Well I am getting more and more diagreeable over the day ;D
I don't agree with pappy whatsoever. He comes the KevinB RANT...
Ecerpts from my service rifle paper..
Weapon Footprint:
The size of the C7 is overly large for the roles of mechanized, light infantry, and special operation capable (or SOC) forces. 1PPCLI experiences in Kosovo have been documented, and the requirement for a smaller more maneuverable weapon was noted in the unit AAR. Soldiers repeatedly used pistols as a more handy and controllable (but less effective) weapon during VCP's / Cordon and Searches etc. Experience in Mechanized exercises and deployments highlights the need for a shorter and more maneuverable weapon. The space in a LAVIII APC is at a premium, and to exit the vehicle quickly and still be able to bring accurate fire immediately upon enemy forces a shorter weapon is required. 3PPLCI's combat experiences in Afghanistan are a true test of the C7/C7A1 and example of the desirability of the shorter C8/M4 Carbine
style weapon. Soldiers were constantly interested in the C8 carbine due to its short length and lighter weight. Light Infantry soldiers are encumbered by an assortment of bulk and heavy items in addition to their personal weapons. The 3PPCLI AAR asks for the Diemaco 16â ? SFW to compensate issues with the C8's 14.5â ?bbl.
Velocity table a few of us did up in testing 20" 16" and 14.5" Barrels
for those unfamilair with the mechanisms of wounding for the C77/M855/SS109 projectivel please consult the
AMMO-ORACLE
Sgt L. M. Gauley, CD's article in the Vol.6 No.1 Spring 2003 issue of the
Doctrine and Training Bulletin make clear the tasks that are required of
both Light Infantry (occasionally the need for Mechanized Infantry to
function as Light) and the skill sets, and equipment that are required for
those missions and that most of these mission in other armies would be farmed to
SOF's.
2) Modularity: The C7A1 Rifle's Picatinny type rail on the upper receiver (note the
Diemaco Rail spec is not a true M1913 Picatinny spec rail) is not long enough to
accommodate all of the required modular weapon system accessories of modern Armies
IR Laser/Illuminators, Visible Lights, NV systems, grenade and less lethal launcher
systems. To make effective use of these systems a modular weapons system is needed so
items can be added and subtracted as needed. The other users of plastic stock furniture
weapons (i.e. the US Army and USMC) have made several strides . Many allied rifle
and carbine upgrades call for an uninterrupted M1913 spec top rail.
C7A2
Observations
The midlife replacement project is making the C7/C8 a more versatile
option. Admitted there are currently deficiencies in the C7A1. Currently DLR has proposed the C7A2 to fulfill the deficiencies of the C7A1
Ambidextrous Magazine release;
Ambidextrous Fire Control Selector;
Diemaco Triad 1 (Light and Laser Adapter)
Green Furniture;
C79 Upgrade;Green C79 Sight Cover, replace Tritium Source (10year half life), and Retrofit 4 gen Side Spring
Accuwedge; and
C8 4 Position Telescopic butt
Recommendations
1. The C7A2 appears to be a start in the right direction but did not go far enough.
The weapon footprint was not fully addressed. While the idea of a telescoping
buttstock is desirable , the 4 position Diemaco stock is not a good representation
of the available choices in telescopic stocks.
· The US Military has adopted the newer Colt 6 position stock for use on
the M4A1 Carbines and other weapons that has a larger toe â “ providing
both better purchase on the stock from the shoulder, and diffusing the
recoil impulse to a greater degree.
· USSOCOM has adopted a number of Modular telescopic stocks, from the
Crane Enhanced M4 Stock, the VLTOR, and the Magpul M93 MSS.
· Other off the Shelf Manufactures are creating modular stocks with
multiple positions that provide even greater flexibility to the shooter (7+)
· Collapsible Stocks allow for the tailoring of the weapon to each
individual shooter to adjust to both stature and size, but also the
encumberment of equipment and combat clothing.
2. Barrel: With the shift in focus of the CF toward the close combat environment5 it
does not make sense to retain the 20â ? barrel of the C7. USSOCOM testing6 by
USNSWC Crane has shown the 18.25â ? bbl (Mk12 SPR) is the optimum bbl
length for accuracy and muzzle velocity; however the 16â ? midlength system is
the best overall combat length barrel for multipurpose roles occasioned by
Infantry and Special Operations Forces
More to follow