The C19 is proving to be popular with the Rangers . It had a few teething problems , nothing major , but that isn't unusual in any new weapons platform . I recently had the opportunity to acquire an ex Ranger Longbranch No4 Mrk1* . It belonged to a friend's late father ( I said no , it should stay in the family , it went to a nephew instead ) . It is a testament to the durability of these rifles . It had been rode hard and put away wet for many years , but it still worked perfectly . There is a large portion of the Rangers that still prefer the Lee Enfield , can't say I blame them .
You bring up a good point about synthetic stocks . Deep cold does make them susceptible to breakage , and the Rangers are very hard on equipment lol .
AB
I'm not surprised that the C19 is popular. Yes I am aware of a few initial niggles, soon sorted. I understand that it is expected to have a service life of 30 years. And yet their very youngest Lee Enfield No 4s would have been from 1955. 67 years old today (same as mine, Fazakerley Irish Contract No 4 Mk 2, which I bought brand new, over 15 years ago, last rifle I'll be selling). But, gulp, apparently ones like mine sell for up to $2000 nowadays in the US. I'd better not say what I paid for mine
I do think mine would be not far from the performance of the new thing, realistically, in the circumstances. Just a bit longer (better sight radius). and the weaker 303 round compared with the heavy 180 gr 308 cartridge. But there again, I don't intend to shoot polar bears at -50C with mine, though clearly it used to do the job well enough.
Here is an interesting vid, well at least to me, comparing the two.
It is also shorter stocked than the Tikka civilian version, presumably to better fit the majority of the people who field it, particularly in suitable clothing in the cold. Though it also comes with butt plate extensions too. As well a a Pelikan case, field service and cleaning kit, sling, soft case, etc. etc.
TBH I can't see an optic being much use at -50C, one puff of moist breath on it and it would be fogged/frozen up for the duration.
Whilst the Tikka T3x Arctic version seems like a very expensive purchase on the civilian market it's not quite the same thing (over £4000 here, for wannabees).
According to Wikipedia The Rangers have bought 6,500 of them, at $Canadian 2,500 each. (About £1600 at todays exchange rates, plus tax of course) And presumably a good spares supply.
Doesn't seem too expensive.
They are as well set up to manufacture their own specific ammunition, using a Nosler 180 gr Accubond, to meet their specific requirements.
The C19 has the following modifications from the original Tikka T3 CTR:
Larger bolt handle and enlarged trigger guard to accommodate gloved hands
Protected front and rear iron sights
Laminated stock in unique red colour with Ranger badge
Two-stage trigger with three-position safety
The T3x also comes with the commercial version bolt shroud and cocking piece, lacks the multi-position QD sling loops of the C-19. Rather being fitted with Uncle Mikes mounting studs on the underside
).
