According to Schmidt & Bender GmbH, the Department of National Defence in Canada have decided to equip their new C20 semi-automatic precision rifles, made by Colt Canada, with 3-20×50 PMII Ultra Short riflescopes from the German manufacturer.

In an order said to be worth CA$8.5 million, the Canadian Army ordered around 300 C20 Semi-Automatic Sniper Weapon in 7.62x51mm. The C20 is developed from the C7/8 family of 5.56x45mm rifles which is in Canadian service already.

C20 – Picture by Colt Canada

Schmidt & Bender are now supplying the Canadian Department of National Defence with their 3-20×50 PMII Ultra Short riflescope. The “Ultrashorts” are great riflescope for any type of AR-based rifle, where space on top of the Picatinny is tight, but you still want to be able to use the C20’s ballistics and range to its full extent with the help of the optic. Note that it looks like you don’t need to use a cantilever mount on the C20, which would be weaker by default.

To give you an idea of other customers, the German Army uses a 3-20 PMII for their G28 Designated Marksman Rifle (HK417), but not the Ultra Short version. Germany also ordered a similar riflescope even before they chose the G26 rifle! Read more in our recent brief: S&B Secures Optics Contract for German Short Range Sniper Rifle. France ordered the 1-8×24 PM II ShortDot Dual CC for their FN SCAR 17.

What is unique for Canada is that the coating is a special order: COYOTE M17 TAN color.

This Cerakote coating is called Cerakote Elite M17 Coyote Tan and described by them as warm, earthy brown.

The Canadian choice of reticle is the T3, Tremor3 (FFP).

Here’s how Schmidt & Bender describes their 3-20×50 PM II Ultra Short:

The 3-20×50 PM II Ultra Short, with its 34.5 cm length, is the significantly shortened version of the normal 3-20×50 PM II. It was developed for use with attachments on short rifles. The low-profile elevation turret with a large 35 MIL/84 MOA adjustment range can easily be combined with a red dot sight for close distances. The precise parallax adjustment, the brilliant optical performance and a large field of view on low power makes this Ultra Short a perfect scope for medium- and long-range targets.

Here’s a short video explaining the PMII Ultra Short models:

The length is only 34.5 cm.

C20 – Picture by Colt Canada

The Danish Armed Forces also chose the Colt Canada C20 DMR as their new semi-automatic sniper rifle. It will be interesting to see which way they go in terms of optics.

For more information about the Colt Canada C20 check here: https://www.coltcanada.com/c20.html

For more information about the Schmidt & Bender 3-20×50 Ultra Short riflescope check here: https://www.schmidtundbender.de/en/products/police-military-forces/3-20×50-pm-ii-ultra-short.html

If our wishes come true, we will have an Ultra Short in Coyote Tan to review during the year. Until then, you can have a look at the 3-27×56 PMII High Power Riflescope. That article also tells an interesting story about USSOCOM‘s requirements, that may fit here as well.

What do you think about Canada’s choice of the C20, the Ultra Short Riflescope, the T3 reticle and the unique color?