Colt Canada C7CT
Colt Canada · Sniper Rifle · In Production · 2005
Also known as: C7CT, C7 Custom Tactical, C8CT, Diemaco C7CT
Overview
The Colt Canada C7CT is a designated marksman rifle variant of the C7 family, with 'CT' standing for Custom Tactical. Built as an accurized version of the standard C7/C8 rifles used by the Canadian Armed Forces, the C7CT provides accurate engagement capability out to 600 meters while maintaining system commonality with other fielded weapons in the Canadian inventory. The rifle features a heavy, free-floating 20-inch barrel surrounded by a tubular forestock, a two-stage match trigger, and a weighted stock designed to counterbalance the heavier barrel. The C7CT is typically equipped with a bipod, sound suppressor, and precision optics including designator rails. Designed to serve as either a sniper spotter weapon or a police containment weapon, the CT series meets or exceeds all applicable military standards for reliability, accuracy, lethality, maintainability, and safety across all environmental and operational conditions.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4500 g (158.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5100 g (179.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1006 mm (39.61") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Rotating Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 940 m/s (3084 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1776 J (1310 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3600 m (3937 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Cold Hammer Forged Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56mm NATO, 5.56x45mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Stanag Compatible
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Free Floating Barrel, Heavy Barrel, Match Trigger, Weighted Stock, Adjustable Buttstock, Removable Bipod, Picatinny Rail, Suppressor Ready, Tubular Forestock
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Canadian Armed Forces · adopted 2005 · as C7CT
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Danish Armed Forces
- Royal Netherlands Army
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2014)
Production
Production years: 2005-present
Produced in limited quantities to order for military and law enforcement customers. Exact numbers not disclosed.
Origin
Country of origin: Canada
Notes
The C7CT represents Colt Canada's approach to the designated marksman role using an evolved AR-15/M16 platform rather than adopting a completely new weapon system. This strategy provides significant logistics and training advantages for forces already equipped with C7/C8 rifles. The sustained rate of fire is approximately 10 rounds per minute for precision engagement. The distinctive tubular forestock provides a rigid, free-floating handguard that isolates the barrel from external pressures while providing multiple mounting points for bipods, lights, and other accessories. Sound suppressors are usually fitted as standard equipment.
Background
The C7CT was born from a practical Canadian military philosophy: why adopt an entirely new weapon system when you can take the proven C7 platform and engineer it to sniper-spotter accuracy? Canadian designated marksmen in Afghanistan used the C7CT to provide precision overwatch with a rifle that shared magazines, manuals, and muscle memory with every other C7 and C8 in the platoon.