IS THAT A C7?
C7 Rifle, Regiment Airsoft
If your answer to that question is no, it’s a M16 your both right and wrong at the same time. If your answer to the above question is, no it’s a C7A2, you’re as right as you’re going to get.
Today’s word “Soft” short for Airsoft gun.
“Going to try out my new Soft today at the field.”
Let me first start by saying THE NAME OF YOUR SOFT ISN’T IMPORTANT, read that again for emphasis, and again, and again….. The arguments at the field as to what the proper name is of the Soft someone is carrying isn’t important.
Don’t send hate mail, and/or manifestos describing the AR15 rifles, this isn’t designed to be a comprehensive guide to the AR15 family of rifles, just an explanation of names.
Let’s take for example the rifle shown. The proper designation is the C7A2, used by the Canadians. Similar to the US army using the “M” designation the Canucks use “C”.
Designed and licensed off the Colt 750, which is based off the AR15 rifle and manufactured by Colt Canada. The rifles made in that factory are used by many countries including The Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom and also Denmark where it is designated the M/96.
So now you have a rifle based off the AR15 called the Colt 750, licensed to a factory which has modified it and called it the C7, sold to a country which has designated it the M/96.
Of course if there is a “A2” there must have been older models, the A1, which are another sub section of the rifle.
Also carbine version of the rifle, called the C8, is another sub group, with other sub variants C8A2, C8SFW heavier barrel, and a C8CT custom tactical to further add to the name game.
Too further go down the “lets make more names and complicate the most basic of items” hole, you have the Diemaco LSW
(light support weapon) heavier barrel with a boxy hand guard. Fully automatic fitted with a drum mag, called the m/04 by Denmark and made in the same factory back when Colt Canada was called Diemaco.
This is just one Small Canadian factory manufacturing rifles and we already have multiple names for the same rifle.
I have purposely omitted the US army designations for the various rifles and carbines made in the USofA because the list will get long quick, M16, M16A2, XM177E2, M4, etc the list would do on and on and on…
Then we get into Civilian designations for this style of rifle, Colts AR15, Bushmaster XM15 adds to the name game.Then you get into rifles based on the AR15 by other manufactures like Heckler and Koch’s, HK416.
Last and not least is the Airsoft Versions of the rifles, and after market accessories. If I acquire a GC7A1 by G&G, Is that the proper name to use? Or Let say I purchase a G&P M16A3, and install after market green furniture, adjustable butt stock and an Alcan onto my rifle, Do I have a C7A2? or do I have an M16A3 with green
furniture and collapsible stock? Does it really matter what I call it? no it doesn’t.