The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have finally adopted the C8 carbine which is a variant of the M4 manufactured by Colt Canada after four Mounties were killed six years ago in Alberta. These aren’t the first carbines issued to Law Enforcement Canada as they are already in use by the RCMP’s Emergency Reaction Teams as well as other tactical units. Rather, this deployment is much more like the adoption of patrol carbines within US LE to react to an increasingly armed criminal element. Unfortunately, the RCMP is only purchasing 375 carbines and will have to determine the basis of issue.
In addition to the new weapons, the RCMP announced earlier this year the purchase of 6,800 improved bulletproof vests with full deployment by April 1, 2013.
This is the standard C8 package.
1 – Reduced length cold hammer forged heavy barrel
2 – Flash suppressor
3 – Bayonet lug
4 – TRI-AD 1TM MIL-STD-1913 accessory mount
5 – Special carbine chamber and gas system
6 – Accepts all STANAG magazines
7 – Integrated sight rail (Weaver or Picatinny)
8 – Optional ambidextrous controls
9 – Single or double sided sling loop
10 – Standard 4 position buttstock with no slip rubber butt pad
