Canadian Forces To Receive New Sniper Rifles

Halifax Live ^ | 5/26/05 | n/a

[kiriath_jearim]

Canadian Forces To Receive New Sniper Rifles

By National Defence

May 26, 2005, 17:28

Ottawa -- The Department of National Defence has awarded PGW Defence Technologies Inc. a $4.5-million contract for the provision of sniper rifles. The Winnipeg-based company will provide the weapons system, training package, ammunition, spare parts and maintenance support as part of the contract, signed May 13, 2005.

"As stated in the new Defence Policy, the government is committed to providing new equipment to the Canadian Forces, assuring they can operate effectively in today's challenging security environment," said Defence Minister Bill Graham. "This contract is an example of how we are modernizing our equipment with the assistance of Canadian expertise."

"This weapons system, one of the most accurate sniper rifles in the world, is a part of our commitment to improving Canadian Forces capabilities and equipment," said General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff.

This medium range sniper weapon is 8.6mm (.338 calibre) and has a range of 1500m - almost twice that of the C3A1 rifle it is replacing. The new system includes the rifle, magazines, telescopic sight, stand, and carrying case.

Canadian Forces snipers from across the country trialed the rifle at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown and were impressed with its performance. It was also tested at the Canadian Forces Munitions Experimental Test Centre in Valcartier, Que.

The Canadian Forces will begin taking delivery of this small arms system in August 2005. It will be used by Regular Force infantry units across the Army, in both training and operations.

[Joe Brower]

Thanks for all of your firearms-related postings and for flagging them to the bang list. I, along with many other gun-enthusiasts here on FR, thank you!

[anniegetyourgun]

Don't tell the Canadians about this.....

[youngtory]

Too late. :)

[68skylark]

This sounds like a good piece of gear -- a good addition to the Canadian military.

[Red Badger]

Do they still have the corks and string attached?

[dts32041]

Only as suppositories

[Zathras]

I think we can call this a .338 Lapua ping (or splat)!

[edboock]

sounds like the .338 Lapua. This is round that is replacing the .50 cal.

[glock rocks]

This is the rifle being replaced... The Parker-Hale’s C3A1 – the Standard CF Sniper’s Rifle ( for Now ... )

The British M82 sniper’s rifle entered CF service in the 1970s as the C3. Parker-Hale rifles have Mauser actions, the C3s being distinquished by their extended bolt handles and detachable box magazines. A change to Unertl scopes resulted in the C3A1. In the late ’90s, the CF replaced all C3A1 wood ‘furniture’ with composite A2 stocks by McMillan Bros. Use of a bolt-action rifle may seem anachronistic, but proponents argue that automatic snipers rifles are less accurate (and the experience of CF sniper teams in Afghanistan in 2002 seem to bear out this conclusion).

The C3A1 is 7.62 caliber.

[Spktyr]

From: http://www.pgwdti.com/ (their site looks like a 9th grader wrote it)

PGW DEFENCE TECHNOLOGIES HAS JUST BEEN AWARDED THE CANADIAN FORCES MRSWS CONTRACT TO REPLACE THE C3 RIFLE SYSTEM. DETAILS AND SPECIFICATIONS TO FOLLOW!


The PGWDTI MRSWS System includes:

-Timberwolf 338 Lapua SWS.
-PGWDTI Titanium sound suppressor.
-US Optics SN-3 EREK 3.2-17.
-Titanium 25 minute Picatinny rail.
-Simrad mount.
-Dual side laser designator mount.
-26" helically fluted barrel. 1-10" 6 groove.
-Titanium side port muzzle brake.
-A5 stock with Titanium Cantilever Monoblock bedding.
-Parts kit, cleaning kit, tool kit.
-Handstop and rail.
-Harris S-BRM bipod.
-Adjustable sling.
-Five 5 round magazines.
-Fitted Pelican 1750 case.
-Drag bag.
-Action cover, suppressor cover.
-Lapua 250 grain Lock Base ammunition.
-Complete training package (user care and technician).
-User and technical manuals.
-A 2 year parts supply.

****

The interesting part is that it's a discarded/shelved US caliber. Here's the details on the caliber: http://www.custer.com.au/Lap/pages/338Hist.html

[shekkian]

I hope they're registered.

[Spktyr]

.338 isn't going to replace the .50BMG, more accurately, it's bridging the capability gap between the .308 and the .50. The .50 still has the longest effective range of any military cartridge - 2000+ meters as opposed to the Lapua's 1500.

[Squawk 8888]

The .50 still has the longest effective range of any military cartridge - 2000+ meters

Well over 2000m. A Canadian sniper in Afghanistan scored a kill at ~2500m.

[caisson71]

What will the Canadians do with these rifles? Where will they use it?

[Spktyr]

Don't you mean *the* Canadian sniper in Afghanistan? Last I checked, there were only five guys in the .ca Army. ;)

[American_Centurion]

Best Canadian money can buy! (Within the bounds of the Canadian Military budget)

[Dionysius]

Canada? What are they going to use them for? Picking off protestors at same-sex weddings? Maybe taking out those sneaking across the border for CT Scans?

[mc5cents]

What will the Canadians do with these rifles? Where will they use it?

Probably

[Modernman]

What will the Canadians do with these rifles? Where will they use it?

Afghanistan, for one. And Iraq. There are plenty of Canadian soldiers doing an exchange tour with the US military in Iraq.

Hopefully, this thread won't degenerate into bashing the Canadian military. It is my understanding that the US military has high respect for their Canadian counterparts.