c7/ar-15 cocking handle and mag release

Undergiver said:
To quote a Tech update:
U.S. issued items, such as RIS (Rail Interface System) handguards, or any other purchased weapon accessory are NOTauthorized for use on CF rifles or carbines.
Any such item found will be immediately removed from the weapon.The member may retain any such item as personal property, but itwill not be used or installed on CF Small Arms.
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Now that is funny. Where did you find it? You should forward that to the Hill and see what they have to say. Fact of the matter is that the RIS is Canadian issued kit, just not to regular joe blows like you and I.
 
tps50701 said:
Wonder if I ever met him? He probably was a junior NCO when I was in. There were some real special cases when I was in. My cousin was a 421 as well - he had 18 years in, vs. my 14.

Sounds like a few idiots are still in the trade! Had my share.

Like the time one moron set a Cougar on fire checking the recuperator with his lighter instead of a flashlight.
Another time I just caught one idiot cocking a .50 without the back plate on, boy did he look funny with a bandage on his head and a fresh set of RTU papers in his hands(safety infraction and failure to follow CFTO's).

Ah, wonders never cease to amaze me! I don't miss the CF one bit nowdays with all it's junior generals, 14 years was enough for me.

Cheers.
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LOL Poor Bailey LOL
 
Can someone please provide a close up pic of these "ambidextrous" charging handles and mag releases?

I am:

(a) Confused as to how the previous charging handle was NOT ambidextrous? (It was a delicate piece of crap, and I broke 2 while in the militia, but, it is just an AR, after all...); and,

(b) Surprised, but not shocked, that the CF could screw the poodle rifle up any more than they already did back in the 1990's.

(Tongue only partly in cheek).

Thanks,

Neal
 
Leg said:
Now that is funny. Where did you find it? You should forward that to the Hill and see what they have to say. Fact of the matter is that the RIS is Canadian issued kit, just not to regular joe blows like you and I.
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it's from a very reliable source
 
New one has a large protrusion on the left side that allows it to be easily gripped by a lefty, it's like a springloaded extension. If I had the cable to connect my phone to a laptop I'd send you a picture. I hated it at first but have gotten used to it now that I try to do all movements with the left hand - but it does snag on everything.

The ambi mag catch, hate it. I nearly lost a mag a couple of nights ago because of that stupid thing. Someone I shot PWT 3 with today bumped the rifle against his tac vest during the run down and lost a nearly full mag...

nelly said:
Can someone please provide a close up pic of these "ambidextrous" charging handles and mag releases?

I am:

(a) Confused as to how the previous charging handle was NOT ambidextrous? (It was a delicate piece of crap, and I broke 2 while in the militia, but, it is just an AR, after all...); and,

(b) Surprised, but not shocked, that the CF could screw the poodle rifle up any more than they already did back in the 1990's.

(Tongue only partly in cheek).

Thanks,

Neal
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Actually, the extra length on the left hand side of the new cocking handle is supposed to make it easier for right-handed shooters to grab. It's "ambidextrous" because of the piece that loops around the back, to the right hand side. It's designed so that a left handed shooter can grab the cocking handle with their thumb & forefinger and #### it without removing their hand from the pistol grip.
The reason it's used now, and the old cocking handle is not considered ambidextrous, is that the CF has changed the way it instructs firearm handling. With the new "gunfighter" program, an emphasis is placed on using your trigger hand to control the gun, and never removing that hand from the pistol grip. Since it's awkward to reach over the gun with your right hand to #### it, they redesigned the cocking handle & mag release.

Here's a picture of the cocking handle, courtesy of AbHobbyist.

gun.jpg
 
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FYI the RAS Both M4 and M5 are in CF service with Soldier Systems and the Force Mod cell in Ft Benning - and they put them on all units guns doing stuff down there -- they are CF owned and issued.

Someone needs to tell the LCMM SA to STFU and get off his TRIAD-I stupid High Horse
 
Didn't the PPCLI get issued the RAS or RIS for one of their deployments a couple of years back? A long term field evaluation of sorts?
 
Okay, just to put this to rest a little bit, here are some pics of my A2 here in KAF taken today 25 July 2008. As I said in my previous post it depends on the commander here at the time. When we first got here only the issued pistol holster could be worn, now any military style can be worn.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/shotgun_fan/SANY0380.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/shotgun_fan/SANY0381.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/shotgun_fan/SANY0382.jpg



Note I do not have the ambi cocking handle or the Elcan and what is that?!?!? An iron sight? no problems with weapons techs either, or higher ups. Oh and those quadrails aren't issued either.
 
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Thanks for the pics, folks.

If I'm reading things right, the CF have come full circle back to where we were with the C1: "Left hand operated, right hand fired" - ie: operating the action with the left hand, keeping the right hand on the grip.

Pity that that new cocking handle extension looks awfully delicate, and as a few of you have said: just slightly prone to catch on things! I have my doubts that you could use it to "kick start" a hard extraction, like you could with the C1's cocking handle, neither!

;)

Neal
 
Deckard said:
As a lefty, I pinch grip the charger with my left hand and release the bolt latch with my trigger finger. What do you lefties do?
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I am right handed, but left eye dominant, so I shoot like a lefty.

I keep my left hand on the pistol grip. I use my trigger finger for the ambi mag-release, and my left thumb for the safety. Everything else I do with my right hand. I pinch the cocking handle with my right thumb & forefinger, and I don't use the bolt catch, ever.
 
Director Soldier Systems Program Management (DSSPM) puts out Tech Updates for the weapons techs of the CF.

The A2 Ambi cocking handles should all have the tech update done on them (#64) to have the solid pin in the hinge not the split pin which is prone to failure with the extra stress put on it by modern drills and a longer latch handle. If yours has the split pin, ask to have it updated. You can not get authority to swap something else on but you may get away with it if no one knows better or does not care. Your call.

Update #42
A new Ambidextrous Magazine Catch for the C7A2 Rifle is now available and Units holding C7A2 rifles are to order Qty 1 per rifle held. The new catch has a laser engraved fig 1 on the front face of the catch body. The new magazine catch has changed dimensions to better engage the rifle magazine.
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Leg is absolutly right about being on shakey ground with swapping out parts etc. Weapons techs do not have the authority to do mods that are contrary to what is in the CF technical manuals (Thus the tech update reminder not to do so). If your chain of command allows you get away with minor, non-permanent mods that improve performance great. They do so accepting the responsibility of the consequences. As people have stated, charges have been laid for it (very rarely). No body is getting thrown in jail or thrown out of the CF for swapping a cocking handle, read into that what you will.:cool:;)

You would be ill advised to confuse what happens in CANSOF with the rest of the CF. Apples and oranges. Just because "they" do something does not mean precedent is set for the big army to get away with something. If they need waivers or authority to do something for a reason they get it. If they need kit to do a job they can make off the shelf buys.

Some stuff the big army gets (like the Knights RIS I had on my C8, issued by my unit) was a commercial off the shelf (COTS) purchase. Yes it is issued but it is not "in the system." Same goes for the rifles like the C7CT, AR10T, C8CQB they are bought under Immediate Operational Requirements or COTS by units authorized to do so. Just because they have a NATO Stock Number and came from the QM does not mean someone else in another unit can just order one up or get parts to swap as needed.

I would add that swapping parts from weapon system to system (like C7A1s and A2s) is also verboten. Got away with something on tour? Great, its still contrary to regs, you do so accepting the risk FWIW. Its a risk I've accepted many times ;)
 
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