Stocks on new Canadian Ranger rifles are cracking and need to be replaced
Stocks on the new rifles issued to Canadian Rangers for use in the far north are cracking and have to be replaced because they can't withstand excessive moisture.
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In addition, the lamination on the C-19 rifle wood stocks is peeling off, the Department of National Defence acknowledged.
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Soldiers tipped off the Ottawa Citizen about the problems with the relatively new rifles and raised concerns about the effectiveness of the weapons.
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One hundred and fifty-six of the rifles were initially deemed as unusable but the majority of the guns are still being used despite the problems, according to the DND.
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The Canadian Forces ordered more than 6,800 of the rifles from Colt Canada in Kitchener, Ont., with deliveries beginning in March 2018. The contract was for $32.8 million.
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The .308 C-19 replaced the Lee Enfield .303 rifle that had been used by Canadian Rangers since 1947. The Lee Enfield had a wooden stock. The C19 is lighter, shorter and more precise, according to the Canadian Forces.
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Canadian Rangers noticed the problems with the rifles shortly after the first ones were delivered. Additional concerns were raised in 2019 about 'premature C-19 Ranger Rifle stock cracking,' DND spokesperson Kened Sadiku said in an email.
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'Testing concluded that the wood used for these C-19 stock lacked sufficient protective finish to properly seal and protect the wood from extreme environmental exposure, resulting in the wood being susceptible to moisture absorption and shrinkage,' said Sadiku. 'The test also indicated that the glue used in some of the C-19 stock exhibited early and unexpected laminate separation.'
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Under the contract, the rifles were required to withstand extremely cold temperatures in the Arctic as well as moderate-to-high humidity in the coastal and forested regions of the country.
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'Based on the initial C19 Ranger Rifle procurement, the performance requirements were met,' Sadiku stated. 'The current issue with the C19 Ranger Rifle stock became apparent after and therefore, DND intends to cover the cost for the replacement.'
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