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I completely forgot about the new 'ambidextrous' charging handle. Having used both, as a lefty it is easier to use the original charging handle as you use your fingers to unlock the bolt either way. Actually using the current ambidextrous ones as a lefty, there is about a 50% chance your sleeve is going to get caught on some part of that charging handle. Overall I consider the C7A2 to be poorly thought out and implemented. I could even live with it if they removed that stupid tri-rail, went back to the original charging handle, and replaced the sight with something lighter and better (plenty of better options currently out there, I personally miss my irons, but I doubt I will ever see that again on a service rifle). Whenever I go in the field I always try to get the C9 (M249 SAW in the States) as if I have to carry 10.5 lbs I might as well and another 3lbs and get 200rd boxes on full auto.
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12-24-2015 07:34 PM
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Sights ... On that note ... One more picture for tonight ....
Attachment 68190Attachment 68191
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Originally Posted by
CODFan
Nope, not quite, lol, the charging handle was irritating enough that I obtained a regular C7A1 piece and would swap it when I took the rifle in and out of stores, the Triad mount went in a barrack box aside from tour when we actually had a PAQ-2/4 or a surefire issued.
The AA battery holder for the grip was another thing that added weight to the weapon without really adding functionality, mine fell out somewhere, and was never replaced.
I have enough photos, I should put together a little spotters guide or something.
- Darren
1 PL West Nova Scotia Regiment 2000-2003
1 BN Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry 2003-2013
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Originally Posted by
chrome5
You are right
Not to start an argument, but to offer clarification, on the Canadian specification rifles our designations are a bit different from the US spec.
C7- The basic Diemaco production rifle with fixed carry handle sight, 0.5" diameter pencil barrel and 1:12 twist rifling, some of these rifles were recently supplied to the Afghan National Army to help modernize their forces. This would have been the earliest production version. Generally issued with Diemaco 30 round plastic magazines which had a poor reputation for breaking the bodies or feed lips. This lead to the persistent caution on the ranges to never use your magazine as a rifle support or monopod.
C7A1- Heavy profile barrel, change to 1:7 twist rifling, flattop receiver, addition of the Elcan C79 optical sight with plastic back up "iron" sight. Official publications and drawings detailed a plastic magazine, but since my first range day with a C7A1 in 1999, I have only ever seen the replacement Diemaco 30 round metal magazines. The plastic magazines can however still be seen as part of the C7 rubber training rifle molding, and occasionally found, brittle and sunbaked, in training areas where they had been lost on previous exercises.
C7A2- As the A1, with green furniture, ambidextrous FCS, Mag release, and charging handle. Addition of Triad mount, accu-wedge, battery storage in the grip, C8 carbine cleaning kit carrier, relocated rear sling swivel, carbine butt stock with buttpad and revised buffer. Elcan C79 sight upgraded to C79A1 with revised base to improve robustness, later, some rifles were equipped with Eotech sights and/or Cadex folding forward grip.
The C8 Carbines have undergone their own similar but slightly different evolution, of which I am not as familiar. I had a C8A3 overseas for a month or so, it was handy, even though it seemed a bit heavy for the size of it.
- Darren
1 PL West Nova Scotia Regiment 2000-2003
1 BN Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry 2003-2013
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Brian, sorry I can't comment on your question about the reinforced lower receivers, I don't have any hands on experience with them to assess that. They predate my service dates so to speak.
Anecdotally, overall I maintain a positive opinion of the C7/M16/AR15 series rifles, reasonable operator care is all it took to keep mine running reliably, and the ergonomics are the best in my opinion.
Another interesting point, many of the CF service rifles appear to be recycled and rebuilt up through the various versions, over the years the rifles I had were serialized from 1986 to 1993. In fact, as a humorous point my younger brother deployed to Afghanistan with an C7A2 that had a lower receiver 1 year older than he was.
C9 LMG's I had were serialized 1985-1990, any pistols were the 1944 production Inglis Hi-powers, our 60mm Mortars were Korea vintage, I can't recall the production ranges on our C6 GMPG's. We certainly got our money's worth from our adopted equipment...
- Darren
1 PL West Nova Scotia Regiment 2000-2003
1 BN Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry 2003-2013
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I'll have to look at Blake's "Black Rifle" book which will have some photos of early Diemaco production. When I was an Armorer in 1985, we still had 1911A1 pistols on issue. The Company Commander's pistol had a 1916 serial number although obviously rebuilt countless times including once by me! The old Colt and Brownings served well and many are still serving. Our 80mm mortar tubes were so thin they were worrisome to me but the Weapons Platoon soldiers never had any problems with them. I always thought that they were WWII or Korea vintage but could be wrong. They were sure happy to see brand spanking new 60mm mortars that arrived while I was there. Much lighter too! We had the first production, skeleton butt M249 SAW's too as made in Belgium. They had some problems that have been worked out since as it was also heavily product improved. The M60 GPMG's were all tired, worn out and problematic. The best thing the Army ever did was finally adopt the MAG/L7/CG GPMG. They were in service as tank guns when I was there but not for Infantry. FN built a factory in Columbia, SC about 1.5 hrs from here called FNMI specifically for their manufacture in 1986 if memory serves. I'd guess they never looked back once they got them. Fine weapons they are. I have a post sample MAG2A/L7A2 and an M240 and enjoy doing demos with them from time to time.
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Canadian C7 & American M16A2
.....It also has a brass deflector in the upper receiver forging. Did the lower receivers of the early Diemaco C7 rifles have the reinforced lower receiver where the buffer tube screws in? That was incorporated into all standard M16A2 production. The M16A2 adjustable rear sight was a USMC requirement and not required by the
Canadian Forces or the U.S. Army although the
USA signed on to them too......
Yes - the C7 has the reinforced upper... Correction Lower.
The mags were Thermolds.
Here is a "close but not exact" upper I received from an Israeli issued [M16A1] upper I obtained. The tear drop FA [I believe] is not correct for the C7.
Attachment 68363
Last edited by CODFan; 12-30-2015 at 02:26 PM.
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I just wanted to add one more comment on the barrel profile of the C7.
The initial C7 barrel was a standard A2 government profile, cold hammer forged, 1/7 twist and chrome lined.
Later, all Diemaco made barrels were Hammer Forged Heavy barrels.
The pencil barrel image is of the Israeli M16A1 with the replacement C7 style upper receiver.
As true Diemaco C7 uppers are unobtainium, this is close enough for my clone
Last edited by CODFan; 12-31-2015 at 09:48 AM.
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Originally Posted by
CODFan
As true Diemaco C7 uppers are unobtainium
I did have one. But that was way back in the beginning...they are out there in a distinctly rare quantity. Yes, we had the round forward assists.
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