Well, here's another piece of creative fiction!

[Peter Laidler]

I'm sure that would be the general rule - within reason. But with weapons, in our system it was slightly different according to my colleague WO2 Jock xxxxxxxxxx. Off the shelf 'non service pattern' stuff was rigidly tested to ensure that it was suitable and safe. After all, it's no use having a, (from my knowledge.....) say, silenced SMG with such close tolerances that is incapable of operating in a dusty climate or something that is so fragile to the point of being unreliable. But you get my drift. That's why there is always a xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxx and similar available for advice

[can14&]

The L1A1 is classic, but the ad for the Canadian Flag takes the cake, 1950/60s
era!! We got the flag in mid 60s before Canada 100 year cent

[Peter Laidler]

Er......... you've lost me Can14. What flag? What advert? Am I missing something or is it an old age thing.......?

[browningautorifle]

Am I missing something

I went back through to find out too...and I remember the flag change...?

[Brian Dick]

I have a lovely sewn Canadian Red Ensign made in the 40's by Annin. I bought it off a guy in Birmingham, Alabama at the AGCA show many years ago. He was using it for a table cover and had his coffee sitting on it so i had to act. Most Canadians now don't even know what it is, unfortunately.

[CINDERS]

Gads that was a curve ball from shorty chopped used in battle L1A1 SAS 'snub nose' SLR - Rare - Wharton Militaria to the Canadian flag this is what I like about this place obtuse angles of discussion Brilliant......

[browningautorifle]

He was using it for a table cover

Ignorant F*CK. Well done Brian. I likely wouldn't have been as polite as you undoubtedly were though. The very idea of using a flag for a table cover in the first place...

Gads that was a curve ball from shorty chopped used in battle L1A1 SAS 'snub nose' SLR

Well, we weren't getting anywhere with that anyway...

[Brian Dick]

I've known him for many years and he didn't have a clue what it was. I whipped out a $50 bill, informed him that it was the REAL Canadian flag and TOLD him he was selling it to me. Not so politely I reckon. I was tickled to get it though as they certainly aren't common in this part of the world or anywhere else for that matter. When I got back to Edgefield, I took it to a dry cleaners and it cleaned up really nicely. I've displayed it with my M38 CDN a time or two at vehicle displays.

[browningautorifle]

he didn't have a clue what it was

My point is, it was a flag and obviously so. Well done and well displayed I should think. Closest I have is regimental flag, Ontario flag and UN flag...

[graz]

In the CDN service I am sure it was recommended or written somewhere, but if so it was never enforced.

Even on live fire, if you forgot your plugs and none were available, it was down to sharing or stuffing cigarette filters in the ears. The show must go on and don't be stupid next time was the way of the way of the world at the time.

I am joining this party late but the loudest noise I ever subjected myself to was the loader/#2 on a GPMG (Canadian Forces also). To be able to handle the belt you were forward of the gunner and your right ear was right beside the great big steel breech block ramming back and forth along with 7.62 ammo going off in full auto. 25 round bursts seemed to take forever and a 220 round belt was about all I could take...

While I am here, I will drop this out also: I have 3 commercial M14 clones, all of which came with the standard 22 inch barrel. I had 2 of them cut down to 18.5 inches and the shorties function perfectly fine even with my slightly reduced power handloads. Next time at the range I will see if the remaining full length rifle throws brass any further than the short barrel guns, but I don't think so. The only difference is a slight muzzle velocity decrease with the short barrel.

I know this is a little bit like apples and oranges but both rifles are gas piston operated and I don't see any reason why a C1A1 or L1A1 would not function perfectly fine with a short barrel, especially with the adjustable gas regulator.