BURST
Canadian Rangers who use their new rifles in the rain are finding their hands covered in red dye because the stocks on the weapons can’t handle moisture, according to newly released military records.
The problem was discovered in May 2018 as the new C-19 rifles were initially being distributed to Canadian Ranger units as part of a $32.8-million contract with Colt Canada. The .308 C-19, which is equipped with a red stock, replaced the Lee Enfield .303 rifle that had been used by Canadian Rangers since 1947.
Under the contract, the new rifles were required to withstand extremely cold temperatures in the Arctic as well as moderate-to-high humidity in the coastal and forested regions of the country.
“Obviously from a health and safety perspective having dye released onto the skin is not a good situation,” Arthur Hall, who is with the Department of National Defence’s small arms program, noted in a May 9, 2018 email regarding the C-19.
Further complaints continued to come in from Ranger units who also found the stocks were cracking.
“The issue is that when exposed to moisture the red dye in the stock will run, and will discolour the hands of the user,” Luke Foster of the Directorate of Soldier Systems Program Management, pointed out in a July 3, 2018 email. “This is also an indication that the stocks are not properly protected from the elements.”
One report from an officer assigned to the Rangers noted he took his new rifle outside in the rain for only five minutes before returning indoors. Once back inside he noticed the weapon was dripping red dye. “I held the weapon for approximately 5-10 mins and it stated to stain my hand,” Captain T.M. Collier wrote in a May 9, 2018 email.
The documents, acquired by the Ottawa Citizen, were released under the Access to Information Act.
Department of National Defence officials, however, say it will be up to taxpayers to cover the costs of replacing the stocks on the 6,800 new rifles. That cost is estimated to be up to $10 million.
“The performance requirements detailed performance against specific environmental conditions (cold, wet, etc), and the C19 met these criteria,” DND spokesperson Alex Tétreault stated in an email to the Ottawa Citizen. “Therefore, Colt Canada fulfilled its contractual requirements, based on what was asked. There are no warranties that addresses the current issue being faced.”
Tétreault also noted that the issue “only became apparent and reported after extended field usage in extreme climatic conditions leading to cycles of expansion and contraction in the stock. This was not observed during Initial Operational Capability training; it only became apparent in the last two months before the end of deliveries.”
But the DND records show that claim isn’t true. The internal documents show that Rangers complained about the C-19s during Initial Operational Capability training, and that the problems with the rifles materialized after only a brief exposure to moisture at times.
The documents also pointed to problems with the main firing component on the rifles.
The Ottawa Citizen initially reported in March about the ongoing issues the C-19 stocks. In addition, the lamination on rifle’s wood stocks was peeling off.
Soldiers tipped off the Ottawa Citizen about the problems because they believed the Canadian Army and DND leadership were misleading the public about the effectiveness of the weapon and how tax dollars were being spent.
But Tétreault said in his email that the C-19 rifle “remains an effective and trustworthy weapon that is liked by its users.”
Colt Canada did not provide comment.
The Canadian Rangers are reservists living in remote and isolated communities across Canada. Their responsibility is to protect Canada’s sovereignty in the north and other remote areas.
“The follow-on contract for the new stocks has not been awarded yet,” Tétreault noted in the email. “It is anticipated to be awarded early this fall.”
It will take three years for the new wood stocks to be phased in, according to DND.
The C-19 rifles are supposed to be an improved version of the Tikka T3 originally developed by SAKO of Finland.
David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe