Taxpayers to Fund $8.8 Million Fix for Faulty Military Rifle Stocks
The Canadian military has awarded a new $8.8-million contract to Colt Canada to replace 7,000 faulty stocks on C-19 rifles used by the Canadian Rangers. This comes after the original stocks were found to bleed red dye when exposed to moisture, leaving military personnel with stained hands during use.
Contract Awarded Without Public Announcement
The contract was awarded in December 2025, but no public announcement was made until confirmed by the Ottawa Citizen. Colt Canada originally received a $32.8 million contract to provide the Rangers with the C-19 rifles, which were distributed starting in May 2018.
Military records obtained by the Ottawa Citizen reveal that Rangers immediately reported problems with the red-colored stocks. The lamination on the wood stocks was peeling off, and the stocks couldn't handle moisture. When used in rain, the rifles would bleed red dye onto users' hands.
Original Requirements and Warranty Limitations
Under the original contract, the rifles were required to withstand:
- Extremely cold Arctic temperatures
- Moderate-to-high humidity in coastal regions
- Forest environments where Rangers operate
Despite these requirements, the bolt-action rifles only came with a one-year warranty. The Department of National Defence confirmed in emails that the warranty period had expired, meaning taxpayers must cover the $8.8 million repair contract.
Defence Department Response
In a series of emails in December and January, DND spokesperson Cheryl Forrest stated: "The C19 Ranger Rifle remains an effective and accurate weapon, and it continues to be used by the Canadian Rangers without any safety issues."
Another DND spokesperson, Alex Tétreault, noted in previous correspondence that Colt Canada fulfilled its original contractual requirements based on what was asked. "There are no warranties that address the current issue being faced," Tétreault explained.
Rifle Background and Replacement Timeline
The C-19 rifles were supposed to be an improved version of the Tikka T3 originally developed by SAKO of Finland. A civilian variant of the T3, similar to those used by Canadian Rangers, can be purchased by authorized gun owners in Canada for approximately $3,100.
Deliveries of the new stocks will begin by the end of 2026. However, it remains unclear how long it will take to install the new stocks onto all 7,000 C-19 rifles currently in service.
Colt Canada declined to comment on the new contract, referring all questions to the Department of National Defence. The company continues to maintain its position that it met all original contractual requirements for the rifle's environmental performance.
