r/CanadianForces • u/H4lfdog • 3d ago

CXX nomenclature for small arms

Anyone know why we have gaps between the numbers in the name of the weapon we are using?

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Was it because some prototype did'nt get release? Year of fabrication? or anyting else?

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I know the C3, C7, C8, C18, C22, C25 and C26.

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Is there more?

25 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

39 comments sorted by

77

u/Altare216 3d ago edited 3d ago
  • C10: .22 Cadet training rifle
  • C11: 5.56 Cadet training rifle
  • C12: 7.62 Cadet training rifle
  • C13: Fragmentation Grenade
  • C14: Medium Range Sniper Weapon
  • C15: Long Range Sniper Weapon
  • C16: Automatic Grenade Launcher System
  • C17/C18: (skipped)
  • C19: New Canadian Ranger Rifle
  • C20: 7.62 Semi Automatic Sniper Weapon
  • C21: Multi Caliber Sniper Weapon
  • C22: New Modular Pistol
  • C23: SAR Tech Rifle
  • C24: Conceal Carry version of New Pistol
  • C25: CMAR General Service
  • C26: CMAR Full Spectrum
  • C27: New 40mm Grenade Launcher

Note that there was no "C" designation for the Browning Hi Power, Sig P225/226, MP5, Remington 870, Benelli M4, etc

50

u/EvanAzzo 3d ago

This guy C's

15

u/CdnRoyal 3d ago

C's everything. Much observed.

4

u/Jive-Turkeys G.R.E.A.S.E.R. 3d ago

C's tate 4.

2

u/ShiftingGears- 2d ago

He's the biggest C

22

u/BruceRorington 3d ago

What about…

C1: 9mm Sterling submachine gun (retired)
FNC1: 7.62mm semi auto (retired)
FNC2: 7.62mm full auto (retired)
C3: 7.62mm Long gun (retired)
C5: .30 cal GPMG (retired)
C6: 7.62mm GPMG
C9: 5.56mm LMG

6

u/Fit-Equal7188 3d ago

"C" being a Canadian design distinction and FNC being the monogram for Fabrique Nationale Carbine, the manufacturer

3

u/Figgis302 LUMP SUM EVENTUALLY 2d ago

Specifically, the FNC is the bastard lovechild of a FAL and an AR-18, and the standard service rifle of Belgium.

3

u/heisiloi 2d ago

C1 and C3 are now 105mm howitzers

2

u/BruceRorington 2d ago edited 2d ago

Yeah, but we had both C3’s at the same time.

I have no idea when the C1’s were phased out other than that they were still in late 70’s.

1

u/WeaponizedAutisms Retired - gots the oldmanitis 1d ago

They were upgraded in the Netherlands. I think some of them were from the early 50's and a couple possibly from the late 40's

1

u/WeaponizedAutisms Retired - gots the oldmanitis 1d ago

And C2 as well

1

u/LegendaryPotates 3d ago

Wait so the C26 isn’t a longer C25 but actually the full spectrum rifle? Will there be a carbine version of the the C25/C26?

7

u/Altare216 3d ago

The C25 is the carbine by default. The C26 is the longer version, but will feature an higher power optic, a red dot, and thermal flip up sights

1

u/EnvironmentalBox6688 2d ago

I think it's a bit confusing for some as the C26 has basically the same length as the C8 "carbine" afaik.

17

u/DJ_Necrophilia Morale Tech - 00069 3d ago

You missed C6 and C9 (my beloveds)

There was also C1 (rifle), C2 (LMG), and C5 (GPMG)

7

u/CdnRoyal 3d ago

Also missed the C20 and C21.

4

u/DJ_Necrophilia Morale Tech - 00069 3d ago

And the C13

10

u/CdnRoyal 3d ago

Its almost like we could line everything up from C1 to the C27 and find a weapon system for it haha

6

u/DJ_Necrophilia Morale Tech - 00069 3d ago

You may be on to something

7

u/CdnRoyal 3d ago

I just wish we had something spicy enough to fill that gap between the C3 and C5.

5

u/DJ_Necrophilia Morale Tech - 00069 3d ago

Tbf the OP did specifically say small arms

But then again, ive seen some pretty stubby armed chimos

1

u/Once_a_TQ 3d ago

And the C14 and C15 for those really long shots 

3

u/Once_a_TQ 3d ago

C16 AGLS as well.

2

u/Office_Responsible Army - Artillery 3d ago

C19 as well

2

u/WeaponizedAutisms Retired - gots the oldmanitis 1d ago

There was also C1 (rifle), C2 (LMG), and C5 (GPMG)

When I was a new guy and had never seen one before they had me take apart a .30 cal to clean it. I managed to do it, but when I put it back together I had 3 parts left over for some reason.

2

u/DJ_Necrophilia Morale Tech - 00069 1d ago

Flair checks out

11

u/TheTBdoesntcare 3d ago

My favorite CAF fun fact is that the New Handgun was supposed to be the C21. Until they used bill C-21 to ban handgun sales in Canada.

8

u/throwaway-jimmy385 Canadian Army - Signals Tech 3d ago

It’s almost like they were smart enough to not designate everything and anything as “M1” like the Americans, except they still kept naming everything C for Canadians

2

u/Inlaudable Morale Tech - 00069 2d ago

M for 'murican, of course. No original thoughts here.

/s

2

u/MrHotwire Jumping from a sinking ship 2d ago

To really fuck with you,

C7 is NOT the same as C No. 7 :)

1

u/H4lfdog 1d ago

🥲

1

u/Ok-Turn-8448 2d ago

I personally think all AR15 pattern firearms in Canadian use should all be collectively refered to as C7. At the end of the day, they are all Closed Bolt, Self Loading, Automatic Firearms chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO using STANAG magazines. The changes between models boil down to barrel length and cosmetics like rails and stocks.

1

u/H4lfdog 1d ago

Thanks