C7a2 Refurb process?

I saw my original C7 at Diemaco when it was in for refurb. The only thing that was left was the lower receiver. Everything else had gone into a scrap heap.

This was of course a rifle that had been manufactured when there was ONLY the C7, no A1 or A2. She was a carry handle upper with fixed stock and it had at least two or three millimeters of lateral play between upper and lower receivers. I can still remember the serial number 87AA13766.
 
The reason I ask is we've recently got some A2s in and some of the lowers looked fairly ratty. Scratched anodizing on the lowers and generally lots of wear; a large variety of shades between the lowers.

The uppers looked better but showed some wear. Brass marks on the deflectors mostly. The barrels looked decent though, fresh parkerizing there and on the FSB. If I had to guess I'd say they replaced the barrels (at least I hope they did :p ) and put on some new furniture. Bolt are incoming yet so hopefully they look decent! :p
 
All the bolts are brand new. The ones I unpacked in meaford in July 2009 all had serial numbers starting with 97AA. The new c79a2 sights were nice to have for a change also.
 
My C7A2 in Gagetown was 87AA###xx. Seems a weapons tech just pieced it together... Put a collapsible stock on, tri-rail, ghey charging handle, and green furniture. The sight was a standard C79 except it was green and had "C7A2" stamped on it. Barrel and bolt carriers had most the finish worn off.

I'd almost prefer a C7A1 honestly. But the tank killing bayonet is a definite bonus for looking cool.

Maybe they just figured Chimo's didn't need fancy gat's.
 
When we got ours back from the factory in '04 (or was it '05?) the only thing they did to the lower was install the new receiver extension, buttstock and stamp A2 on it. They were not refinished. Barrels and bolts were, or at least appeared to be, new. Not sure if the uppers were new or simply had new barrels installed in them. Scopes were the same ones but with the green cover and the updated A2 base installed.
 
I had a C7A2 bolt have the bolt locking lugs shear off on me during firing once. Took it apart and there was a blue extractor insert inside. This thing was ancient.
 
When you guys are referring to new bolts, do you literally mean the bolts (which would make sense) or the complete bolt carrier assembly (which would not make sense IMHO and the carrier should be re-usable most of the time).

A lower is a lower, so unless the pin holes are egged out, finish nicks, dings and wear should be irrelevant to proper function.

Finally, for stocks, I have ZERO idea why the CF stays with the M4A1 buttstock. Let's enter the 21st century and at least fit the modern 6-pos butt.
 
They appear to have replaced the entire bolt group, unnecessary I agree. I personally see no advantage to the M4 buttstock over the older style. Now if you were talking about something like the Vltor IMOD where you gain storage then I could see it. Think the new buffer tubes are 4 pos? Can't remember offhand, I only use the first notch with armour or fully extended without.
 
My unit recently (we're a Reserve unit) had most of our ancient C7A1's replaced by the A2's and as far as I can tell, the uppers are brand new matched to old lowers.
 
We had a 'brand new' A2 show up to 1VP in '04 with a shot out barrel...

From my understanding the 'Mid Life Upgrade" was the best attempt within a non budgeted item.

All parts that where seemingly serviceable where kept and the new parts as needed where added.
When the new stock was added they stamped A2 after C7.

Any C7A1 in service thus just got green furniture, a TRIAD-1, the 4 posn Green Stock, the Ambo Mag release, and the C7A2.

C7's in service got a new (or reusedC7A1 upper) with the lower items, and the upper was tossed or the barrel pulled if it was deemed serviceable (my guess headspaced and a barrel straitness guage tossed down it -- time to borescope was probably not in the cards --Dutchie?

I hate the C7A2, but while I disagree with then CWO Crocker on many items, he really did not have any options, and in body armor the 4 position stock was a huge improvement than the A2 (M16A2) or CS stock lengths in inventory.
 
I'm not trying to re-open closets long since closed ;)

I think the C7 was the ideal weapon at the time. The C7A1 was revolutionary as well, I think what was lost was the training of the rifleman, and several senior Land officers saw optics as a way to replace training ammuntion.

The CF never budgeted properly for weapon usage in FYR let alone for a shooting war in Afghanistan, and the optics (STANO) folks did not want to pay for a rail (be it KAC, DD etc) and the gun folks did not have the money.

As far as C77 ball goes, its the best SS109 ammuntion available today. Better 5.56mm ammunition exists.

I would not want to replace 5.56mm with 7.62mm NATO across the board anyway. I think the Section SharpShooter concept (note I did not say Squad DMR) is best handled by 7.62mm, but not for everyone (without a total arms room concept that would bankrupt non Tier1 SOF entities budgets)
 
I got a prototype C8 style a couple of weeks ago from Colt. The upper and lower were new but the barrel and BCG where definatley recycled C7 parts. Heavily used and still had the diemaco "D"on it. The barrel was chopped to a weird size (10.8 I think) with an aimpoint and magnifier. Those came off quick and a 552 was thrown on, way better for 100m and less (ERT). Weird where you find these old C7 parts.
 
Grunt21 said:
I had a C7A2 bolt have the bolt locking lugs shear off on me during firing once. Took it apart and there was a blue extractor insert inside. This thing was ancient.
Click to expand...

It may also have bypassed the A2 program. We have a box half full of A2 bolts and half full of A1 bolts. But they will never get mixed up............... never.
 
I've been issued a 97AA0###x 08AA0###x. So some are only a few years old, then theres a load of rebuilds. Also is it just me, or do you have to re-tighten the Elcan everyday? That thing just doesn't want to stay attached to the rifle.
 
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