Diemaco C8

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Diemaco C8

C8SFW | C8CQB | C8NLD

Overview

Diemaco C8FT

Dutch marine with C8FT carbine with AG-C grenade launcher and Elcan 3.4x riflescope. Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin Canada Type Assault rifle Entered service 1984 Status In service Development Early 1980's Developer Canada - Diemaco (now Colt Canada) United States - Colt Production Early 1980's - present Producer Canada - Diemaco (now Colt Canada) Designations C8A1 (C8FT in Canadian service) C8A2 (C8FTHB in Canadian service) Kb M/96 (C8FTHB in Danish service) L119A1 (C8 SFW in UK military service)

Description

Introduction

The C8 is a carbine assault rifle of Canadian origin. It was developed by Diemaco, nowadays Colt Canada, to accompany the full size C7 assault rifle. In turn the C7 was derived from the US M16A1 and A2 lineage and has a similar look and performance. Several NATO nations adopted the C7 and C8.

Design

The C8 is the carbine variant of the full size C7 assault rifle. It has a shorter barrel and is fitted with a retractable stock. The C8 is very similar to the American M4 carbine, but retains more features of the older generation M16A1. These include the thin barrel profile and A1 style rear sight. For special forces use variants with a heavy profile barrel were developed. Many C8 were produced in a flat top model for mounting optical sights by default. At first the Weaver style rail was used, with later production models using Picatinny rails.

Firepower

The C8 fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round from a 30 round detachable box magazine. All variants of the C8 have a semi-automatic and full automatic capability. Cyclic rate of fire is 750 to 950 rpm. Effective range is about 300 meters. The thin and heavy profile barrels have a similar accuracy, but the latter is better suited for sustained fire. Some variants of the C8 can be fitted with an underbarrel grenade launcher.

Users

The C8 was adopted by Canada and the Netherlands as a general issue carbine alongside the full size C7 assault rifle. In both nations the C8 has been subject to improvement programs with accessory rails and newer optics. Various nations acquired specialist variants of the C8 for special forces use. Most notably the United Kingdom and Denmark.

Variants

C8A2

A C8A2 carbine with heavy barrel as identified by the step cut for the M203 grenade launcher. Source: www.world.guns.ru - © copyright lies with original owner

C8 Baseline C8 carbine with fixed handguard. Unlike the US M4 carbine this features a thin profile barrel as found on the M16A1, but with the faster twist rate associated with 5.56mm NATO. C8A1 The C8A1 is similar to the C8, but features a flat top receiver for mounting optics. The factory designation was C8FT at first. The Elcan C79 was the standard optics at the time of introduction. C8FTHB A Heavy Barrel variant of the C8A1. Unlike the C8 and C8A1 this has a heavy step cut barrel profile similar to the American Colt M4. C8SFW Special Forces Weapon variant of the C8A1. Feature a longer heavier barrel. The barrel profile tapers outwards and inwards towards the muzzle. C8CQB Compact model of the C8 with short barrel. Similar to the M4 Commando. C8NLD Dutch upgrade program with a tan colored Integrated Upper Receiver, Aimpoint M4 red dot sight, new tan color stock and various accessories.

Details

Facts C8 C8A1 C8FTHB C8SFW C8CQB General Origin Canada Type Assault rifle Caliber Caliber 5.56x45mm NATO Feed system 30 round detachable box magazine Barrel length 370 mm thin profile barrel Rifling 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist Muzzle velocity 880 m/s with SS109 Operation Action Gas operated, direct impingement Locking Rotating bolt Fire selector 0 - 1 - F Rate of fire 700 - 950 rpm Dimensions Stock type Retractable Length 840 mm stock extended 760 mm stock retracted Weight 2.7 kg empty Sights Mechanical Iron sights, post front and aperture rear Sight radius 368 mm Optics None Accessories Bayonet Yes General Origin Canada Type Assault rifle Caliber Caliber 5.56x45mm NATO Feed system 30 round detachable box magazine Barrel length 370 mm thin profile barrel Rifling 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist Muzzle velocity 880 m/s with SS109 Operation Action Gas operated, direct impingement Locking Rotating bolt Fire selector 0 - 1 - F Rate of fire 700 - 950 rpm Dimensions Stock type Retractable, 4 position stock Length 840 mm stock extended 760 mm stock retracted Weight 3.2 kg empty with Elcan C79 Sights Mechanical Iron sights, post front and aperture rear Sight radius 368 mm Optics Flat top receiver with Weaver rail Elcan C79 3.4x optical sight is standard issue Accessories Bayonet Yes General Origin Canada Type Assault rifle Caliber Caliber 5.56x45mm NATO Feed system 30 round detachable box magazine Barrel length 370 mm heavy profile step cut barrel Rifling 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist Muzzle velocity 880 m/s with SS109 Operation Action Gas operated, direct impingement Locking Rotating bolt Fire selector 0 - 1 - F Rate of fire 700 - 950 rpm Dimensions Stock type Retractable, 4 position stock Length 840 mm stock extended 760 mm stock retracted Weight 3.35 kg empty with Elcan C79 Sights Mechanical Iron sights, post front and aperture rear Sight radius 368 mm Optics Flat top receiver with Weaver (early) or Picatinny (late) rail Elcan C79 3.4x optical sight is standard issue Accessories Bayonet Yes Grenade launcher Optional M203A1 General Origin Canada Type Assault rifle Caliber Caliber 5.56x45mm NATO Feed system 30 round detachable box magazine Barrel length 0.41 m heavy profile barrel Rifling 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist Muzzle velocity 900 m/s with SS109 Operation Action Gas operated, direct impingement Locking Rotating bolt Fire selector 0 - 1 - F Rate of fire 700 - 950 rpm Dimensions Stock type Retractable, 4 position stock Length 0.88 m stock extended 0.80 mm stock retracted Weight 3.4 kg empty with Elcan C79 3.9 kg loaded Sights Mechanical Iron sights, post front and aperture rear Sight radius 368 mm Optics Flat top receiver with Weaver (early) or Picatinny (late) rail Elcan C79 3.4x optical sight is standard issue Accessories Bayonet Yes Grenade launcher Optional M203A1 or AG-C General Origin Canada Type Compact assault rifle Caliber Caliber 5.56x45mm NATO Feed system 30 round detachable box magazine Barrel length 0.25 m Rifling 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist Muzzle velocity 795 m/s Operation Action Gas operated, direct impingement Locking Rotating bolt Fire selector 0 - 1 - F Rate of fire 700 - 950 rpm Dimensions Stock type Retractable Length 0.72 m stock extended 0.64 mm stock retracted Weight 2.4 kg empty without optics and accessory rails Sights Mechanical Fixed front sight and optional rear iron sights Optics Picatinny accessory rail for mounting optics Accessories Bayonet No Grenade launcher No