C79 optical sight

Adopted in 1989, the Elcan C79 is the primary sighting system for the small arms of the Canadian Forces and is mounted on the Colt Canada C7 and C8 family of rifles, as well as the C9A1 Light Machine Gun.

The C79A2 sight is a component of the C7A2 mid-life update program of the Canadian Forces' inventory of C7A1 rifle systems.

The reticle of the C79 sight was designed to serve on the C9 Light Machine Gun, thus an appropriate pattern was chosen to aid the gunner in judging distance.

Under the left-hand Mil-bar, a second horizontal bar was added for judging distances, where the distance between the two bars would equate to 76 cm at 300 m. The (radioactive) tritium light source is an unstable isotope with a half-life of 12.32 years that gradually loses its brightness due to radioactive decay.

Target shooters will sometimes mark pre-established open gate adjustments with whiteout pens to remind them how many clicks must be made for each range.

The A2 series is the optics mid life upgrade for the C7A2 program as the tritium needs to be replaced every 8 to 12 years of service.

Versions of this optic are made available for the civilian market from Armament Technologies in Nova Scotia, Canada.

The M145 is unusual when compared with other optical sights in use with the United States military in that ballistic compensation is in the mount, rather than in the reticle.

The M145 is extremely resistant to shock and water immersion and has an anti-reflection device and rubber lens caps.

The machinegun's projectile ballistics are zeroed to match these specific distances so that users can quickly engage targets at extended ranges without having to adjust the sight.