Colt Canada C7 and C8

C7 rifle
C7A1 rifle outfitted with iron sights and Nella bayonet
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Canada United States
Service history
In service	1984–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	UNAMIR Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War
Production history
Manufacturer	Diemaco (Former) Colt Canada (Current)
Produced	1982-present
No. built	200,000+
Specifications
Mass	3.3kg (7.2lbs) (Unloaded) 3.9kg (8.5lbs) (loaded w/ 30rnd Magazine) )
Length	100.6 cm (39.5 in)
Barrel length	51 cm (20 in)
Cartridge	5.56x45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	700-900 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	925 m/s (3,035 ft/s)
Effective firing range	400 m (3,000 ft) (effective); 600 m (2,000 ft) (effective in a section)
Feed system	Various 30-rd STANAG magazines.

The Colt Canada C7 rifle is a service rifle variation of the M16 rifle that is manufactured by Diemaco/Colt Canada, a subsidiary of Colt Firearms after 2005, and used by the Canadian Forces, Hærens Jegerkommando (Norway), Military of Denmark (all branches), Icelandic Crisis Response Unit, the Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy and Netherlands Marine Corps, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Royal Marechaussee as its main infantry weapon. Following trials, variants became the weapon of choice of United Kingdom Special Forces. It has been used in various combat operations by the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan.

C7

A Canadian soldier with the C7A1 in 1996, fitted with an Elcan C79 optical sight.

The development of the C7 paralleled that of the M16A2 by Colt. A Canadian Forces Liaison Officer worked with the Marines in the M16A1 Product Improvement Program and relayed information to Canada's Rifle Replacement Program Office. The C7 for all intents and purposes is much like earlier M16A1E1s, rather than final product M16A2s. The earliest C7s were actually manufactured by Colt for Canadian Forces as the Colt Model 715. The C7 series of firearms is driven by the same direct impingement gas system of the M16 series, and like earlier M16s, it can be fired in either semi-automatic or automatic mode, instead of the burst function selected for the M16A2. 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 it easier to access and a half-inch spacer is available to adjust stock length to user preference. The most easily noticeable external difference between American M16A2s and Diemaco C7s is the retention of the A1 style rear sights. Not easily apparent is Diemaco's use of hammer-forged barrels. The Canadians originally wished to use a heavy barrel profile instead of the M16A2 profile, but Colt denied permission. Also, Diemaco has developed a different mounting system from Colt for the M203 grenade launcher for the C7 rifle family.

C7A1

The C7A1 (Diemaco C7FT) replaces the iron sight/carrying handle used on the C7 with a modified Weaver rail for mounting optics. Canadian development of rails preceded American standardization of MIL-STD-1913, aka Picatinny rail, so "Canadian Rail" or "Diemaco Rail" slightly differs. There are 14 slots instead of 13 and each slot is narrower. The height of the rail is also lower, allowing usage of normal front sights. MIL-STD-1913 requires a different front sight assembly. During development, the original rails were vacuum-bonded to the top of a bare receiver though for production the rail and receiver were made out of a single forging. The mount can use traditional iron sights or the Elcan C79 Optical Sight 3.4x power optical sight, both of which can be adjusted for individual eye relief. The optical sight was designed for the C9 light machine gun 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 crosshairs. The 3.4x is powerful enough to properly see targets at the maximum accurate range of 400 m, though like most magnified optical sights 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 C79 sight in favour of non-magnified optical sights or backup iron sights when engaged or training in close quarters battle. The front sight was changed to a round post 0.050 inches in diameter, from the square post.

C7A2

With Canadian involvement in Afghanistan, Diemaco and the Canadian Army have 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 3-rail TRI-AD I mount on the front sight triangle. The selector lever, magazine release, and charging handle latch are 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.

C8

C8 carbine
File:Diemaco C8 carabine with Elcan C79 sight and grenade launcher.jpg A member of the 7th NL SBS armed with a Diemaco C8A1 carbine with Elcan C79 sight and Heckler & Koch AG-C grenade launcher
Type	Carbine
Place of origin	Canada United States
Service history
In service	1994–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	War on Terrorism, Iraq War
Production history
Manufacturer	Diemaco (Former) Colt Canada (Current)
Produced	1980s-present
No. built	50,000+
Specifications
Mass	(unloaded) 2.68 kg (5.91 lb) for C8A1/ 2.81 kg (6.19 lb) for C8A2
Length	84 cm (33.1 in) (stock extended), 76 cm (30 in) (stock collapsed)
Barrel length	37 cm (14.5 in)
Cartridge	5.56x45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	750-950 rpm (cyclic)
Muzzle velocity	905m/s (3,000f/s)
Effective firing range	400 m (1,300 ft) (effective)
Feed system	Various STANAG Magazines.

The C8 carbine is the carbine member of the C7 family, and is mechanically and aesthetically very similar to the Colt 653. Colt made the initial C8s for Canadian Forces as the Colt Model 725. The C8 has a 14.5-inch A1 profile barrel like the Colt Model 653 M16A1 carbine, but with a 1/7 rifling twist appropriate for the 5.56x45mm NATO C77 cartridge. The C8 incorporates the design improvements featured on C7 rifles.

C8A1

The improved C8A1 (Diemaco C8FT) is essentially the same as the C7A1, just in carbine form. The overall layout of the weapon remains essentially unchanged except for the upper receiver and the general inclusion of the C79 sight. C8A1s have also been more commonly seen with the detachable carry handle with A1 sights developed by Diemaco for both the C7FT and the C8FT.

C8SFW

Building upon the C8 and C8A1, Diemaco created the Special Forces Weapon (SFW), which provides an interesting combination of ideas. Featuring a longer, 16-inch barrel of a heavier profile than the C8/A1, the SFW is designed to provide a fire support capability in carbine form. The profile of the barrel is not uniform, oddly enough bulging out at the end, whereas the M4 profile barrel steps down. The front sight base is strengthened for mounting of the Heckler & Koch AG-C/EGLM grenade launcher. The British Ministry of Defence acquired a number of SFWs, primarily for Special Forces, giving them the Land Force designation L119A1. This version of the C8 is also in service with the Norwegian MJK and HJK. Because of the barrel profile, another Diemaco specific mount is required to attach the M203 grenade launcher (though the MoD have decided to use the HK AG-C/L17A1).

C8FTHB

Concerns that Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry had with the C8 led to the creation of the C8FTHB. The C8FTHB (Flat Top Heavy Barrel) features numerous improvements over the C8, including a heavy profile hammer-forged barrel and Elcan C79 Optical Sight.

Other C8 Variants

Recently, Diemaco has begun producing three additional C8 variants. The C8CQB similar to the Mark 18 Mod 0 CQBR, having a 10-inch barrel and a Vortex flash suppressor. The Diemaco Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) is even more compact having an overall length of 20.7 inches with stock fully retracted. It has a 5.7-inch barrel and the receiver extension has been shortened by 1.65 inches. A further upgrade upon the C8FTHB is currently being slowly integrated. The new version will be designated the C8A3. The C8A3 will combine the C8FTHB with the upgrades found on the C7A2. These improvements include green furniture, ambidextrous fire selector, magazine catch, and an extended ambidextrous charging handle.

Diemaco LSW

Colt and Diemaco also paired up to develop a squad automatic weapon variant of the series. The Diemaco Light Support Weapon (LSW) features a heavy barrel suitable for sustained fire. The LSW can only be fired on fully-automatic. The LSW has a boxy square handguard with a carrying handle and a vertical foregrip that can be used as a monopod. The LSW was made with no bayonet lug until recently because of the original bipod. 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 open bolt, allowing the removal of the forward assist. The LSW used by the Royal Danish Army fires from a closed bolt 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. The Colt weapon likely has a new 900 series model number.

See Colt Automatic Rifle for more information.

Other Diemaco variants

C7CT and C8CT Designated Marksman variants

Diemaco's C7/C8 family is completed with two designated marksman variants, the C7CT and C8CT, with CT meaning Custom Tactical. These accurized C7/C8 variants are designed to provide accurate engagement up to 600 meters, while providing system commonality to other fielded weapons. They have two-stage match triggers and weighted stocks to counterbalance the heavy 20-inch or 16-inch 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.

C10 small bore training version

Diemaco makes a training version of the C7 named the C10. It fires .22 Long Rifle, but is only capable of semiautomatic fire. The stock and lower receiver are one piece.

C7/C8 variants comparison table

Colt model no.	Diemaco model	Canadian designation	British designation	Danish designation	Barrel Length	Barrel Type	Handguard type	Buttstock type	Pistol grip type	Lower receiver type	Upper receiver type	Rear sight type	Muzzle device	Forward assist?	Case deflector?	Bayonet lug?	Trigger pack
715	C7	C7	N/A	N/A	20 in (508 mm)	A2 Profile (1/7 twist)	Full-length ribbed	Fixed A2	A2	A2	A2	A1	M16A2-style birdcage flash suppressor	Yes	Yes	Yes	S-R-Auto
N/A	C7FT	C7A1	N/A	Gv M/95	20 in (508 mm)	A2 Profile (1/7 twist)	Full-length ribbed	Fixed A2	A2	A2	Flattop	None	M16A2-style birdcage flash suppressor	Yes	Yes	Yes	S-R-Auto
N/A	C7A2	C7A2	N/A	Gv M/08	20 in (508 mm)	A2 Profile (1/7 twist)	Full-length ribbed	Four-position retractable	A2	A2	Flattop	None	M16A2-style birdcage flash suppressor	Yes	Yes	Yes	S-R-Auto
750	LSW	N/A	N/A	LSV M/04	20 in (508 mm)	A2 HBAR Profile (1/7 twist)	Square LMG	Fixed A2	A2	A2	A2 or Flattop	A2 or None	M16A2-style birdcage flash suppressor	Yes or No	Yes	Yes or No	S-R-Auto or S-Auto
725	C8	C8	N/A	N/A	14.5 in (368 mm)	A1 Profile (1/7 twist)	Short cylindrical ribbed	Two-position retractable	A2	A2	A2	A1	M16A2-style birdcage flash suppressor	Yes	Yes	Yes	S-R-Auto
N/A	C8FT	C8A1	N/A	N/A	14.5 in (368 mm)	A1 Profile (1/7 twist)	Short cylindrical ribbed	Four-position retractable	A2	A2	Flattop	None	M16A2-style birdcage flash suppressor	Yes	Yes	Yes	S-R-Auto
N/A	C8FTHB	C8A2	N/A	Kb M/96	14.5 in (368 mm)	A2 HBAR Profile (1/7 twist)	Short cylindrical ribbed	Four-position retractable	A2	A2	Flattop	None	M16A2-style birdcage flash suppressor	Yes	Yes	Yes	S-R-Auto
N/A	SFW	N/A	L119A1	N/A	15.8 in (401 mm)	SFW Profile (1/7 twist)	KAC M4 RAS	Four-position retractable	A2	A2	Flattop	None	M16A2-style birdcage flash suppressor	Yes	Yes	Yes	S-R-Auto

C7 in foreign service

Denmark

Denmark bought the first batch of C7A1 in 1995 and C8A2 in 1996, designating them the M/95 and M/96 carbine. In 2004 the LSW, named LSV M/04 was added to the arsenal. These are to replace the German made M/75 (H&K G3), which has been the main infantry weapon since 1975.

The C7A1 is issued to standard infantry units of the Royal Danish Army. The C8A2 is issued to units where the physically longer C7A1 can be obstructive to that units primary work, such as logisticians, tankers and special units. Jægerkorpset or Frømandskorpset (Special forces) use the C8SFW with a 16" barrel and extra front rails. The LSW used to be issued to "support gunners" in infantry squads. However in the future the Royal Danish Army will only use 7.62mm belt-fed machine guns for the support role. Most of the LSW's will be transferred to the Danish Home Guard since the weapon is perfectly suited for guard duty (see below).

The Army almost exclusively use the C7A1 and C8A2 with the Elcan C79 optical sight, while the Danish Home Guard use the C8A2 with the Swedish produced Aimpoint. The main feature of the Aimpoint is the "both eyes open" sighting. This is the preferred sighting method at shorter ranges.

The C7A1 was first issued to field units of Logcoy/Danbn/Dancon of the Danish International Brigade, in October-November 1995 shortly before the transition from UNPROFOR to IFOR in Bosnia.

The Royal Danish Army is starting a process to replace all variants of M/96 and M/95 with a new weapon from Colt Canada. It features a 16" floating barrel, fully ambidextrous controls, flip up iron sights, a collapsible buttstock with more positions, a better charging handle and the IUR integrated upper receiver with integrated quad-rail. The official danish name is rifle M/08. This reflects lessons learned fighting the Taliban in the Helmand province of Afghanistan (where the Royal Danish Army takes part).

Originally the M/95 and M/96 where issued with plastic 30 round magazines. They are however not being used for front line duty anymore and are replaced by metal magazines. The plastic tend to crack and when it breaks completely, all rounds can be ejected into the air. They can also have problems reliably feeding the weapon, when loaded with more than 28 rounds.

Afghan National Army

In December 2007, Canada agreed to donate 2,500 surplus C7 rifles to the Afghan National Army along with training and ammunition.

Users

• Afghanistan
• Canada
• Denmark
• France
• Iceland
• Netherlands
• New Zealand Used by NZSAS.
• Norway
• United Kingdom Used by SAS as their standard assault rifle.

See also

• C9 light machine gun

External links

• Canadian Armed Forces website(link fixed 1 Nov 09)
• Colt Canada (Formerly Diemaco)
• - Assault rifle suppressors for Colt / Colt Canada models -