Colt Canada C19

Last updated
Colt Canada C19
Type Bolt action rifle
Place of originCanada
Service history
In service2018
Used byCanada
Production history
Designer SAKO
Manufacturer Colt Canada
Unit costCA$2,500
Produced2016–2018
No. built6,500 (2016)
Specifications
Mass4.0 kg (8.8 lb)
Length102.0 cm (40.2 in)
Barrel  length51.0 cm (20.1 in)

Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO
.308 Winchester
Action bolt action; two locking lug T3
Rate of fire 30 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 790 m/s (2,600 ft/s)
Effective firing range100–600 m (109–656 yd) sight adjustments
Maximum firing range600 m (656 yd) [1]
Feed system10-round detachable box magazine
SightsRear: rotating diopter drum; front: hooded post quick acquisition iron sights [2] [3]

The Colt Canada C19 is a licence-built, Finnish-designed Tikka T3 CTR bolt-action rifle modified for the Canadian Rangers. The C19 replaced the longer and heavier Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk.1 rifles which entered service in 1947.

Contents

After testing different submissions from rifle manufacturers, the C19 was selected as the winner of a Canadian military procurement program requesting a new bolt-action rifle with iron sights and a detachable 10-round box magazine and other requirements. [4] The procurement program stipulated the rifles had to be produced by a Canadian manufacturer and could not be totally identical to commercial rifles. According to SAKO, production commenced in mid-2016, with rifle trials into 2017 and the full complement are expected to be delivered by the end of 2019.[ needs update ]

The rifles are mainly used for self-defence against large North American carnivores, including polar bears, and for personal survival as regional surveillance missions are often conducted for extended periods in remote areas, requiring the Rangers to hunt for food.

Design details

To meet the requirements, the C19 has the following modifications from the original Tikka T3 CTR: [5]

Further the rifles are expected to operate in temperatures ranging from −51 to 39 °C (−60 to 102 °F) with moderate to high humidity and be resistant to corrosion from long-term exposure to salt laden air and water.

The receiver top has a NATO Accessory Rail for mounting accessories like aiming elements or optics. The free-floating, hammer-forged threaded barrel, receiver, bolt, bolt handle and other critical components are made of stainless steel. The buttstock is manufactured from plywood laminates. Such engineered woods are stronger and resist warping better than the conventional one-piece patterns, do not require lengthy maturing, and are cheaper. Further the buttstock can be lengthened by adding spacers.

The 10-round double-stack detachable box magazines have a rubber protector added at the bottoms.

The Colt C19 is equipped with iron sights that consist of a rear sight element mounted on the rear receiver containing a rotary drum protected by sturdy "ears" and a semi-hooded front post mechanically adjustable for elevation with a screwdriver. The rear sight is mechanically adjustable for both windage, with a screwdriver, and elevation with a rotary drum featuring six apertures at different heights calibrated for 100–600 m (109–656 yd) in 100 m (109 yd) increments. The different rear aperture heights can be selected with gloved hands and are tuned to closely match the ballistic trajectory of the issued rifle–cartridge combination with a predefined projectile weight/type, muzzle velocity and air density. Rifle aperture sights for military combat or hunting arms like the C19 are not designed for maximal attainable precision like target aperture sights, as these must be usable under suboptimal field conditions. [6] The issued iron sights can be supplemented with aiming optics mounted to the rail section on the top of the receiver. The Canadian Armed Forces have not issued a requirement for optical weapon sights for these rifles, thus the choice of whether and which aiming optics are desired will remain the preserve of individual Rangers.

The C19 is capable of chambering not only in-service 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition such as the Ball C21 147-grain (9.5 g) and proprietary C180 designated hunting ammunition issued to the Canadian Rangers, but also commercially available .308 Winchester ammunition as the Canadian Rangers are allowed to use their issued rifles for private hunting. The C180 ammunition is assembled by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Quebec by pairing Nosler Accubond 180 gr (11.7 g) hunting bullets usable for a wide variety of North American big game with Canadian Forces' match (sniper) brass cartridge cases. [7] The C180 ammunition would be legally compliant for use as a last resort protection against polar bears on Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. [8]

The C19 rifle is being supplied with a soft transport case, Pelican hard transport case, cleaning kit, sling, and trigger lock.

Tikka T3x Arctic civilian version

In 2017 Tikka introduced the Tikka T3x Arctic model in their regular commercial line, which is the civilian version of the Colt C19. Tikka T3x Arctic rifles lack the crest of the Canadian Rangers depicted on the stocks of C-19 service rifles. They are also more orange in colour than the red of the service rifle. The T3x also comes with the commercial version bolt shroud and cocking piece, lacks the multi-position QD sling loops of the C-19. Rather being fitted with Uncle Mikes mounting studs on the underside. [9] [10] [11]

The commercial Tikka T3x Arctic iron sight line was revised during production. The first generation had a round front post and six 100–600 m (109–656 yd) rear sight apertures, of which the 100 m (109 yd) setting was a larger diameter aperture aiding quick acquisition, and low light capability. The second generation has a squared (rectangular) front post and six 0–500 m (0–547 yd) rear sight apertures.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AK-74</span> 1974 Soviet 5.45×39mm assault rifle

The AK-74 is an assault rifle designed by small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1974. While primarily associated with the Soviet Union, it has been used by many countries since the 1970s. It is chambered for the 5.45×39mm cartridge, which replaced the 7.62×39mm cartridge of Kalashnikov's earlier automatic weapons for the Soviet armed forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colt AR-15</span> Semi-automatic rifle

The Colt AR-15 is a lightweight, magazine-fed, gas-operated semi-automatic rifle. It is a semi-automatic version of the M16 rifle sold for the civilian and law enforcement markets in the United States. The AR in AR-15 stands for ArmaLite rifle, after the company that developed it in the 1950s. Colt's Manufacturing Company currently owns the AR-15 trademark, which is used exclusively for its line of semi-automatic AR-15 rifles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee–Enfield</span> Bolt-action rifle

The Lee–Enfield is a bolt-action, magazine-fed repeating rifle that served as the main firearm of the military forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth during the first half of the 20th century, and was the standard service rifle of the British Armed Forces from its official adoption in 1895 until 1957.

The Colt Canada C7 and C8 are a Canadian family of service rifles, manufactured by Colt Canada, having similar design and function to the Colt M16A3.

The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International. It has proved popular as a civilian, police, and military rifle since its introduction in the 1980s. The rifles have some features that improve performance in very cold conditions without impairing operation in less extreme conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">.308 Winchester</span> Rimless, centerfire, bottlenecked rifle cartridge

The .308 Winchester is a smokeless powder rimless bottlenecked rifle cartridge widely used for hunting, target shooting, police, military, and personal protection applications globally. It is similar, but not identical, to the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SAKO</span> Finnish firearm manufacturer

SAKO, Limited is a Finnish firearm and ammunition manufacturer located in Riihimäki, Tavastia Proper in southern Finland. It also has owned the Tikka brand of bolt-action rifles since 1983, and is now owned by the Italian firearm holding company Beretta Holding.

The Sturmgewehr 57 is a selective fire battle rifle designed by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft of Switzerland. The Stgw. 57 assault rifle uses a roller-delayed blowback system similar to the blowback system of the Heckler & Koch G3 and CETME rifles. As an assault rifle, the model AM 55 entered service in the Swiss Army in three designations F. ass. 57 7.5mm and 7.5mm Stgw. 57. Technologically, the Stgw. 57 was the mechanical and design basis for the export-variations of the SG 510 family of small arms. After thirty-three years, from 1957 to 1990, the Swiss Army replaced the Stgw. 57 with the SIG SG 550, a lighter-weight assault rifle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Rangers</span> Specialized northern-oriented element of the Canadian Army

The Canadian Rangers are a sub-component of the Canadian Army under the Canadian Armed Forces reserves that provides a limited military presence in regions of Canada where stationing conventional Army units would not be practical or economically viable. Formally established on May 23, 1947, the Canadian Rangers employs around 5,000 Rangers.

The Karabiner Modell 1931 is a magazine-fed, straight-pull bolt-action rifle. It was the standard issue rifle of the Swiss armed forces from 1933 until 1958 though examples remained in service into the 1970s. It has a 6-round removable magazine, and is chambered for the 7.5×55mm Swiss Gewehrpatrone 1911 or GP 11, a cartridge with ballistic qualities similar to the 7.62×51mm NATO/.308 Winchester cartridge. Each rifle included a 6-round detachable box magazine with matching stamped serial number. A stripper clip can be used to load the magazine from the top of the receiver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zastava M76</span> Designated marksman rifle

The Zastava M76 is a military semi-automatic designated marksman rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M1917 Enfield</span> Bolt-action rifle

The M1917 Enfield, the "American Enfield", formally named "United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917" is an American modification and production of the .303-inch Pattern 1914 Enfield (P14) rifle, which was developed and manufactured during the period 1917–1918. Numerically, it was the main rifle used by the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. The Danish Sirius Dog Sled Patrol on Greenland still use the M1917, which performs reliably in Arctic conditions, as their service weapon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ArmaLite AR-7</span> Survival rifle

The ArmaLite AR-7 Explorer is a semi-automatic firearm in .22 Long Rifle caliber, developed in 1959 from the AR-5 that was adopted by the U.S. Air Force as a pilot and aircrew survival weapon. The AR-7 was adopted and modified by the Israeli Air Force as an aircrew survival weapon in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heckler & Koch G41</span> Assault rifle

The Heckler & KochG41 is a German 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle introduced in 1981 and produced in limited quantities by Heckler & Koch. It was designed to replace the 7.62×51mm NATO chambered Heckler & Koch G3 and the G3 based .223 Remington/5.56×45mm and later 5.56×45mm NATO chambered Heckler & Koch HK33 service rifles providing a more modern weapon compatible with then recently introduced NATO standards. It can use both the then new STANAG 4172 compliant 5.56×45mm NATO SS109, SS110, and SS111 ammunition and older .223 Remington/5.56×45mm M193 ammunition and was the last Heckler & Koch service rifle designed around the roller-delayed blowback mechanism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SV-98</span> Sniper rifle

The SV-98 is a Russian bolt-action sniper rifle designed by Vladimir Stronskiy. In 2003 special operations troops were armed with the 7.62 mm 6S11 sniper system comprising the SV-98 sniper rifle and 7N14 sniper enhanced penetration round. The rifle has been used in combat during operations in Chechnya and Ukraine.

The SG 550 is an assault rifle manufactured by SIG Sauer AG in Switzerland. "SG" is an abbreviation for Sturmgewehr. The rifle is based on the earlier 5.56×45mm NATO SIG SG 540.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swedish Mauser</span> Bolt-action rifle

"Swedish Mausers" are a family of bolt-action rifles based on an improved variant of Mauser's earlier Model 1893, but using the 6.5×55mm Swedish cartridge, and incorporating unique design elements as requested by Sweden. These are the m/94 carbine, m/96 long rifle, m/38 short rifle and m/41 sniper rifle. Production began in 1898 at Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tikka T3</span> Rifle

The Tikka T3 is a series of bolt-action rifles manufactured by Sako under their Tikka brand in Riihimäki, Finland since 2003. The series is available in a wide variety of different sight, calibre and stock configurations as well as several barrel lengths. The rifle series was developed by Sako product development team led by Kari Kuparinen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dovetail rail</span> Type of attachment rail on firearms

A dovetail rail or dovetail mount can refer to several types of sliding rail system found on firearms, primarily for mounting telescopic sights. Colloquially, the term dovetail rail usually refer to any straight mounting bracket with an inverted trapezoid (dovetail) cross-section running parallel to the bore for mounting a scope or diopter sight to a rifle. These are sometimes also called "tip-off" mounts, and allow the user to easily take on or off the sight. Dovetail mount can also refer to a dovetail track running perpendicular to the bore.

The Tikka M55 is a Finnish rifle designed by Finnish firearms company Tikkakoski in 1967–1968. M55 was the first centerfire rifle action designed by Tikkakoski, and it was manufactured from 1968 to 1989. Tikkakoski also developed a long action rifle based on the M55, called Tikka M65. The Tikka M55 was imported to the United States by Ithaca Gun Company.

References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6hsb6gOdT4
  2. "T3 Compact Tactical Rifle". Tikka. Tikka. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  3. Fouchard, Steven. "Canadian Rangers approve of smaller, more powerful new rifles". Government of Canada. Army Public Affairs. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  4. Edward O (2 June 2017). "Cz557 Ranger Rifle Submission: Hidden Benefits to Military Competitions". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  5. "NEW CANADIAN RANGER RIFLE Press Release: Colt Canada Corporation 2015‐06‐23" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-02-04. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  6. "The Ultimate Guide to the AR15 Iron Sights Ver 1.1". 16 May 2016. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  7. 7.62MM AMMUNITION General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Canada
  8. 1 The Governor of Svalbard's guidelines for firearms and scare devices for protection against polar bears
  9. Nathaniel F (September 8, 2016). "You Will Soon Be Able to Own The C-19 Canadian Ranger Rifle – Tikka Introduces the "Arctic"". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  10. TIKKA T3x ARCTIC The rifle that Canadian Rangers trust
  11. Tikka's T3x Arctic Review: A Gift from the North by Rob Curtis November 28, 2017