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Fourteen of Iqaluit鈥檚 Canadian Rangers gathered just outside of town Monday to train on their new, long-awaited rifles.

Training took place all week, June 14 to 20.

鈥淲e鈥檙e just getting the feel of it, now. They鈥檙e a lot better than the .303. They鈥檙e shorter. They鈥檙e lighter. And better sights,鈥� said Patrol Sgt. Kevin Kullualik.

The C-19 rifle is based on the Tikka T3 and replaces the .303 Lee-Enfield Mark 4, in service in the North since 1947.

The smaller weapon is salt-water tested, cold-weather tested, has a better punch power, and fires longer bullets.

The conventional military weapon is a gas-operated semi-automatic, which is not ideal for the Arctic.

鈥淚n the Arctic you want to use a bolt-action weapon that has minimal moving parts,鈥� said Canadian Forces Master Warrant Officer Ryan Mitchell.

鈥淚t will perform in an austere environment when it鈥檚 -50, -70.鈥�

The bullet is a .308 and will be produced for many years. They can also be bought directly by Rangers. Finally, the trigger guard is larger and can accommodate heavy gloves.

Sgt. Louis Robichaud says the weapon has 鈥済ood longevity.鈥�

Parts are readily available for repairs, unlike the old Enfield.

Robichaud says 1 Canadian Rangers Patrol Group was overdue to receive these new rifles.

鈥淣ow that the rifle鈥檚 getting issued, they鈥檙e happy. They鈥檙e enjoying having some new equipment and trying it out,鈥� he said.

The Rangers will have opportunities to comment over the next year or two on how the C-19 performs.

For now, Kullualik says they seem like an awesome rifle, and appear to be easier to take care of.

鈥淲e鈥檙e training on that, how to clean them, how to maintain the rifle,鈥� he said.

About the Lee Enfields, Kullualik says since the 1940s they鈥檝e been passed on from Ranger to Ranger.

One of the Rangers鈥� responsibilities is to look out for Canadian military personnel on 黑料吃瓜网 exercises, which includes watching out for predators.