Diemaco C8
C8SFW | C8CQB | C8NLD
Overview
Diemaco C8FT
Dutch marine with C8FT carbine with AG-C grenade launcher and Elcan 3.4x riflescope.
Source: Unknown author -
© Copyright lies with original owner
United States - Colt
C8A2 (C8FTHB in Canadian service)
Kb M/96 (C8FTHB in Danish service)
L119A1 (C8 SFW in UK military service)
Description
Introduction
The C8 is a carbine assault rifle of Canadian origin. It was developed by Diemaco, nowadays Colt Canada, to accompany the full size C7 assault rifle. In turn the C7 was derived from the US M16A1 and A2 lineage and has a similar look and performance. Several NATO nations adopted the C7 and C8.
Design
The C8 is the carbine variant of the full size C7 assault rifle. It has a shorter barrel and is fitted with a retractable stock. The C8 is very similar to the American M4 carbine, but retains more features of the older generation M16A1. These include the thin barrel profile and A1 style rear sight. For special forces use variants with a heavy profile barrel were developed. Many C8 were produced in a flat top model for mounting optical sights by default. At first the Weaver style rail was used, with later production models using Picatinny rails.
Firepower
The C8 fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round from a 30 round detachable box magazine. All variants of the C8 have a semi-automatic and full automatic capability. Cyclic rate of fire is 750 to 950 rpm. Effective range is about 300 meters. The thin and heavy profile barrels have a similar accuracy, but the latter is better suited for sustained fire. Some variants of the C8 can be fitted with an underbarrel grenade launcher.
Users
The C8 was adopted by Canada and the Netherlands as a general issue carbine alongside the full size C7 assault rifle. In both nations the C8 has been subject to improvement programs with accessory rails and newer optics. Various nations acquired specialist variants of the C8 for special forces use. Most notably the United Kingdom and Denmark.
Variants
C8A2
A C8A2 carbine with heavy barrel as identified by the step cut for the M203 grenade launcher.
Source: www.world.guns.ru -
© copyright lies with original owner
Details
Media
C8 CQB
British Royal Marine with C8 CQB compact assault rifle.
Source: US Marine Corps (MSgt Chad McMeen)
Copyright: Public domain
C8NLD
US Army soldier firing a Dutch C8NLD carbine during an exercise.
Source: US Army (Markus Rauchenberger)
Copyright: Public domain
Kb M/96
Danish soldier with C8 rifle with IUR during an exercise in 2014.
Source: US Army (Markus Rauchenberger)
Copyright: Public domain
C8 SFW
Canadian soldier with C8 SFW rifle in 2015. Note the longer barrel that becomes wider near the muzzle.
Source: Canadian Forces
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
C8NLD
Dutch soldier holding a C8NLD carbine with various accessories.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
C8 SFW
C8 SFW showing its stepped barrel. Possibly an airsoft weapon in this picture.
Source: unknown author @ www.imageshack.us
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
C8 CQB
The very short barrel C8 CQB rifle. The weapon in this picture might be a replica.
Source: www.modelguns.co.uk
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
Diemaco C7
The C8 is the carbine variant of the full size C7 assault rifle.
Colt M4
The C8 is the Canadian counterpart of the US M4 carbine. Both rifles were developed at the same time, but differ in various details.
Colt Canada C8CT
The C8 serves as the basis for the C8CT, a marksman variant of the C8.