Canadian Rangers to carry Winchesters after 60 years of bearing Enfield rifles

[Peter Laidler]

Do these Rangers get an ammunition allocation that they have to account for. It seems to be a very slack sort of organisation - or am I missing the point to the extent of being somewhat naive?

[Claven2]

They get issue ammo, but it's soft point. The Rangers are more like reservists - as part of the incentive to serve, using their Enfields for personal hunting is a "perk" extended to them as I understand things.

[Mk VII]

Barrels, no doubt are becoming scarce - and they aren't making them anymore.

[Stevo]

They get issue ammo, but it's soft point. The Rangers are more like reservists - as part of the incentive to serve, using their Enfields for personal hunting is a "perk" extended to them as I understand things.

There's also issue ball ammo.

[browningautorifle]

All parts are becoming scarce. The man that issued the rifles down here in Victoria some years ago had to start cannibalizing (is that correct Peter?) at that time. This is many years after that. It can't have gotten better. The thing is, I KNOW we have a couple of current Ranger leaders on this forum. But where...?

[scheesman]

http://pubs.drdc.gc.ca/inbasket/Pera..._174_Final.pdf

Canadian Ranger Rifle: Human Factors Requirements Validation - great title!

I got really excited when I read a first version of the article because it said "Canadian Rangers to get new Lee-Enfield.."! But now it sounds alot more like it will be a modern commercial bolt action with plastic stock and 10 round mags.


Sean

[Claven2]

I just scanned that DRDC document. WOW. The Contract Technical Authority is an Army Lieutenant...?!? WTF!?! At NDHQ, the Lieutenants are considered LUCKY if the Majors let them make coffee, let alone be the technical authority on a weapons procurement program. Either this guy is a rocket scientist with a PER that says he walks on water, or this program is doomed to failure and they;d better keep those Lees in reserve. Just sayin'...

[Brian Dick]

The replacement might be the Model 70 which is produced here in South Carolina by FNMI in Columbia. Yes, Winchester is owned by FN. They are superb rifles, I've had a few through here. I think the quality rivals any pre 1964 Winchester Model 70 out there. The problem is that the tolerances are as commercial sporting rifles and they will probably fail in the extreme cold Arctic climate without meticulous attention to maintenance/detail unlike the trusty No.4. They are also very expensive.

[Thunderbox]

Maybe they should issue Mosin Nagants? There are thousands of brand-new ones available, they are very cheap, they were adapted to work in an identical climate without any maintenance at all, there are millions of rounds of cheap ammo available, etc, etc....

[browningautorifle]

He's got a point there...