The Canadian Rangers (often mistakenly called the Arctic Rangers) are a sub-component of the Canadian Armed Forces reserve that provide a military presence in Canada's sparsely settled northern, coastal, and isolated areas. Formally established on May 23, 1947, a primary role of this part-time force is to conduct surveillance or sovereignty patrols (SOV PATS) as required. The Canadian Rangers are a volunteer force made up of Inuit, First Nations, Métis and non-Aboriginals.
It is a common misconception that the organization is a First Nations entity. The ethnic make-up of the numerous patrols across Canada is entirely an element of geography. Canadian Rangers are paid according to the rank they hold within their patrol and when present on operations or during training events. There are currently approximately 5000 Rangers serving in various communities around Canada. Some Canadian Rangers also conduct inspections of the North Warning System (NWS) sites and act as guides, scouts, and subject-matter experts in such disciplines as wilderness survival when other forces (such as Army units of the Regular Force or Primary Reserve) are in their area of operations.
They made a request for a purpose designed rifle and Steyr submitted this design. There were 15 prototypes built and 12 of these made their way into private collectors hands.
The differences between this rifle and the standard Steyr Scout are as follows:
The Canadian Rangers wear high vis vests and jackets, usually red or orange. The requirements for rifles for them were to also include a high visibility stock. Steyr's solution was to install red/orange inserts in the stock
Steyr was the first choice by the testers, but the Rangers had their hearts set on a wooden stock which Steyr couldn't offer. In the end they chose a special Tikka CTR, Colt C-19 (licence-built Tikka T3 CTR) which will be produced by Colt Canada.
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Sako Tikka T3 CTR |
Unofficially, it appears that Steyr and Colt could not come to any arrangement on production so it was partially a political decision (to keep business in Canada that is).
Please note that I can supply no further information on this rifle, nor are conversion parts available.
Thanks to Michael
Bergh, in Canada for the pictures of the interesting variant.
Photos courtesy of Michael Bergh and John
Kiss
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| Front sight | Rear sight |
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| Note different stock nose. | Stock nose |
Photos courtesy of John Kiss
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Disclaimer
As far as I know all the information presented above is correct and I have attempted to ensure that it is. However, I am not responsible for any errors, omissions, or damages resulting from the use or misuse of this information, nor for you doing something stupid with it. (Don't you hate these disclaimers? So do I, but there are people out there who refuse to be responsible for their own actions and who will sue anybody to make a buck.)
Updated 2021-07-05