

The LSW is used by the and the (LOAW / LOAWNLD) fires from a and also has a semi-automatic firing mode. The Diemaco LSW was originally a license produced variant of the Colt 750, but both Colt and Diemaco have upgraded their respective weapons to include features like a detachable carry handle and other features separately.Other Diemaco variants C7CT and C8CT Designated Marksman variants Diemaco's C7/C8 family is completed with two variants, the C7CT and C8CT, with CT meaning Custom Tactical. These accurized C7/C8 variants are designed to provide accurate engagement up to 600 m (660 yd), while providing system commonality to other fielded weapons. They have two-stage match triggers and weighted stocks to counterbalance the heavy 508 mm (20.0 in) or 410 mm (16 in) free-floating barrel surrounded by a tubular forestock.

A removable bipod, rails for designators, sling, etc. Attach to that forestock. A special, distinctive pistol grip is fitted and the C7-style buttstock can be adjusted with shims.

Sound suppressors are usually fitted. The rifle is designed as a sniper spotter weapon or a police containment weapon. Latest upgraded C7NLD variant of the C7 assault rifles in Dutch service, 2013 (seen here with yellow ).The most commonly used version in the Dutch Military is the C7. The (Airmobile Brigade), consisting of 11 Infantry Battalion, 12 Infantry Battalion and 13 Infantry Battalion uses the C7A1, and the C8A1 (Diemaco C8FT) was mainly used by the later replaced with the, the paratroopers of the Luchtmobiele Brigade (one company per battalion), the and most of the recon units of the various combat units, including the Forward Air Controllers and the reconnaissance units of the cavalry and the artillery. The also uses the LSW, which is locally known as LOAW.Many of the Dutch C7s, C8s and LOAW have had an overhaul: the rifle's black furniture has now been replaced by dark earth furniture. New parts include a new retracting stock, the Diemaco IUR with rails for mounting flashlights and laser systems, and a vertical foregrip with built-in bipod; the thermold plastic magazines have now become brown in color. The ELCAN sighting system has also disappeared in favour of the Swedish made red dot sight.

These upgraded versions are now known as C7NLD, C8NLD, and LOAWNLD. Sweden The Diemaco C8 SFW (Special Forces Weapon) is used by the and has been seen with Aimpoint sights and various attachments.United Kingdom.

Members of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines train using L119A1 carbines fitted with a CQB upper receiver.The United Kingdom first selected the Diemaco C8 in the mid-1990s as the Special Forces Individual Weapon (SFW). This selection was later reconfirmed in the mid-2000s, by which time Diemaco had become Colt Canada. During the SFW trials, the C8 out-performed both the and the. The C8SFW was subsequently adopted under the designation, L119A1. The L119A1 was so well-liked and reliable, its planned 2014 replacement was deferred in favour of continuing with it. Use of the C8 has expanded to include, among others, the original and, the, the Pathfinder Platoon of, Close Protection teams. There are about 2,500 in service.

A number of barrel lengths are available for different users and most weapons are now fitted with Knights Armaments Rail Adapter System handguards and Picatinny rail flat-top upper receivers. Most users fit Trijicon ACOG x4 sights with CQB reflex attachment, but other sights are used.

Various lasers, lights, foregrips and other attachments are used. Surefire vortex-type flash hiders are generally fitted, and suppressors are available. The standard Canadian bayonet is issued but rarely used.

Coloured furniture is becoming commonplace. The UK very much prefers polymer magazines to metal ones on grounds of weight and reliability and has now standardised on these for all C8 and operational users, with well over a million magazines purchased.

Many weapons are fitted with the underslung 40mm grenade launcher (UGL), the UK designation for the. Detachable shoulder stocks are available for stand-alone use of the UGL. 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group replaced their L85A2 rifles with the C8 in 2016. The Royal Marines will replace all their L85 rifles with a variant of the Colt C8.The United Kingdom upgraded their L119A1 rifles to the L119A2.

There are two variants: The standard Carbine with a 15.7' barrel and CQB (Close Quarter Battle) with a 10.5' barrel. The CQB variant has seen the most widespread use. Both A2 variants feature a custom integrated upper receiver (IUR), compensator, a tan coloured buttstock, Ergo pistol grip, and ambidextrous controls. Botswana The uses the MRR15.7M and MRR11.6S Modualar Rail Rifle as patrol and Close Quarter Battle carbines. These feature an integrated upper receiver, ambidextrous controls, ambidextrous charging handle, custom folding front & rear sights, tan coloured moe pistol grip and ctr buttstock.

They are deployed for national defence, foreign peace-keeping and anti-poaching tasks. Users.: Donated weapons were previously used by the, but the weapons were later returned to Canada.: MRR15.7M and MRR11.6S Modualar Rail Rifle used by the.: Used by the and law enforcement agencies including the, Dryden Police, Halton ERT, the Ontario Provincial Police,. It is also used by the.: Used by the.: Used by the.: In use with and. Also in use with select agencies within the, including, the and the.: Used by the, the of the, and the.See also.Notes. Archived from on 30 November 2016.

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Canadian Firearms Centre

Retrieved 2019-04-26. From the original on 9 November 2012.

Retrieved 15 November 2014. From the original on 2018-05-19. Retrieved 2012-09-03.External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to.Wikimedia Commons has media related to. (Formerly Diemaco).