Canada Rifle Association (D.C.R.A.) Target Rifle in 7.62x51mm, a conversion of the No. 4 rifle.

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This video discusses the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association (D.C.R.A.) Target Rifle (0:12) in 7.62x51mm, a conversion of the No. 4 rifle.

Here's a breakdown of the key points:

Origins and Conversion (0:20-1:34): The D.C.R.A. was formed in 1868 to support marksmanship (0:36). When the Canadian military switched from .303 British to 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition in the mid-1950s (0:47), the D.C.R.A. followed suit. Competitors had their No. 4 rifles converted by Canadian Arsenals Limited (1:23) at Long Branch, Toronto, by fitting a new barrel and extractor (1:34).
Conversion Marks and Customization (2:12-3:15): Converted D.C.R.A. rifles are identifiable by a conversion number and a technical inspection mark (2:27) appearing in three places: on the bolt handle, receiver, and under the rear handguard (2:33). Owners could customize their rifles with target sights (3:20), barrel bedding, and trigger modifications (4:01).
Featured Rifle and Its Owner (5:11-5:59): The video highlights a specific D.C.R.A. rifle (serial number 74L1110, conversion number 625) that belonged to Lieutenant Colonel John "Jack" Steel (5:19). Steel was a prominent competitive marksman between 1913 and 1948 (5:27), made 14 Bisley teams (5:33), and served as president of the D.C.R.A. (5:44), earning a place in their Hall of Fame (5:47). He passed away in 1965 (5:59).
 
dan belisle said:
I qualified with one of these back in, hmm, 69 or so as an army cadet. Quite a step up from the c7 22's we had before this. Next step up to qualify on was the FN's. - dan
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I didn't know the Cadet Corp was were qualifed on No4, 7.62 conversions. Makes sense though.
 
bearhunter said:
I didn't know the Cadet Corp was were qualifed on No4, 7.62 conversions. Makes sense though.
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Can't speak for all of them. Our commanding officer was a big proponent of teaching us kids to shoot properly and well though. Good guy. So he saw to it we got a chance to train and qualify on most of the small arms available back then. Lot of fun for a kid. - dan
 
dan belisle said:
I qualified with one of these back in, hmm, 69 or so as an army cadet. Quite a step up from the c7 22's we had before this. Next step up to qualify on was the FN's. - dan
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Interesting. I remember doing indoor shooting with the C7 in .22 when I was a reserve. They didn’t run very well at all but I suspect they had been fairly ‘clapped out’. I had shot the Lee in Navy Cadets previously - once I pulled the trigger I was hooked and it’s been a lifelong obsession since. I picked up an AIA Lee clone on 7.62 just last week.

I’ve got a C7 clone (PSA AR15A4) that I run a .22 conversion in for teaching the kiddos on our 30 acres… if it was still legal that is. It seems to have the odd malfunction by way of FTE, but is valuable in teaching remedial action drills.

Good memories.
 
JeffMan said:
Interesting. I remember doing indoor shooting with the C7 in .22 when I was a reserve. They didn’t run very well at all but I suspect they had been fairly ‘clapped out’. I had shot the Lee in Navy Cadets previously - once I pulled the trigger I was hooked and it’s been a lifelong obsession since. I picked up an AIA Lee clone on 7.62 just last week.

I’ve got a C7 clone (PSA AR15A4) that I run a .22 conversion in for teaching the kiddos on our 30 acres… if it was still legal that is. It seems to have the odd malfunction by way of FTE, but is valuable in teaching remedial action drills.

Good memories.
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Yes, the c7's we had were pretty beat up too. We only used them in the indoor range as well, during the winter. I always sort of wanted one, just because, but never saw one in decent shape for what I considered reasonable money. Ah well. I still have my Cooey 82 trainer. - dan
 
Most, not all of the C7s were ridden hard and put away wet, especially in the last few years.

I remember something about them looking for a replacement rifle for Cadets, because they were running out of parts to keep them functional.

Those single shot rifles had a lot of rounds put through them, were also used for drill, and then, without any TLC, put back onto the racks until next time.

I did a bunch of work on the rifles at our local branch when my stepson was going through the process. Too bad he didn't stick with it.

It did him a lot of good at the time.

The REME out of Chiliwack was concerned about some of the repairs, which entailed mostly replacing broken extractor springs/extractors, or the odd stock crack, from being dropped. I cleaned up the bedding in the ways on several which had langquished in the racks for years, other than for drill, so they would shoot better, and Cadets would feel more confident in getting good targets. Nothing I could do about the washed out throats.

He wasn't worried about the repairs failing, just the chain of procedures. It worked out well, and he was good about sending parts needed if he had them.

Several of the rifles were unserviceable due to wear and abuse, and sent back to Chilliwack to be torn down for spare parts, etc.

I got out of it after my stepson decided he had enough. Lost track of the program.
 
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I was a CIC Officer with our local Army Cadet Corps from '98 till 2013. We had 5 #7's on scale of issue. They were in very good condition and shot well. We were/are a small unit and did not have access to an indoor range. Use was limited to approved outdoor ranges. They were "recalled" to our support base in 09-10?? The Army Cadet program has changed a lot since my retirement. Not as many military skills being taught BUT still the best youth program in Canada (in my opinion!)
 
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Be good if people were clearer about the c no 7 Lee Enfield .22 trainer vs the C7 556 rifle.

But as neither of them have anything to do with the DCRA No 4 7.62 rifle I don't know why they would be posted about here.
 
Yes I did read all the posts and see how the trail of the conversation went....wildly off topic.....

and yes I do have quite a few DCRA rifles
 
bearhunter said:
Most, not all of the C7s were ridden hard and put away wet, especially in the last few years.

I remember something about them looking for a replacement rifle for Cadets, because they were running out of parts to keep them functional.

Those single shot rifles had a lot of rounds put through them, were also used for drill, and then, without any TLC, put back onto the racks until next time.

I did a bunch of work on the rifles at our local branch when my stepson was going through the process. Too bad he didn't stick with it.

It did him a lot of good at the time.

The REME out of Chiliwack was concerned about some of the repairs, which entailed mostly replacing broken extractor springs/extractors, or the odd stock crack, from being dropped. I cleaned up the bedding in the ways on several which had langquished in the racks for years, other than for drill, so they would shoot better, and Cadets would feel more confident in getting good targets. Nothing I could do about the washed out throats.

He wasn't worried about the repairs failing, just the chain of procedures. It worked out well, and he was good about sending parts needed if he had them.

Several of the rifles were unserviceable due to wear and abuse, and sent back to Chilliwack to be torn down for spare parts, etc.

I got out of it after my stepson decided he had enough. Lost track of the program.
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In the early 1990's there was the C10 prototype that was suppose to become the cadet replacement of the no 7, A full size C7 rifle chambered in 22LR. I don't know the story behind whey it never happened.
 
DBeato said:
In the early 1990's there was the C10 prototype that was suppose to become the cadet replacement of the no 7, A full size C7 rifle chambered in 22LR. I don't know the story behind whey it never happened.
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There were 22 LR conversion kits for C7's (and all M16/AR15 type rifles). I have one. Not the most accurate things though. - dan
 
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Thanks for sharing.

For the first time I see a picture of the complete Long branch facilities.

I recognize the Quais on the Etobicoke creek (Upper left), the administration building (lower right), and the water tower,these are the only three remaining today.
Today there are still remnants of a shooting range (the two buildings center right, closest to the beach), however the buildings are long gone
 
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DBeato said:
In the early 1990's there was the C10 prototype that was suppose to become the cadet replacement of the no 7, A full size C7 rifle chambered in 22LR. I don't know the story behind whey it never happened.
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my understanding was that this was cancelled as the C10 would have been a variant of the C7 and be deemed either prohibited or at least restricted and the government of the time didn't like the optics of 'training child soldiers' giving them 'weapons'

it was also around this time that the .22 C No 7 rifles were replaced with air rifles
 
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