Question Period Note: Canadian Rangers rifles

Stocks on the new rifles issued to our Canadian Rangers are already cracking. How do we expect our military members to be able to do their jobs?

• The C-19 rifle is a safe and effective weapon, which the Canadian Rangers continue to use.
• We do recognize that there are issues with these rifles in extreme weather conditions, specifically with the wood stocks.
• These issues do not represent a safety concern, and do not impede the operational effectiveness of our Rangers.
• But it is important that we find a solution.
• That is why National Defence has developed a procurement strategy to replace the stocks.
• In fact, we expect to award a contract this year.
• We further anticipate that the first delivery of the new stocks will begin one year after the contract is awarded.
• National Defence is committed to ensuring that the Rangers, and all members of the Canadian Armed Forces, have the equipment and training they need to protect Canada and Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

The Canadian Rangers
* The Canadian Rangers are a sub-component of the Canadian Army Reserve who live and work in remote, isolated, and coastal regions of Canada. They support Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) national security and public safety operations within Canada. Canadian Rangers are employed an average of 12 days annually and receive additional compensation for any official CAF taskings.
Rifles for the Canadian Rangers
* The .308 C-19 is the standard rifle used by the Canadian Rangers. It was phased into use beginning in March 2018 and replaced the Lee Enfield .303 rifle, which had been in service since 1947.
* $32.8 million was awarded to Colt Canada in September 2016 to procure rifles for the Canadian Rangers.
* 6,820 new rifles were ordered to support the Canadian Rangers during Northern operations.
* The C-19 Ranger Rifle was tested in environmental conditions and met the initial performance requirements. However, the cycle of humidity changes and the high usage of the weapon by the Rangers was not adequately factored in the test program.
* Following reports of C-19 Ranger Rifle stocks swelling when exposed to excessive moisture, Colt Canada undertook extreme weather testing in fall 2019. This testing concluded that the wood used for the stocks lacked sufficient protective finish to properly seal and protect the wood from extreme environmental exposure.
* National Defence worked with Colt Canada to incorporate design changes to address the issues facing the wood stocks of the C-19 rifle fleet. These design changes have been finalized and approved by National Defence.
* The new stock design will incorporate an updated specification for the wood and laminate material; an updated coating system to isolate the laminate stock material from moisture; and, a stainless-steel bedding block to eliminate the effects of moisture.
* The procurement process is in progress.
* Based on the initial C-19 Ranger Rifle procurement, the performance requirements were met. The current issue with the stock became apparent after and, therefore, National Defence intends to cover the cost of replacement.

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel), Canadian Army

May 28, 2025

Quick facts

• Status: Approximately 6,300 C-19 rifles are in-service. All have experienced some absorption of moisture, along with some degree of swelling and cracking.
  • Neither the swelling nor the cracks in the wood stocks represent a safety concern that would prevent the rifles from being used. [The wood stock on a rifle is the portion of the gun that provides structural support and acts as a platform for the shooter to hold and aim the rifle.]
• Replacement timeline: The procurement process to replace the in-service C-19 Ranger Rifle wood stocks is in progress, with a contract valued between $8-10 million expected to be awarded this year. The first delivery of the new stocks is anticipated one year after the contract is awarded. Replacements will be phased in over three years.