Canadian Forces New Sniper Rifle

**Buck** · 01-05-08, 02:38

OTTAWA --- The Department of National Defence has awarded PGW Defence Technologies Inc. a $4.5-million contract for the provision of sniper rifles. The Winnipeg-based company will provide the weapons system, training package, ammunition, spare parts and maintenance support as part of the contract, signed May 13, 2005.

As stated in the new Defence Policy, the government is committed to providing new equipment to the Canadian Forces, assuring they can operate effectively in todays challenging security environment, said Defence Minister Bill Graham. This contract is an example of how we are modernizing our equipment with the assistance of Canadian expertise.

This weapons system, one of the most accurate sniper rifles in the world, is a part of our commitment to improving Canadian Forces capabilities and equipment, said General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff.

This medium range sniper weapon is 8.6mm (.338 calibre) and has a range of 1500m, almost twice that of the C3A1 rifle it is replacing. The new system includes the rifle, magazines, telescopic sight, stand, and carrying case.

Canadian Forces snipers from across the country trialed the rifle at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown and were impressed with its performance. It was also tested at the Canadian Forces Munitions Experimental Test Centre in Valcartier, Que.

The Canadian Forces will begin taking delivery of this small arms system in August 2005. It will be used by Regular Force infantry units across the Army, in both training and operations.

I was just wondering if anyone has seen one of these in the sandbox yet???

**DocGKR** · 01-05-08, 02:59

Some of my Canadian colleagues have deployed with the PGW's in Afghanistan--they are impressive rifles with superb combat field results. I'd much rather use the PGW than an M24, M40A3, or Mk13.

**KevinB** · 01-05-08, 07:20

None of the ones I saw issue to the Army had the folder stock - that was designed for another user group.

Some intial photo's I got of Steve and Ross's proto folder

If you "had" a PVS-22 it would go on the blacked out part...

AFAIK the standard issue is still this model

and Steve added a nice little Maple Leaf on the can

**markm** · 01-05-08, 08:52

They put the MIAD on it!

**thmpr** · 01-05-08, 10:36

A semi-auto version would be nice!

**DocGKR** · 01-05-08, 11:53

"A semi-auto version would be nice!"

Why?

These are .338 Lap Mag sniper rifles. If you want a heavy, bulky semi-auto anti-material weapon, with the ability to hit an APC at 1000 if your lucky, use a Barrett. If you want a portable precision sniper rifle capable of hitting a person in excess of 1500, use a .338 Lap Mag bolt rifle. Few semi-auto's can match the accuracy, durability, and robustness of a bolt gun for long range precision fire. For the intended mission of these rifles, a bolt gun is a superior design.