C7A1 Assault Rifle

Overview

C7A1 Assault Rifle
General Information
Type	Assault Rifle
Place of Origin	Canada
Designer Companies	Diemaco
Period Designed	1992
Manufacturer	Diemaco (1992 - 2005) Colt Canada (After 2005)
Period Produced	1992 - 2010
Number Built	200,000+
Developed From	C7 Assault Rifle (Chassis)
Developed Into	C7A2 Assault Rifle C7A1 Light Support Weapon See variants
In Service	1992 - 2010s (Military usage) 2010s - Present (Police usage)
Characteristics
Cartridge	5.56x45mm
RoF, Cyclic	800rpm
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt, direct impingement
Firemodes	Safe, semi, automatic
Feed System	Detachable box magazine
Ammunition Loading	5.56x45mm STANAG magazines: • USGI M16 Mag.: 20-rnd • USGI M16 Mag.: 30-rnd • (More)
Dimensions
Weight	3.3kg (empty w/o magazine) 3.9kg (loaded)
Barrel Length	508mm
Length	1,020mm
Components
Lower Receiver	Full fence
Attachments
Bayonet	Bayonet lug
Stock
Stock Type	Fixed
Sights
Sights	ELCAN C79
Universal Attachments
Rail Type	MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail

The C7A1 Assault Rifle is a Canadian assault rifle developed from the previously in-service C7 Assault Rifle, in the early 1990s.

As the earlier C7 Assault Rifle was simply a Canadian-licensed and produced Colt 715, the C7A1 model would feature improvements and additions specifically requested by the Canadian Armed Forces.

Despite being replaced in Canadian service by the further improved upon C7A2 Assault Rifle, the C7A1 still remains in storage, and more recently, models have been reserved for training purposes, police forces, and for reserve forces.

Development

Following the adoption of the Colt 715 in Canadian service, dubbed as the C7 Assault Rifle in 1982, the C7 would have virtually no difference from the original American-produced Colt 715 models. In order to modernize, the Canadian government would issue a mandate for their new service rifle requirements to Diemaco, a now defunct company, succussed by Colt Canada.

The basis of what would become the C7A1 would begin around 1992, when the new updated model would be set into production, and would replace the ageing C7 model. The newer C7A1, as compared to the C7, would feature new green-colored furniture, and a three-way clamp rail positioned under the front sight for possible attachments to be mounted onto the rifle. Another change would be made to the rifle, opting for a detachable, or flat upper receiver, instead of a mounted carry-handle that most AR-15-platform firearms have.

Another Canadian company, ELCAN, would be contracted to produce the C79 optic, which would become standard issue alongside the new C7A1 assault rifle.

Despite being a serviceable firearm, and remaining in-service for at least eight years, a further development would be created, known as the C7A2 Assault Rifle, which further modernizes the platform. Most notably, by adding a telescoping stock.

More recently, the C7A1 still has seen usage as a training rifle for the Canadian Army, and has also been issued to certain Canadian police forces.

Design

Although the Canadian government issued for multiple changes to be completed, the C7A1 still heavily resembles it's American counterpart, the M16A2 Assault Rifle, albeit with slight modification.

The well-known green furniture coloring was chosen to match the domestic Canadian landscape, as well as matching with Canadian Armed Forces uniforms at the time. However, versions produced in standard black furniture also exist, a change that would not crossover into the further improved C7A2 series of rifles.

Variants

C7 Assault Rifle Standard model from 1982. Based on the Colt 715. C7A1 Assault Rifle — C7FT Updated model from 1990s. Features a picatinny rail for use with optics. C7A2 Assault Rifle Updated model from the 2000s. Features new furniture and other improvements. C7 Light Support Weapon Light machine gun model. Based on the Colt 750. C7A1 Light Support Weapon Updated light machine gun model. C7CT Marksman Rifle Marksman variant of the C7 assault rifle. C8 Carbine Carbine model. Based on the Colt 725. C8 CQB Carbine model, shorter barrel than the C8 Carbine. C8A1 Carbine — C8FT Carbine model. C8A2 Carbine Updated C8A1. C8A3 Carbine Further updated C8A1. C8CT Marksman Rifle Marksman variant of the C8 carbine. C8 Integrated Upper Receiver — C8IUR Model with 'Integrated Upper Receiver'. C8 Special Forces Weapon — C8SFW Model for special forces. C10 Training Rifle Model chambered in .22 LR for training purposes. Export C7NLD Assault Rifle C7/C7A1 modernization for the Netherlands. C8NLD Carbine C8/C8A1 modernization for the Netherlands. GV M/10 C7A1/C8A1 modernization for Denmark. LOAWNLD LOAW modernization for the Netherlands.

Gallery

Canadian Military Policeman with C7A1 assault rifle, pictured during joint-training exercise, South Dakota, USA.

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