Colt Canada C7 rifle Country Canada Type Assault rifle Manufacturer Colt Introduction 1984 Specifications Length 100.6 cm (39.5 in) Barrel length 51 cm (20 in) Cartridge 5.56x45mm NATO Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt Rate of fire 700-800 rounds/min Muzzle velocity 925 m/s Effective range 400 m (effective); 600 m (effective in a section) Feed system Various STANAG magazines.

The C7 is a service rifle variation of the M16 rifle that is manufactured by Diemaco (Colt Canada), a subsidiary of Colt Firearms after 2005, and used by the Canadian Forces, Hærens Jegerkommando (Norway), Military of Denmark (all branches), Icelandic Crisis Response Unit, the Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy and Netherlands Marine Corps, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Royal Marechaussee as its main infantry weapon. Following trials, variants became the weapon of choice of United Kingdom Special Forces.

The development of the C7 paralleled that of the M16A2 by Colt. A Canadian Forces Liaison Officer worked with the Marines in the M16A1 Product Improvement Program and relayed information to Canada\'s Rifle Replacement Program Office.The C7 for all intents and purposes is much like earlier M16A1E1s, rather than final product M16A2s. The earliest C7s were actually manufactured by Colt for Canadian Forces as the Colt Model 715. The C7 series of firearms is driven by the same direct impingement gas system of the M16 series, and like earlier M16s, it can be fired in either semi-automatic or automatic mode, instead of the burst function selected for the M16A2. The C7 also features the structural strengthening, improved handguards, and longer stock developed for the M16A2. Diemaco changed the trapdoor in the buttstock to make it easier to access and a half-inch spacer is available to adjust stock length to user preference. The most easily noticeable external difference between American M16A2s and Diemaco C7s is the retention of the A1 style rear sights. Not easily apparent is Diemaco\'s use of hammer-forged barrels. Also, Diemaco has developed a different mounting system from Colt for the M203 grenade launcher for the C7 rifle family. The C7 family of weapons can fire 150 rounds at any rate of fire without danger of cookoff.