r/canadaguns • u/EI_CEO_CFT • Apr 03 '26
Buy recommendations Legal rifle most similar to C7/AR15?
I know legal is in the title and I'm begging you guys not to let this devolve into a conversation about legislation; I just want something I can take up north to fuck around with in peace. Onto the post.
I'm in the CAF and my unit doesn't get as much time as I'd like with the rifles. Before that gets sensationalized, I'm not in a trade where thats as relevant anyway - however when we go on tactical exercises I don't like having to take a minute to remember my stoppage drills, field stripping, etc. I'm looking for any rifle, any calibre, that functions the same way as the C7. I know I could get an airsoft clone but I'd prefer to have something that fires. Of course, anything closer to 5.56/.223 Remy ammo would be nice, but Im looking for the cheapest thing that works and fires real ammunition and is legal. Any recommendations are appreciated!
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u/IntelligentGrade7316 Apr 03 '26
Everything even remotely AR 15 ish has been prohibited. There are a couple cosmetic similar in appearance at a glance, but not in semi auto function.
As a former CAF member who lost the legal use of his personality acquired mags to the pinned police, but at least had use of his personal AR clone, I feel your pain. I can still run stoppage drills and assemble / disassemble practice, just no live fire now.
Stupid government. They were stupid in the 90's, but they have gotten stupider.
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u/EI_CEO_CFT Apr 03 '26
Appreciate you, thanks for the advice and hope we can get something similar soon. May I ask how long you were in? Reservist here and trying to plan my career haha
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u/EatAss-FartFast Apr 07 '26
Colt Canada Diemaco SA20 for life! It was the only thing that made me a competent shooter since the only time we’d ever take out the C7A2s were for PWTs. But the idiots in Ottawa think there’s no reason for civilians to own a semi-auto C7. Well now you know why our reservists and non-combat arms folks negligently discharge or can barely be trusted with a broom stick. Perhaps there was a legitimate use for them after all.
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u/tyler111762 Resident Certified Millennial Punk Apr 03 '26
Straight pull converted to semi auto.
Legality of this is hotly contested, and is what I like to call "playing fuck-fuck games with the law"
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u/Automatic-Height4246 Apr 03 '26
Its legal in Canada technically as long as the straight pull is not banned directly by name, slap a gas system from ar onto it, and when it also accepts bolt action mags then u can hold more rounds too
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u/Keelunn Apr 05 '26
which gas system is even available to use for this? i’m curious about doing this. It’s either i drop the money on an Alcor with the CA kit, or spend the money on the ever so hated MRA Ren MK2.. neither of which is my fav idea
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u/ImpossibleWitness505 Apr 04 '26
Not happening, RCMP said it was illegal.
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u/tyler111762 Resident Certified Millennial Punk Apr 04 '26
RCMP opinion does not equal legal fact.
But they will arrest you and let the court sort it out.
Like I said.
Fuck-fuck games.
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u/ImpossibleWitness505 Apr 04 '26
They’ve shutdown who offered the service.. good luck finding a company to do this service for you.
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u/SierraRomeoJuliet Apr 03 '26
Only decent center fire semi left is the SKS. And my suggestion would be to get one while you can. No, i know its not like a C7, yes I know it's expensive.
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u/siming_z Apr 05 '26
Idk why people keep forgetting about M1 Garand??
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u/SierraRomeoJuliet Apr 05 '26
I was just speaking in terms of anything remotely modern (which I realize even the SKS isn't)
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u/Reasonable_Hall2346 Apr 03 '26
Nothing that would function the same. The closest you can get is a straight-pull or pump action:
MRA Renegade: https://mapleridgearmoury.com/renegade/
SCSA Taipan X: https://www.scsa-au.com/taipan-x
There might be a few others in a straight pull as well. If you are looking for semi-auto for drills, you are limited to 22lr. Either the TM22 or Adler Arms RF224. Although these are not going to be stripped similar to AR nor would they be manipulated the same.
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u/EI_CEO_CFT Apr 03 '26
Thanks for the honest advice I wont find anything legal that functions similar. Ill look into both of those and compare with my budget. Appreciate you mate!
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u/Reasonable_Hall2346 Apr 03 '26
Ofc, anytime. There is also the "TROY Straight Pull", but all these are expensive unfortunately. If you want to practice, cheapest bet on both rifles and ammo would be the TM22 or the cheaper Adler Arms RF224 but comes with questionable quality. None of these are any way related to the AR, but its the closest thing you can have to a "tactical" rifle and the skills will translate to the C7. Train the fundamentals with a TM22 and practice whenever your unit can with the C7.
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u/TheEverElusiveSasq Apr 03 '26
Your best bet is probably the MRA Renegade in .223, it’s a spring assist-straight pull unfortunately but aesthetically it looks like an AR15 and someone correct me if I’m wrong but I do believe it uses a standard AR BCG. I do know it uses standard AR mags and accessories.
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u/number75 Apr 03 '26
It does not use a stndard AR BCG, the MRA BCG has been modified to accept a bolt handle.
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u/EI_CEO_CFT Apr 03 '26
Thankyou, MRA Renegade looks to be the most recommended here! Ill look into it.
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u/Ilikechainsaws09 Apr 03 '26
The only way I got better with my c7, was training more with my c7/8. There is not, unfortunately, any legal rifle that will help you out. The manual of arms is the armalite rifle, nothing comes close.
It sucks because unless you are combat, and even then, the training can be sparse without a nice ammo budget.
This might sound blasphemous but maybe an airsoft ar would work better? Forward assist, proper charging handle. Could imagine the stoppages I would guess? Tap and rack...
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u/EI_CEO_CFT Apr 04 '26
I appreciate the advice - I want to do PLQ after DP1 and in BMQ i struggled the most remembering the correct order to do my stoppage drills and know Im gonna be even rustier now and thatll be even worse. Maybe youre right about airsoft thanks :)
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u/OperatorBadger Apr 03 '26
The closest thing in semi would be the crusader arm backland hunter which is an ar15 upper hacked to a benelli m4 lower, downsides are it's a CA product and they're known for bad QC and bad customer service also the rifle isn't cheap.
Next best thing would be the MRA renegade which is straight pull but for function/feel it's a lot like a ar15/c7 expect for side charging and being straight pull and no Forward assist. Only real downside I see is it's not cheap.
I think there's a couple 22s around that share some AR functions and are decently cheap but I'm not sure. There are other semis out there like the SKS but those have some crazy price gouging now. Airsoft has a bunch of cheap ar15 style rifles that clone the real ones pretty good, some c7 clones too.
Hope this helps.
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u/Murray3-Dvideos Apr 04 '26
Was using my MRA Renegade MKII at the range today. It has a bolt release just like real ARs. Every time I pressed it and heard that springy clACK of the rifle going into battery.... it brought back sooo many fond memory's of a better Canada.
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u/hafetysazard Apr 04 '26
If you want Canadian military issue, look at their shotguns and bolt-action rifles. Longbranch Lee-Enfield are sweet!
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u/Few_Lynx2224 Apr 04 '26
I'm in the same situation as you, I have found the best solution is to train malfunctions with some sort of $150-$200 replica (I have an airsoft gun) and then train marksmanship with a legal .223/5.56. I'm trying for boarding party so I use an Alcor .223 semi at fairly close range, but if you want more AR feel I would get a MRA renegade and work on 100-200 yard shooting. Depending on your trade and the likely range of a contact I would choose based on that. For example army logistics would likely be defending a FOB at 50-600 meters so I would get a straight pull with a prism scope (or maybe an lpvo depending on how long you think it will take for you to get the C8A4) and work on some longer range shooting. If you think you are more likely to want to train closer stuff (ex. Navy trades, mp, aircrew that can be downed in enemy aor) I would get a semi like the alcor, or chimera. I have not mentioned the crusader arms backland hunter because it is likely to be banned in a few months when it gets its FRT, but if you are willing to take the risk and spend the money it has almost the exact same operating system as an AR 15. Sorry for the essay.
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u/EI_CEO_CFT Apr 04 '26
Dude dont apologize this is the EXACT kind of advice i was looking for, thankyou! My trade practically never uses arms and is the kind where if we ever needed to, we've been overrun and things have gone catastrophically wrong lol. We can be attached to infantry though which is something Id like to do one day if given the opportunity. I appreciate the hell out of your post, especially including your considerations for whatll likely be banned spon.
It seems more and more like airsoft gun is the best option. Do you have any recommendations for a replica C7 that can be stripped down similarly?
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u/Few_Lynx2224 Apr 04 '26
The "WE TECH M16A3 GAS BLOW BACK RIFLE - OPEN BOLT" from Toronto airsoft looks like it would work well, you could take the carry handle off and replace it with a C79 clone
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u/IndividualCertain358 Apr 03 '26
i mean it use to be the colt SA20 but... Banned. nothing will really follow suit for the c7/c8. Liberals have banned anything that has a assault "Style"
you should be doing TEOT anytime your being issued rounds.
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u/2016YamR6 Apr 04 '26
Akdas Alcor is a semi auto 223 and you can get the crusader arms kit to make it take AR stock/grip and an MLOK hand guard + 10 round mag. It’s as good as it gets for now.
I have an RF224 kitted out for max cope
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u/AsparagusUnhappy5395 Apr 04 '26
I have a kitted RF224 for cope as well lol. The Kodiak Defense kit that isn’t out yet is catching my eye for the Alcor as well.
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u/Livid-Basket-9193 Apr 04 '26
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u/Livid-Basket-9193 Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
Chimera NR and Fun. AR mags... customizable, tommy enterprises has a MLok front hand guard. You can buy it with the adjustable stock and pistol grip...save buying after market
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u/Iokua_CDN Apr 04 '26
With the Straight pull MRA Renegade, it won't be like shooting the C7, but I wonder if it would be better for emulating your stoppage drills etc. You don't need semi auto for that.
As for as shooting, perhaps a 22lr semi auto, or a 223 Turkish gun like the Alcor is going to be very different doe takedown, however would be closest for shooting practice.
Or option 3, more accurate airsoft for practicing drills, and then the second option for shooting practice
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u/The_Obvious_Monkey Apr 05 '26
Regardless of how many times a year your unit does IBTS, they must provide TOETs (wepon handling refreshers) and they must ensure everyone knows how to safely handle their weapon. That's a basic requirement of the RSO (range safety officer). Everyone must be able to handle their weapon safely, or risk getting booted from going to the range.
Now that being said, if the person still doesn't feel comfortable handling the weapon, they can ask for more one-on-one lessons. Believe me, if you're only going to the range once a year it's highly likely you're not the only one at your unit going through this.
Lastly, check your DMs.
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u/canvanman69 Apr 03 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
Honestly, ignore chasing functionality similar to the C7. You do want a 5.56x45 rifle, so adjusting for bullet drop becomes second nature but not a semi-auto as those'll all be banned by the time the gun-grabbing liberals are through.
The CZ 600 Trail is a good choice, as is the Ruger American Ranch. Since they are both bolties, they should be immune to any more gun bans given that they're both magazine fed bolt-action centre-fire rifles. That should allow you to get used to shooting the PWT 3. The barrel length is 16" and the same 1:7 twist rate as service rifles so they'll shoot identically. All while being legal and not having anyone weirded out you taking out a scary black rifle at the range.
For getting used to rifle handling and CQB, some of the guys that I knew were into airsoft. Personally, I cared more about consistently hitting targets in normal field conditions. Bullet drop at various ranges and practical differences in MOA accuracy with 55 grain M193, 62gr FMJ, 62gr M855, 69gr OTM, and 77gr SMK. Those differences all add up when shooting prone at 200-400m snap targets.
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u/EI_CEO_CFT Apr 04 '26
Really appreciate your writeup and the detail you put into it, especially your mentioning of CAF courses and your minding what might become outlawed soon; thats all exactly what I was thinking about. Specifically, PLQ/PLP where I need to be so adept at my drills that I can teach them without error. This is why Im looking for something as similar as possible as I know certain arms may lack the same features/order of operations the C7 has, if that makes sense. So to be frank I care less about accuracy and more about similar function so i can really dial in that training. Ill check out the CZ 600 Trail, thankyou for all your considerations!
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u/canvanman69 Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
Bare in mind the CZ 600 Trail had a recall awhile back. This was an error on the part of the CZ armourer/technician failing to properly tighten the barrel as you can swap the barrel and caliber on the CZ 600 Trail but it did seriously injure them.
So keep that in mind. CZ 600 Trail is very cool as you can change from a compact 16" barrel to a longer range 20-24" barrel, but you do need to check head spacing and that the barrel nuts are actually tightened properly, or you could suffer catastrophic results. See Kentucky Ballistics on Youtube for why you do not want that to happen. It's also a $1500+ rifle vs the Ruger which'll only set you back about $1000. Leaving $500 to pickup a suitable 4x optic or LPVO set to 4x.
As I said, go with airsoft if you want all the functional switches, safeties, order of operations, stoppage clearing drills, etc to become second nature. But short of joining law enforcement and maybe getting some range time if you're lucky, you are not getting a magazine fed semi-auto in Canada similar to the C7, or any military style rifle for that matter. Rimfire caliber's with 10 round magazines and 9mm/pistol caliber carbines will likely be next on the chopping block.
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u/TaleofWoes Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
An airsoft gas blow back rifle (GBBR) would be a good option if you are unable to find something else
These are some good airsoft replica manufacturer options
• VFC • Tokyo Mauri • Double Eagle • WE Tech • GHK
If you want something used check out r/airsoftmarketcanada
Some good websites for new airsoft products are
• AndysAirsoft • BlackBlitzAirsoft • Toronto Airsoft • Trigger Airsoft
If you need further help in the world of GBBR’s there’s a discord called HeavyRecoilClub that has lots of information that could be useful to you
Edit: added Double Eagle to list of manufacturers
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u/aznkid321 Apr 07 '26
I'm former CAF and right now closest thing in my opinion would be the AKDAS Alcor 223 with the Crusader Arms Conversion kit.
https://rdsc.ca/manufacturers/crusader-arms/crusader-arms-alcor-sport-conversion-kit-black.html
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u/IronLover64 Apr 03 '26
Airsoft GBBR