

As the prototypes failed the Canadian military trials, the C7 was introduced with aluminum STANAG compliant magazines. The Canadian military initially ordered polymer STANAG compliant magazines for their C7s. Diemaco optimized the rifle for using 5.56×45mm NATO C77 cartridge L109 ball and the C78 cartridge longer L110 tracer projectiles by using a redesigned buffer assembly, thus making the M4-style extended feed ramps later introduced in the Colt M4 carbine unnecessary. Diemaco developed a different mounting system from Colt for the Canadian M203 grenade launcher variant for the C7 rifle family and the bolt and bolt carrier were produced from stronger materials. These features were introduced as the Canadians originally wished to use a heavy barrel profile instead of the M16A2 profile. Not so apparent is Diemaco's use of 1 in 178 mm (7 in) rifling twist hammer-forged chrome-lined barrel and chamber units with a slightly reducing bore diameter over the length of the rifling to increase longevity and accuracy. Elevation adjusting can be zeroed in 3.5 cm or 0.35 mrad increments at 100 m. The rear sight can be zeroed for windage in 2.8 cm or 0.28 mrad increments at 100 m, when used with a 502 mm (19.8 in) rifle length sight radius. C7 iron sights are normally zeroed with the normal use rear aperture sight at 300 m (330 yd) with SS109/ M855/C77 ammunition. The wing guards protected front sight was changed to a slimmer tapered round post of approximately 0.050 in (1.3 mm) diameter. A second larger approximately 0.200 in (5.1 mm) diameter aperture battle sight is used as a ghost ring for short range quick target engagement and during limited visibility. An approximately 0.070 in (1.8 mm) diameter aperture rear sight is used for normal firing situations for target distances up to 400 m (440 yd). The carrying handle and rear sight assembly on top of the Diemaco C7 receiver features the most noticeable external difference between American M16A2s and C7s.ĭiemaco C7s use a modified pre-M16A2 style two aperture L-type flip rear and front post iron sight line featuring two combat settings. For the furniture Diemaco chose Fiberlite nylon-reinforced polymer and detailed the furniture suitable for CRBN decontamination and cold weather use at −68 ☌ (−90 ☏). ĭiemaco changed the trapdoor in the buttstock to make for easier access to a small storage compartment inside the stock, and a 13 mm (0.5 in) spacer is available to adjust stock length and hence length of pull to user preference. The C7 also features the structural strengthening, spent case deflector, improved handguards, and longer stock developed for the M16A2. Like the M16A1 and M16A3, the C7 has both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire modes.
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The C7 series of firearms is driven by the same Stoner bolt and carrier gas system as the M16 series. The earliest C7s were manufactured by Colt for Canadian Forces as the Colt Model 715.

The C7 is much like earlier M16A1E1s, rather than final product M16A2s. A Canadian Forces liaison officer worked with the United States Marine Corps in the M16A1 Product Improvement Program and relayed information to Canada's Rifle Replacement Program Office.

The development of the C7 assault rifle paralleled that of the M16A2 by Colt. It has been utilized in various combat deployments by Canadian, British, Norwegian, Dutch, and Danish forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Mali.Ĭ7 A Canadian paratrooper with a C7 rifle, 1992 It is also the standard firearm of the Dutch air force (C8A1) and other specialist users within the Dutch and British militaries. Following trials, C8 variants are general issue firearms for the United Kingdom's Special Forces. The C7 and its variants have been adopted as the standard issue rifle by the militaries of Canada, Norway (special forces only), Denmark and the Netherlands. The Colt Canada C7 is a Canadian family of military rifles, manufactured by Colt Canada (formerly Diemaco prior to 2005), having similar design and function to the Colt M16A3. 550 m (600 yd) (with magnifying optical sight)
