Colt Canada lightens rifle weight for soldiers and police
- Thread starter Thomas D'Arcy McGee
- Start date
PitBull1973
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Would be interesting to see how much the civie version will be
It's not a machine gun, it's a rifle. I think the profile might even be thicker than the C9. When Canada was looking at the original C7 design someone in DND actually wanted an HBAR because they thought it would be great for accuracy. As I understand it Colt refused because they knew it was a terrible idea for an assault rifle.
The M16/C7 has had a light barrel profile under the hand guards for over 50 years and it works just fine. I've fired in excess of 1000rds out a C7 on more than a few training days and heat was never an issue except for the odd guy who had removed his heat shield.
I for one do not want a C8 that weighs more than a 20" barrelled C7. Soldiers are packing more gear than ever, they need equipment to become lighter, not heavier. Funny how they're claiming to lighten the rifle yet it stills weighs more than a C7A2.
Technically that's been done. The doing just isn't happening very quickly.
So you speak for all soldiers do you?
You want a heavy barrel but do you even realize how thin the FTHB barrel is under that stupid Simon sleeve? Granted it's behind the FSB where the extra weight really helps with heat absorption but still. The USMC found the 20" M16A4 to be three times more reliable than than the M4A1. With a regular old govmt profile barrel.
The SOF community are the ones asking for the heavier profiles due to the highly specialized nature of their work. They want a weapon that can be subjected to sustained FA fire for brief periods. Even with the heavier barrel they are asking it to perform a role that it was never intended nor designed for. Even the C9/M249 cannot maintain sustained FA fire for long. They just cannot handle the volume people want them to. Do you even know what's considered a high rate of fire for a light machine gun?
The US is switching over to the SOCOM profile has more to with politics than anything else. Battle of Wanat was nightmare situation where they were grossly outnumbered and nine US soldiers lost their lives. Some people like to blame the Chain of Command, others say soldiers died because the weapons quit performing. I think you'd be hard pressed to find any rifle that would have been able to put up with that kind of abuse.
FYI, 18 yrs and counting in the infantry reg force. But please continue to be condescending and tell me what the soldiers want.
Your certainly entitled to your opinion but don't try and piss on mine because you disagree. Ive never heard anyone in the combat arms say they want a thicker barrel. They may be out there but I'm sure that I can find just as many making the counter argument that lighter is the way to go.
The soldiers that I know don't like HBars. The No 1 complaint I was hearing was that a C8A3 felt like it weighed more than a C7. That was in fact my first introduction to them.
"How do you like that new C8? Looks bad*ss"
"You tell me" he said grumpily, as he handed it over. I was shocked at how heavy it was.
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Where did I say that exactly? Kind of a stretch heh?
Don't like it when people have an opinion other than yours?
Sure is friendly around here.
I think there are some Germans with light profiles barrels on their G36 that would gladly trade their service weapon for yours.
And I do know people in service that prefer an HBar. I'm sure you can find someone to take your anger out on in person.
Drifter Dave, your right, I over reacted. My apologies. I just took it that you were trying to speak on behalf of all soldiers. I'm sure there are guys who like the thicker barrel but that doesn't mean that it's ideal as general issue service rifle. I do like the fact that they lengthened the barrel to increase velocity but I would have made it a 15.7 with the original C8 pencil profile.
I just get worked up about stuff like this because it has an impact on me personally and it can greatly affect my abilities to perform my job. Unfortunately the people who have to use the rifle are often left out of the decision making process. Weapons techs have more input.
I just get worked up about stuff like this because it has an impact on me personally and it can greatly affect my abilities to perform my job. Unfortunately the people who have to use the rifle are often left out of the decision making process. Weapons techs have more input.
