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In September 2014 the Conservative government announced it would issue two contracts to Colt Canada for a new rifle for the Canadian Rangers. Under the first contract, Colt Canada was to manage the design competition and provide 125 rifles.

A second contract would be issued, following testing and any necessary design amendments, under which Colt Canada would produce more than 6,500 rifles to be phased into use for the Canadian Rangers between – at the time according to the government– “mid-2015 and late-2019.”

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Colt Canada provided the 125 rifles, which were tested and received rave reviews from the Rangers. A few minor changes were made and Colt is ready to go into full production.

But Colt Canada’s Warren Downing told Defence Watch that the second contract – for actual production – has yet to come. “We’re hoping by the end of June,” he explained.

Downing didn’t have an explanation on the delay. But sources tell Defence Watch that the usual slowness of the procurement bureaucracy is behind the delay.

The new rifle, called the C-19, is based on the SAKO T3 CTR (Compact Tactical Rifle). It is in .308 calibre.

Colt Canada will also manufacture spare parts and provide accessories, such as cases and trigger safety locks.

The new rifle will replace the Lee Enfield the Rangers still use.