Editing Colt Canada C7 and C8 (section)

==In non-Canadian service==

===Denmark===
[[File:Danish AR M95 noBG.png|thumb|C7A1 with ELCAN 3.4× optical sight and rear back up iron sight (BUIS) and TRIAD mount at the front sight base in Danish service.]]
[[File:US Navy 090219-N-1082Z-064 The visit, board, search and seizure team from the Danish flexible support ship HDMS Absalon (L 16) trains trains aboard USS Vella Gulf (CG 72).jpg|thumb|C8 CQB (Close Quarters Battle) as used by a boarding team of the [[Royal Danish Navy]].]]

Denmark bought the first batch of C7A1 in 1995 and C8A1 in 1996, designating them the ''M/95'' and ''M/96 carbine''. In 2004 the LSW, designated as the ''LSV M/04'' was added to the arsenal. These were to replace the German made [[Heckler & Koch G3|M/75]], which had been the main infantry weapon since 1975.

The C7A1 was issued to standard infantry units of the [[Royal Danish Army]]. The C8A1 is issued to units where the physically longer C7A1 could be obstructive to the unit's primary work, such as [[Military logistics|logisticians]], tankers and special units. The Denmark Special Forces, the [[Jægerkorpset]] and [[Frømandskorpset]] used the C8SFW, notably during the pull out of Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jægerkorpsets chef var den første danske soldat i Afghanistan og den sidste mand hjem |url=https://www.lederstof.dk/jaegerkorpsets-chef-var-den-foerste-danske-soldat-i-afghanistan-og-den-sidste-mand-hjem |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=www.lederstof.dk |language=da-DK}}</ref> The [[Special Support and Reconnaissance Company|SSR]], a special [[LRRP]]-unit under the [[Home Guard (Denmark)|Hjemmeværn]] command, also uses the C8SFW.

The LSW used to be issued to "support gunners" in infantry squads to get a lighter support weapon than the [[MG 3 machine gun|M/62]] for patrolling in Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LSV M/04 - et let støttevåben |url=https://natmus.dk/historisk-viden/temaer/militaerhistorie/krigen-i-afghanistan/fakta-om-soldaterne/let-stoettevaaben-lsv-m04/ |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=Nationalmuseet |language=da}}</ref> The Royal Danish Army later adopted the [[M60 machine gun|M60E6]] machine gun in 2014 for the support role.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Let maskingevær M/60 |url=https://www.forsvaret.dk/da/materiel2/let-maskingevar-m60/ |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=Forsvaret |language=da}}</ref> All LSWs have later been transferred to the Danish Home Guard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vores historie |url=https://www.hjv.dk/oe/HDSEJ/Sider/M84%20v%C3%A5ben.aspx |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=www.hjv.dk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Forsvaret |date= |title=Forsvaret, Materiel |url=https://www.forsvaret.dk/da/materiel2/ }}</ref>

The Army used the C7A1 designated M/95 and C8A1 designated M/96 with the Elcan [[C79 optical sight]] until the adoption of the M10 and was transferred to the [[Danish Home Guard]] who now use them along with the C8A2 with [[Aimpoint]] red dot sights.

The C7A1 was first issued to field units of Logcoy/Danbn/[[Dancon]] of the [[Danish International Brigade]], in October–November 1995 shortly before the transition from [[UNPROFOR]] to [[IFOR]] in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]].

On 4 January 2009, the Danish Army lost a number of weapons including M/95 and M/96 rifles to armed robbers who overpowered the guards at [[Antvorskov Barracks]]. The robbery was solely made possible because of inside knowledge and help. The police recovered the last of the stolen weapons on 22 November 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.politi.dk/Sydsjaelland/da/lokalnyt/Nyheder/Fakta+om+v%C3%A5benr%C3%B8veriet+mod+Antvorskov+Kaserne_250309.htm |title= Fakta om våbenrøveriet mod Antvorskov Kaserne |publisher= [[Police of Denmark]] |date= 25 March 2009 |trans-title= The facts of the weapons robbery at Antvorskov Kaserne |language= da |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150217001345/https://www.politi.dk/Sydsjaelland/da/lokalnyt/Nyheder/Fakta%2Bom%2Bv%C3%A5benr%C3%B8veriet%2Bmod%2BAntvorskov%2BKaserne_250309.htm |archive-date= 17 February 2015 |url-status= dead |access-date= 28 April 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2011/11/23/110226.htm |title= Politi finder 40 våben fra kasernekup |publisher= [[DR (broadcaster)|Danmarks Radio]] |agency= [[Ritzau]] |date= 23 November 2011 |access-date= 18 February 2015 |trans-title= Police recover 40 weapons from barracks coup |language= da |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150218215514/http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2011/11/23/110226.htm |archive-date= 18 February 2015 |url-status= live }}</ref>

[[File:Gevær M10.jpg|thumb|4th and current M10 variant in use by Danish soldiers (issued with Spectre DR 1-4× optics and both angled and vertical foregrips by [[Magpul Industries|Magpul]])]]
In 2010 the Danish DALO(Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization) ordered an improved version of the M/96 and M/95 from Colt Canada under the Danish designation M/10, which Colt Canada designated the ''C8 IUR''.<ref>[http://www.casr.ca/doc-news-c8iur-rifle.htm New Canadian-Made Rifles for the Danish Army – C8 IUR M/10] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630234143/http://www.casr.ca/doc-news-c8iur-rifle.htm |date=2013-06-30 }}</ref> It features a {{convert|401|mm|in|abbr=on}} free floating barrel, fully ambidextrous controls, flip up iron sights, a collapsible buttstock with more positions, and the Integrated Upper Receiver (IUR).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://02a574b.netsolhost.com/Home_files/Page421.htm |title=Denmark M/10 Carbine |publisher=02a574b.netsolhost.com |date=2010-04-26 |access-date=2013-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210000433/http://02a574b.netsolhost.com/Home_files/Page421.htm |archive-date=2014-12-10 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.coltcanada.com/upgrades.html |title=fleet upgrades, licensed programs & custom builds GV M/10 [DK] |access-date=2019-08-25 |archive-date=2019-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825133345/https://www.coltcanada.com/upgrades.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During the [[2015 Copenhagen shootings]], one victim was killed with an M/95 issued to the Danish Home Guard that was stolen in a home invasion robbery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2015/02/18/193729.htm|title=Terrorangreb i København: Gerningsvåben stammer fra et hjemmerøveri|publisher=Danmarks Radio|date=18 February 2015|access-date=18 February 2015|trans-title=Terrorist attack in Copenhagen: Perpetrator's weapon came from a home invasion robbery|language=da|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218225641/http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2015/02/18/193729.htm|archive-date=18 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

The M/10 has gone through multiple changes since its original introduction in the Danish Army, including an extension of the rail and removal of the built-in iron sights in favor of [[Magpul Industries|Magpul]] MBUS Picatinny mounted back-up sights,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gevær M/10 |url=https://www.forsvaret.dk/da/materiel2/gevar-m10/ |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=Forsvaret |language=da}}</ref> [[Stock (firearms)|buttstock]] changed to [[Magpul Industries|Magpul]] CTR stocks, and an olive drab finish instead of the old black<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fleet Upgrades Licensed Programs & Custom Builds - Colt Canada |url=https://www.coltcanada.com/fleet-upgrades-licensed-programs-custom-builds/ |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=www.coltcanada.com/ |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Log into Facebook">{{Cite web |title=𝐍𝐲𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐯å𝐛𝐞𝐧 |url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFMI%2Fposts%2F3146236085598431%2F%3Fpaipv%3D0%26eav%3DAfb1DSnJVODq0rjmwilgx2BTnvB0SIFAgwW9OwhuIIYeIZTdSNWIsO2Q9-R5RnP8Gpo |url-access=registration |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=Facebook |language=en}}</ref> and is issued with ELCAN [[Specter (sight)|Spectre DR 1-4×]] optics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nye våbendagsigter til Forsvaret |url=https://www.fmi.dk/da/nyheder/2020/nye-vabendagsigter-til-forsvaret/ |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=Forsvars ministeriets Materiel- og Indkøbsstyrelse |language=da}}</ref> Magpul is to be switched out as the provider sometime soon as a new deal for weapon attachments was made in 2022.<ref name="Log into Facebook"/>

===Netherlands===
{{multiple image
 | width     = 107
 | footer    = Upgraded variants of the C7 weapons family in Dutch service
 | image1    = Green Days Shooting Ahlen 2013 (19101477060).jpg
 | alt1      =
 | caption1  = C7NLD assault rifle, 2013
 | image2    = Swift Response 16 160615-A-BS310-102.jpg
 | alt2      =
 | caption2  = C8NLD carbine, 2016
 | image3    = Korps Mariniers colt jungle training.jpg
 | alt3      =
 | caption3  = LOAWNLD light machine gun, 2020
}}

After a selection process and trials program starting in 1991, the Netherlands purchased over 53,000 C7A1, C8A1 and LOAW weapons (C7 with polymer Thermold STANAG magazines in March 1994). The most commonly used version in the Netherlands Armed Forces was the C7 with iron sights. The [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] ordered only weapons fitted with magnifying sighting systems to fulfil its {{convert|500|m|yd|abbr=on}} effective range requirement.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.militairespectator.nl/sites/default/files/bestanden/uitgaven/1996/1996-0252-01-0071.PDF |title=Een nieuw klein-kaliberwapen voor de krijgsmacht |access-date=2021-12-28 |language=nl |date= June 1996}}</ref> The {{Interlanguage link|11 Luchtmobiele Brigade|nl}} (Airmobile Brigade), consisting of 11 Infantry Battalion [[Garderegiment Grenadiers en Jagers]], 12 Infantry Battalion [[Regiment Van Heutsz]] and 13 Infantry Battalion [[Regiment Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard]] uses the C7A1, and the C8A1 (Diemaco C8FT) was mainly used by the [[Korps Commandotroepen]], the paratroopers of the Luchtmobiele Brigade (one company per battalion), the [[Korps Mariniers]] and most of the recon units of the various combat units, including the Forward Air Controllers and the reconnaissance units of the cavalry and the artillery. The [[Korps Mariniers]] also uses the LSW, which is locally known as LOAW.

From 2009 onwards many of the Dutch C7 assault rifles, C8 carbines and LOAW light machine guns received an overhaul: the black furniture was replaced with dark earth furniture. New parts include a new retracting stock, ambidextrous controls, the Diemaco Integrated Upper Receiver (IUR) with a [[free-floating barrel]], [[Rail Integration System|RIS]] rails for mounting flashlights and laser systems, a [[vertical forward grip]] with built-in bipod also known as a "Grip Pod" and other accessories; the polymer [[STANAG magazine]]s became not exclusively black in color as translucent smoke colored Lancer L5AWM 30-round magazines (NSN: 1005-01-657-7839L5) were also introduced along the Thermold magazines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sadefensejournal.com/feeding-the-black-rifle-a-close-look-at-current-magazines/|title=Feeding the Black Rifle: A Close Look at Current Magazines – Small Arms Defense Journal}}</ref> The ELCAN 3.4× optical sight was also dropped in favour of the Swedish made non-magnifying [[Aimpoint CompM4]] red dot sight and if desired an accompanying Aimpoint [[red dot magnifier]]. These upgraded versions are now designated as C7NLD, C8NLD, and LOAWNLD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coltcanada.com/upgrades.html|title=The Netherlands Forces - C7NLD, C8NLD, LOAWNLD Upgraded from C7, C7A1, C8, C8A1, LOAW|access-date=15 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120132321/http://www.coltcanada.com/upgrades.html|archive-date=20 November 2014|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref name=TFB3>{{cite web |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/09/27/royal-netherlands-armys-nifty-c7c8-rifles/ |title=Royal Netherlands Army's Nifty C7/C8 Rifles |date=27 September 2011 |pages= |access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.coltcanada.com/upgrades.html |title=fleet upgrades, licensed programs & custom builds C7NLD - C8NLD - LOAW [NLD] |access-date=2019-08-25 |archive-date=2019-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825133345/https://www.coltcanada.com/upgrades.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Dutch arms often feature an armorer white [[QR code]] on the right of the magazine housing.

===United Kingdom===
[[File:43-commando-hr.jpg|thumb|Royal Marines from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group with L119A1 rifles fitted with CQB upper receivers in 2014 (five years prior to the L119 being adopted by the Royal Marines as a whole).]]
[[File:Exercise Falcon Amarante MOD 45165016.jpg|thumb|Pathfinder Platoon soldier with L119A1 rifle fitted with a CQB upper receiver in 2018.]]
[[File:40 Cdo-PROJECT HERMOD LIVEX MOD 45168198.jpg|thumb|Royal Marine from 40 Commando with L119A1 carbine in 2021.]]

During the SFW trials, the C8 outperformed both the [[Heckler & Koch G36]] and the [[SIG SG551]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Vickers Guide: AR-15, Volume 2|author1=Larry Vickers|author2=James Rupley|publisher=Mott Lake Publishing |year=2017|page=82}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forgottenweapons.com/uk-special-forces-m16-variant-the-l119a1/|title=UK Special Forces' M16 Variant: the L119A1|first=Ian|last=McCollum|date=January 21, 2022|website=www.forgottenweapons.com}}</ref> The C8SFW was subsequently adopted in 2000 under the designation, L119A1.

Use of the C8 has expanded to include, among others, the original [[Special Air Service|SAS]] and [[Special Boat Service|SBS]], the [[Special Forces Support Group]], the Pathfinder Platoon of [[16 Air Assault Brigade]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Pathfinders lead the way for airborne forces |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2018/04/pathfinders-lead-the-way-for-airborne-forces/ |website=British Army |access-date=15 March 2023 |date=26 April 2018}}</ref> [[Royal Military Police]] Close Protection teams<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ministry of Defence |author-link=Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) |title=Royal Military Police train for close protection |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/TrainingAndAdventure/RoyalMilitaryPoliceTrainForCloseProtection.htm |website=Ministry of Defence |date=7 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109162528/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/TrainingAndAdventure/RoyalMilitaryPoliceTrainForCloseProtection.htm |archive-date=9 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Ministry of Defence Police#Armament|MoD Police]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ministry of Defence Police |title=Freedom of Information request - Ministry of Defence Police:Duties |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/498753/20160202_REDACTED_Reply_eCase_00790_RFI_2416_Re_MDP_Duties.pdf |access-date=15 March 2023 |date=2 February 2016 |id=Ref: FOI2016/00790}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Ministry of Defence Police |title=Freedom of Information request - Ministry of Defence Police:Weapons |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/390675/MDP_Weapons_Redacted.pdf |access-date=15 March 2023 |date=19 December 2014 |id=Ref: FOI2014}}</ref> Most weapons are now fitted with Knights Armaments Rail Adapter System handguards (that hold zero on the top and the bottom rails) and Picatinny rail flat-top upper receivers. The muzzle velocity and effective range are stated as {{convert|895|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|550|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} with a 400&nbsp;mm (15.7") barrel and {{convert|790|m/s|ft/s|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|250|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} with a 254&nbsp;mm (10.0") CQB barrel.<ref name="Maintenance Instructions: C7 family"/>

Most users fit Trijicon [[Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight|ACOG 4×32]] sights with CQB reflex attachment, but other sights are used. Various lasers, lights, foregrips and other attachments are used. Surefire 4-prong flash hiders are generally fitted, and suppressors are available. The standard Canadian bayonet is issued but rarely used. Coloured furniture is becoming commonplace. The United Kingdom prefers polymer magazines to metal ones on grounds of weight and reliability and has now standardised on these for all C8 and operational [[SA80]] users, with well over a million magazines purchased. Many weapons are fitted with the [[Heckler & Koch AG-C/EGLM|L17A1]] underslung 40&nbsp;mm grenade launcher (UGL), the UK designation for the [[Heckler & Koch AG-C/EGLM]]. Detachable shoulder stocks are available for stand-alone use of the UGL.

[[43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines|43 Commando Fleet Protection Group]] replaced their L85A2 rifles with the C8 in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ripley |first1=Tim |title=UK Royal Marine unit ditches the SA80 for Colt C8 |url=http://www.janes.com/article/58501/uk-royal-marine-unit-ditches-the-sa80-for-colt-c8 |work=Jane's Defence Weekly |date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317184342/http://www.janes.com/article/58501/uk-royal-marine-unit-ditches-the-sa80-for-colt-c8 |archive-date=17 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, ''[[The Times]]'' reported that the C8 would become the standard-issue rifle of the [[Royal Marines]] replacing the [[SA80]].<ref name="Times2019"/><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/industry-news/royal-navy-limits-commitment-to-littoral-strike-ship-development/ | title=Royal Navy limits commitment to Littoral Strike Ship development| newspaper=Naval Technology| date=7 November 2019| last1=Lye| first1=Harry}}</ref>

In July 2013, the British Ministry of Defence contracted Colt Canada for a £2.8 million mid-life upgrade of the L119A1 carbines used by the United Kingdom Special Forces. Subsequently, from 2014 the L119A1 was upgraded to the L119A2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forgottenweapons.com/l119a2-the-new-british-sof-rifle/|title=L119A2: The New British SOF Rifle|first=Ian|last=McCollum|date=January 24, 2022|website=www.forgottenweapons.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fleet Upgrades, Licensed Programs & Custom Builds |url=https://www.coltcanada.com/fleet-upgrades-licensed-programs-custom-builds/ |website=Colt Canada |access-date=15 March 2023}}</ref> There are two L119A2 variants: The standard Carbine with a {{convert|400|mm|1|abbr=on}} barrel and CQB (Close Quarter Battle) with a {{convert|254|mm|1|abbr=on}} barrel. The CQB variant has seen the most widespread use. Both L119A2 variants feature a custom integrated upper receiver (IUR) with rails that hold zero all around, a lighter profile barrel, straight [[Gas-operated reloading|gas tube]]s, Geissele trigger, [[SureFire]] 4-prong flash hider, a tan coloured Magpul 6 position collapsible CRT buttstock, Ergo pistol grip, and ambidextrous controls.

===Botswana===
[[File:Botswana Defence Force - Colt Canada MRR.jpg|thumb|A member of the Botswana Defence Force places a training bolt in his Colt Canada MRR]]
The [[Botswana Defence Force]] uses the MRR15.7M and MRR11.6S Modular Rail Rifle as patrol and Close Quarter Battle carbines.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.coltcanada.com/upgrades.html |title=fleet upgrades, licensed programs & custom builds MRR11.6S & MRR15.7M [BW] |access-date=2019-08-25 |archive-date=2019-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825133345/https://www.coltcanada.com/upgrades.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> These feature an integrated upper receiver, ambidextrous controls, ambidextrous charging handle, custom folding front & rear sights, tan coloured Magpul MOE pistol grip and Magpul CTR buttstock. They are deployed for national defence, foreign peace-keeping and anti-poaching tasks.

===Afghanistan===
In 2007 and 2008, Canada donated 2,500 surplus C7 assault rifles to the Afghan National Army.<ref name="CBC">{{cite news|title=Canadian military donates 2,500 rifles to Afghan army|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canadian-military-donates-2-500-rifles-to-afghan-army-1.672881|access-date=June 15, 2011|newspaper=CBC.ca|date=December 23, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808212905/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2007/12/23/canada-afghan-rifles.html|archive-date=August 8, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>  In 2011, the ANA gave back the C7s since as Afghan security forces chose the American M16 instead.  Canadian Forces officials said the Canadian rifles would be shipped to Canada for disposal.<ref name="ca.yahoo">{{cite news|last=Brewster|first=Murray|title=Afghan army gives donated rifles back to Canada in favour of U.S. weapons|url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/afghan-army-gives-donated-rifles-back-canada-favour-154653728.html|access-date=16 June 2011|newspaper=The Canadian Press|date=16 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619030412/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/afghan-army-gives-donated-rifles-back-canada-favour-154653728.html|archive-date=19 June 2011}}</ref>

===Ukraine===



In 2022, Canada donated C8A1 carbines to the Ukrainian Ground Forces which were seen in use with multiple military units since then. From 2022 to mid-2025, the Netherlands also provided over 10,000 C7/C7A1 and newer C7NLD rifles to Ukraine.<ref name="oryx">{{cite news|title=Enabling Victory: Canadian Military Support To Ukraine|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/09/enabling-victory-canadian-military.html|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=TAB |date=2022-11-27 |title=Colt Canada / Diemaco C7 Rifles & C8 Carbines in Ukraine |url=https://armourersbench.com/2022/11/27/colt-canada-diemaco-c7-rifles-c8-carbines-in-ukraine/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=The Armourers Bench |language=en}}</ref>