Colt Canada C8A1 Carbine and Diemaco C-8 Series Assault Rifle By B Coy

This is the same thing to the Diemaco C-7 Assault Rifle that the M-4 Carbine is to the M-16A2: a shorter version of the Diemaco C-7 Assault Rifle , with a collapsible stock and shorter 14.2-inch barrel and appropriate handguards. The Danish also bought a quantity of the C-8 and C-8A1. The Dutch Marines and Special Forces also use the C-8, but they use the C-8A1 version (which they call the M-96 Karbine). The Dutch have actually been using the C-8A1 Assault Rifle for some time, but the Canadian military has not adopted it until recently. The British SAS is also known to make some use of the C-8A1; theirs are typically fitted with a Heckler & Koch AG-36 grenade launcher under the barrel. Like the C-7 series, most versions can be had with 3-round burst settings or full-automatic settings.

The general consensus of the company was that all infantrymen should carry the 16-inch barrel (as in the
United States Army). The third rifle carried by B Coy was the older C8A1Assault Rifle. Mounting an even shorter 14.5-inch barrel, the C8A1 Assault Rifle was predominately carried by LAV III drivers, who required a short rifle for mounting and dismounting vehicles in an emergency. The C8A1s (along with the new 16inch upper receiver) mounted the Weaver flattop rail on the upper receiver (same as the C7A2). This allowed for the same sighting systems to be mounted on all three rifles (as discussed below).

Although Canadian small arms have advanced tremendously in the last few years, one last hurdle remains. Suppressing all small arm systems, from 5.56 mm to 7.62 mm, should be the next major priority for
infantry weapon systems. Currently, firing both rifles and machine guns produces an enormous amount of blast
and sound. Such fire, while saying nothing of deafening the operator (especially in complex terrain), also clearly gives away the position of the shooter and his weapon.

Colt Canada C8A1 Carbine

While an infantryman can remain nearly invisible at night (fighting in the thermal or IR spectrum), as soon as he
starts firing, the muzzle blast will quickly draw the attention of the enemy (and undoubtedly counter-fire).
Suppression systems exist today that can be quickly attached to various barrels, making the weapon both
harder to locate during engagements and preserve the shooter’s hearing.

Colt Canada C8A1 Carbine

The utility of such as system was proven in Afghanistan with the C7 custom tactical (C7 CT) 5.56 mm silenced rifle. Although adding six inches to the overall length of the rifle (although shorter silencers are
available), B Coy was clearly impressed by the numerous advantages silenced weapons offer. Easy to mount, the modern silencer can remain within the soldier’s pack, added or removed dependent upon the mission. Such an inexpensive system would greatly increase the capability of Canadian infantryman and should be purchased immediately in mass.

With respect to section support weapons, the C9A2 was equally refurbished, sporting a shorter barrel, rail interface system, and telescopic butt. This balanced the machine gun’s enormous firepower into a more wieldier weapon system. Although the telescopic butt and shorter barrel allowed for better manoeuvrability in complex terrain, gunners could also revert back to the 20-inch barrel within seconds when longer range fire was required (B Coy gunners always carried both barrels). The rail interface system permitted the mounting of both the PAQ laser and SureFire light, giving gunners equal capability to equivalent riflemen.