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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Diemaco / Colt Canada General (Page 1 of 4)
Posted: 5/18/2018 3:22:33 PM EDT
Starting this for general Diemaco / CC information and questions. Here's links to related threads; Diemaco C8 Diemaco /Colt Canada C7A2 The British Mk18 the L119A1 The British Army L119A2 |
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@lerch thanks for starting the thread - beat me to it! here's a cross post from the L119A2 thread.  Here's a clear photo of the receiver extension, extension nut and receiver. You'll notice that the threads are machined away, unlike on the American counterpart, and the extension nut is often referred to as the older Colt style. The reasoning behind the deletion of the threads, and the older style of staked nut was due to the NBC gear requirement of the CF. They determined that the threads and the newer version of the nut - the actual castle nut, had a high risk of cutting the gloves of the CF's NBC gear, should they theoretically ever need to use it. Clearly, that has carried forward into what Colt Canada continues to manufacture. The image also shows Colt Canada's newer style of receiver endplate/sling attachment point. comment if you guys want any more detailed photos of the lower receiver.. or the upper for that matter! Cheers |
Cool info so far, good idea for a thread. I’ll be keeping tabs. I have a complete diemaco upper I love shooting. pc screenshot
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I think your upper receiver was built/assembled by Colt USA. When required, Colt Canada/Diemaco would supply them with blank upper receivers for assembly, but Colt Canada has not produced barrels with M4 cuts etc. Certainly appears to use a Colt Canada receiver, with finishing/assembly by Colt USA. Cheers |
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Quoted:
I think your upper receiver was built/assembled by Colt USA. When required, Colt Canada/Diemaco would supply them with blank upper receivers for assembly, but Colt Canada has not produced barrels with M4 cuts etc. Certainly appears to use a Colt Canada receiver, with finishing/assembly by Colt USA. Cheers |
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Quoted: Thank you, good to know. I don’t have much knowledge on diemaco and that’s why I’ll be reading this thread. The diemaco markings I see are on the upper and bcg, so what you said makes sense. I had no idea they didn’t produce m4 cut barrels. Thanks again And now for something completely different; 
C7A2 with M203A1 |
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Here's my Colt Canada/Diemaco lower with a Colt SOCOM upper.
Build list: Colt 14.5 SOCOM upper receiver Colt Canada/Diemaco complete lower receiver Geissele SMR MK8 Handguard DDC and Super gas block Geissele SD3G trigger group Geissele Super charging handle DDC Geissele maritime bolt catch/release Eotech EXPS 3-0/ G33 magnifier TAN Eoetch ATPIAL-C TAN Surefire M300 Mini scout/SR07 dual switch Magpul PRO’s Magpul M-LOK Vertical grip Arisaka M-LOK offset scout mount Magpul Type 2 M-LOK rail panels 
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Nice looking rifle! However I ask this question - should we use this thread as a catch-all for posts of builds that may utilize Colt Canada parts, or should we keep this to technical/nuanced information about Colt Canada products. I'm a huge fan of the latter, and think if you want to share photos of your stuff, post them in general build discussions. Furthermore, Colt Canada does not produce an "IUR lower Receiver". IUR stands for Integrated Upper Receiver, meaning their monolithic series of upper receiver products. Simply trying to keep nomenclature and misunderstanding to a minimum so that incorrect information is not spread. Cheers |
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This should be a technical thread. 100%
Here is a copy and paste of a great post by RebelRouser from the retro section Quoted: 
The first C7 were built by Colt USA with all Colt marked parts and a Canadian made cold hammer forged barrel. All the upper were marked C H. They are easily identified because they only have a "l" for the sight adjustments. Which means la gauche or left. Right doesn't translate properly so it was milled off the receiver, so it wouldn't confuse the french speaking soldiers. 
This is the intermediate transitional receiver. It has a C H and a Devtek stamped in the middle of it. The one in my collection says it was made in 1989 on the package. 
This is the last of the C7 receivers made. They were built on Canadian Waltech forgings. Receiver has the Devtek and the Triple Nested W indicating Waltech forgings. |
Let's talk take-down pins;
For as long as I can remember, every C7 and C8 I've handled (up to and including C7A2's and C8FTHB/A2's) have had recessed (on left side) take-down pins (as seen on my C8 clone at top). This isn't a case of old lowers being recycled, because while they are, no Weapons Tech has solid pins in their shop, they just aren't there. Now, Colt Canada has since used solid pins for their commercial sales models (IUR and SA15.7/SA20), but much like the sling plate, these have yet to trickle into military stocks. Further to that, from Nordic, they've received and parted out a few C8's that had pins recessed at both ends. I can't speak to the application these saw; if they were "gen 1" or just the first batch of replacement pins from Colt for the C7 and C8, but they existed to some extent. |
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How come Diemaco never did the M4 feed ramps? Why didn't they experience the reliability issues that the US did and had to fix? |
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Do all Colt Canada uppers have that steel insert on the CH catch? Can you take the insert out or replace it? If someone could go into detail it would be nice, it's an interesting feature. 
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Quoted: Diemaco solved the feeding issues earlier with a heavier buffer. The US used feedramps and a heavier buffer. I believe Larry Vickers mentioned this in a video, and noted one or the other will solve the feeding issue (in full auto) Someone confirm. |
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Quoted: IIRC, Colt sold them as needed for the M4 so they could keep an M4 contract and have licenses, and in reality, you either needed M4 feed ramps or a heavy buffer and not both. Someone confirm. |
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Quoted:
Thank you, good to know. I don’t have much knowledge on diemaco and that’s why I’ll be reading this thread. The diemaco markings I see are on the upper and bcg, so what you said makes sense. I had no idea they didn’t produce m4 cut barrels. Thanks again Keep in mind, Diemaco M4 uppers are not the same as Diemaco Weaver uppers and Diemaco/Colt Canada 1913 uppers. They have different specifications in the way the forges are milled. Diemaco doesn't produce "M4" barrel cuts for Colt/LMT M203s, but Diemaco for some C8 models (like the C8A2) have barrel cuts like an M4, but it's closer to the front sight base made for Diemaco manufactured M203 launchers. The Diemaco M203 barrel mounts are notorious for being really heavy unlike their Colt/LMT counterparts. 
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Quoted: BarrelandForge basically nailed it on the head. Some time ago, Colt ran low on upper receiver forging blanks for their M4 contracts (post 9/11), so Colt was able to get USA made forging blanks (Anchor Harvey/Cerro Fabricated Products) from Diemaco in Canada. That is why some Colt LE marked AR-15A2 carbines and LE6920 carbines have Diemaco uppers and bolt carriers. Also about a quarter or less of all M4 rifles in US service have M4 marked Diemaco uppers like yours. Keep in mind, Diemaco M4 uppers are not the same as Diemaco Weaver uppers and Diemaco/Colt Canada 1913 uppers. They have different specifications in the way the forges are milled. Diemaco doesn't produce "M4" barrel cuts for Colt/LMT M203s, but Diemaco for some C8 models (like the C8A2) have barrel cuts like an M4, but it's closer to the front sight base made for Diemaco manufactured M203 launchers. The Diemaco M203 barrel mounts are notorious for being really heavy unlike their Colt/LMT counterparts. http://www.military-today.com/firearms/c8.jpg |
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The only realistic source in the US is one of the "ban era" 6721 or 6520s.
Here is the clone I built about 5 years ago; It was built on a LEO 6721. I built it into a C8A3 clone. The 6721 came with the "Made in Canada" lower, upper, bolt carrier. It also had the Colt Canada receiver extension. The barrel was the 6721 barrel, and had it turned down to the proper profile, and a faux sleeve made. Stock set was the original Colt set that came with it. I had it ceracoted green. But, the rifle was front heavy (still), and I didn't care for it. (pics may only work if you have the photobucket fix) 
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The rear sight was an M16A1 sight - they always knew they would eventually move to optical sights (at least for combat arms units) and so opted not to move to the more expensive A2 sight. I honestly do not recall the forward assist on the one I was issued in 1987. I think I would have recalled if it were unusually large, though. The C7 I was issued was two-tone - the lower was made by Diemaco and anodised black, the upper was made by Colt and had that odd almost green finish. |
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Quoted:
The rear sight was an M16A1 sight - they always knew they would eventually move to optical sights (at least for combat arms units) and so opted not to move to the more expensive A2 sight. I honestly do not recall the forward assist on the one I was issued in 1987. I think I would have recalled if it were unusually large, though. The C7 I was issued was two-tone - the lower was made by Diemaco and anodised black, the upper was made by Colt and had that odd almost green finish. |
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Quoted:
I had it ceracoted green. But, the rifle was front heavy (still), and I didn't care for it. Quoted:
I had it ceracoted green. But, the rifle was front heavy (still), and I didn't care for it. Quoted:
On the original C7, what type of rear sight aperture was used? Also I heard that the large head forward assists were used. Where they the full round ones or the ones with a side milled flat on it? And speaking of the Canadian M203's...here's mine that I had a couple years back. 
These things are heavy pains in the arse, the mounting unit adds bulk to it. When mounted to a C8, the barrel mount connects solid with the Simon sleeve. |
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I honestly can't remember what I was issued, I thought it was a C7A1, flat top with Elcan but it had black furniture... I wish I had cared enough back then to look All C7A1 rifles had back furniture with a Canadian Weaver top rail receiver along with the same A1 style buttstock. The Canadian Armed Forces did not change the furniture color to green until they upgraded infantry rifles with the Small Arms Replacement Project (S.A.R.P.) program. This program upgraded the C7/C7A1 and various C8 carbines to have ambidextrous controls, green furniture, and the C7 rifle to accept collapsable stocks. This evolves most C7s and C8s to be the C7A2 and the C7A3. |
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Quoted:
The only realistic source in the US is one of the "ban era" 6721 or 6520s. Here is the clone I built about 5 years ago; It was built on a LEO 6721. I built it into a C8A3 clone. The 6721 came with the "Made in Canada" lower, upper, bolt carrier. It also had the Colt Canada receiver extension. The barrel was the 6721 barrel, and had it turned down to the proper profile, and a faux sleeve made. Stock set was the original Colt set that came with it. I had it ceracoted green. But, the rifle was front heavy (still), and I didn't care for it. (pics may only work if you have the photobucket fix) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/Stottman/Stottman013/2.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/Stottman/Stottman013/IMG_5913.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/Stottman/Stottman013/IMG_5914.jpg (Seriously, why on Earth would BCM not make their C8 SFW barrels cold hammer forged?!) |
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Quoted:
The rear sight was an M16A1 sight - they always knew they would eventually move to optical sights (at least for combat arms units) and so opted not to move to the more expensive A2 sight. I honestly do not recall the forward assist on the one I was issued in 1987. I think I would have recalled if it were unusually large, though. The C7 I was issued was two-tone - the lower was made by Diemaco and anodised black, the upper was made by Colt and had that odd almost green finish. |
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any info on this sight? https://s33.postimg.cc/aexf8c1gv/Schermata_2018-06-08_alle_13.08.13.png https://s33.postimg.cc/6ik3cgqsv/Schermata_2018-06-08_alle_13.08.33.png https://s33.postimg.cc/gsmibqqz3/Schermata_2018-06-08_alle_13.08.47.png https://s33.postimg.cc/eo25ak267/Schermata_2018-06-08_alle_13.08.56.png https://s33.postimg.cc/l1r8dvzdb/Schermata_2018-06-08_alle_13.09.19.png I've shot Canadian C8s with those on them and they feel a little flimsy to me but are fine I suppose. |
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Quoted: That's the standard BUIS in use by Canadian Forces. There were early or prototype versions in metal, but the final issue variant is polymer. I've shot Canadian C8s with those on them and they feel a little flimsy to me but are fine I suppose. I don't often see guys using just the BUIS, and those that do usually buy American made carry handles. Years back I was able to get a Diemaco DIS from Denmark and used it until my rifle was destroyed in an accident. |
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I still find large FA's on the A2's at work. If one gets beat up, the techs still have a ton of NOS in their chests to replace it with. |
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Quoted: What's the purpose of using a large FA? I see the use in winter, but again, how many times are you going to use a FA? I would think it would be a better idea to go for an enlarged winter trigger guard over an enlarged FA. |
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Quoted: Canadian SOP when it comes to a winter trigger guard is to push the detent and swing the guard down against the grip, giving room for the gloved firing hand, another little tidbit! |
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Quoted: Yea, I get that, but I don't see the logic behind having a permanently large FA instead of having a winter trigger guard. Simply when we got the C7A2 in from factory, they came with regular small FA. But there's still so much stock leftover from the old days that all our techs still have large FA to replace with. When they run out and order more they'll get the regular small sets, but until then... |
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I'm working on a C7CT clone and trying to hash out some specs regarding optics that were issued. I've found a photo that shows a possible leupold 3.5-10x40 with m3 turrets. Any info on correct optics including reticles would be greatly appreciated. http://i.imgur.com/oSGFKfR.jpg  he's former infantry and last I heard works for Knights.
Can't help you with the scope specifically, though he did mention having a NF 2.5-10x at some point. 
These are all from KevinB aswell, same rifle. ARMS #35 base. For clarity, he does like to personalize, so whatever scopes you see are probably his own. Here's a standard C7CT for reference if you're doing up stamps. 
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| Hey everyone, I am new to AR15.COM and this is my first post here. I can't believe the number of you guys in the US that want the Colt Canada/Diemaco products. May I ask why the interest? You get access to some really cool $hit that we can't even imagine having. |
We Americans like all cool shit, from everywhere. 
Since we have so many knowledgeable people in this thread, what are your opinions of the Colt Canada LSW (any configuration) vs. the Colt IAR. Are both still in production? I know Mexican Marines purchased some of the latter. |
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Quoted:
Hey everyone, I am new to AR15.COM and this is my first post here. I can't believe the number of you guys in the US that want the Colt Canada/Diemaco products. May I ask why the interest? You get access to some really cool $hit that we can't even imagine having. Quoted:
Hey everyone, I am new to AR15.COM and this is my first post here. I can't believe the number of you guys in the US that want the Colt Canada/Diemaco products. May I ask why the interest? You get access to some really cool $hit that we can't even imagine having. Quoted:
We Americans like all cool shit, from everywhere.
Since we have so many knowledgeable people in this thread, what are your opinions of the Colt Canada LSW (any configuration) vs. the Colt IAR. Are both still in production? I know Mexican Marines purchased some of the latter. My LMG is very heavy, and even though it's the A2 version the later guns aren't much lighter. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Diemaco / Colt Canada General (Page 1 of 4)
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