Are C8a3 and SA15.7 supposed to have different barrel lengths or C8A3 supposed to have a 14.5” barrel? I’m trying to stick the bayonet on it and the ring doesn’t sit right at the base of the flash hider as it does on my 14.5” M4. I have both a Nella and the modern German made Eickorn Solingen bayonet and both seem to be of the wrong length for the SA15.7.
C8A3 vs SA 15.7 barrel length
- Thread starter MellyVinelli
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r34skyline
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Unless I am mistaken the c8a3 along with the c8 sfw are both 15.7 inches. Along with your sa15.7
Edit: measured a spare a3 barrel. 15.7 inches confirmed for barrel. Same length as sfw and fthb according to the gun plumber.
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C8A3 and SA15.7 both have 15.7” barrel. That’s why the Simon Sleeve exists (that and attaching the Diemaco version of the M203). It ensures that the barrel is the right diameter for the bayonet. It’s going to be just over an inch back from the rear of the flash suppressor.
Bayonets almost always rattle due to the loose tolerances required for rapid fixing (mounting) and un-fixing (dismounting) of the blade on the rifle/carbine. That rattle of fixed bayonets can be put to good use for intimidating unruly crowds. I recall when we conducted anti-riot training for Aide-of-the-Civil-power operations in the Regular Force Infantry (PPCLI) back in the late 1980s and 1990s we would incorporate a slap of the FNC1A1 (later C7) Handguards every time the Left foot hit the pavement during the formation advance with bayonets fixed. The resultaing metallic rattle of the bayonets was quite loud and tended to cut through the din of the riot to good effect. Such noises tend to focus the attention of those liable to be on the receiving end of "cold steel"!!
There is still very good reason for bayonets on rifles and carbines wielded by the Combat Arms. And not just for riot or POW escort duties. I personally saw soldiers fix bayonets while manoeuvring through heavy-growth grape fields under fire, or while clearing through objectives with suspected enemy combattants, as recently as my last tour of Afghanistan in 2008. Not sure if it is still SOP as part of Offensive Battle Drills to fix bayonets and change magazines just prior to the Assault, but it always made good sense to me. Far better to have a stab-capable "lance" than a "club" in your hands, should you suddenly encounter an enemy combattant at close range while reloading, eh? Bayonets continue to serve a multitude of useful purposes outside of their primary role in close combat. Besides all of that, they scare the living sh#t out of the enemy, all of whom are far more terrified of being put to the blade than the bullet. Bayonets truly are a terrific close-combat-multiplier. Great stuff!
There is still very good reason for bayonets on rifles and carbines wielded by the Combat Arms. And not just for riot or POW escort duties. I personally saw soldiers fix bayonets while manoeuvring through heavy-growth grape fields under fire, or while clearing through objectives with suspected enemy combattants, as recently as my last tour of Afghanistan in 2008. Not sure if it is still SOP as part of Offensive Battle Drills to fix bayonets and change magazines just prior to the Assault, but it always made good sense to me. Far better to have a stab-capable "lance" than a "club" in your hands, should you suddenly encounter an enemy combattant at close range while reloading, eh? Bayonets continue to serve a multitude of useful purposes outside of their primary role in close combat. Besides all of that, they scare the living sh#t out of the enemy, all of whom are far more terrified of being put to the blade than the bullet. Bayonets truly are a terrific close-combat-multiplier. Great stuff!
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The clip on the M203A1 mount is for the diameter of the C7 barrel behind gas block, and the diameter behind gas block is more than the diameter of the barrel under the gas block itself. Obviously, it is impossible to slide the gas block over the barrel during manufacturing if the barrel dia. in front of the gas block is more than the gas block inner dia. itself. The only way to make it work is to make a sleeve to slide over the barrel after the gas block is installed.
Think of the time line, M203A1 predated the SAS C8 SFW. The SAS C8 SFW predated C8A3, but the UK did not buy the Diemaco M203A1. They picked the HK GL, almost 20 years ago. Obviously, as an arms manufacturer it always wanted to sell carbine and GL as a system.....but we all know why the M203A1 mounting system is not liked by many. My guess is, the sleeve system was devised by Diemaco to sell C8 and off the shelf M203A1 for the SAS tender many years ago. The SAS liked the C8 but did not care for the M203A1.
So fast forward a bit in early 2000, the CF wanted to issue carbines. Now, infantry battalions are mostly C7, but the carbines were issued to some people....and M203A1 must be mourned to both C7 and C8. So changing the little clip on all M203A1 is out of question. So Diemaco just presented the obvious solution they invented years ago
It is not dissimilar to the story of M4 carbine. There is no budget allocated to change the mounting of M203, so they did the "iconic" cut around the barrel so the old M203 mount can be used. And back then the main stay was the M16A2.
