Denmark Receives the First Batch of Gevær M/25

As reported by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI), Colt Canada has delivered the first batch of new Gevær M/25 carbines under a contract signed in the summer of 2025.

Gevær M/25 – Denmark Sticks with the AR-15

Successor to the Gevær M/10 A4

The new Gevær M/25 carbines will gradually replace the M/10 carbines in their latest A4 version, which also derive from the AR-15 platform and were likewise supplied by Colt Canada. The Danish Armed Forces have placed their trust in the Canadian manufacturer for decades, as this marks yet another selection of its offering. In the mid-1990s, the first Colt Canada rifles (then operating as Diemaco), the M/95 (C7A1) and M/96 (C8A1), replaced the M/75 automatic rifles (Heckler & Koch G3). By the end of 2026, Colt Canada is to deliver 26,000 weapons, split evenly between black and earth-tone variants.

The Evolution of Danish AR-15 Rifles and the Configuration of the New M/25

The M/95 (C7A1) and M/96 (C8A1) carbines essentially mirrored the standard small arms of the Canadian Armed Forces. At the time of their introduction, they were modern and successful weapons, AR-15–platform carbines produced by the Canadian company Diemaco (later Colt Canada), which to this day enjoy a strong reputation among users, enthusiasts, and industry experts. A particularly interesting chapter in the history of Diemaco carbines in Danish service is the LSV. This is a hand-held light machine gun variant, distinguished by significant modifications that made the AR-15 suitable for sustained automatic fire. These changes included, most notably, a heavy-profile barrel and modifications to the gas system.

In the foreground, a Danish soldier with a 5.56 mm LSV light machine gun / Source: B-AREV via X, author unknown

Several years later, the Danes decided to modernize their small arms. The M/95 and M/96 were replaced by the M/10 carbines (Colt Canada C8 IUR). These incorporated numerous improvements over their predecessors, most notably an adjustable stock (the M/95 had a fixed one) and a redesigned upper receiver with a new handguard that made the barrel free-floating. The handguard featured a full set of Picatinny rails, allowing the mounting of a wide range of accessories in a globally used standard. At the time, the M/10 reflected prevailing trends in AR-15 platform modernization, offering improved ergonomics, accuracy, and flexibility in mounting various types of accessories.

M/10 A2 carbines – note the Picatinny rail handguard, folding front sight, and the well-known ELCAN prismatic sight / Photos: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

Over time, the Danes opted for further modernization, introducing the M/10 A4 (C8 IUR), which remains the standard service weapon of the Danish Armed Forces and will gradually be replaced by the M/25. One of the most important changes introduced in the A4 variant was a significantly longer handguard, providing even greater freedom in mounting accessories and allowing the more forward support-hand placement preferred by many shooters.

Photo: Forsvaret

The latest M/25 represents a further evolution of the C8 platform, being a specially configured C8 MRR (Modular Rail Rifle) for Danish requirements. The most significant change compared to the M/10 A4 is a new upper receiver with a so-called monolithic design. This means that the upper receiver and handguard form a single component. As a result, the entire assembly offers much greater mechanical strength and rigidity. This feature is particularly important when using optoelectronic accessories (such as night-vision and thermal clip-ons) and laser aiming devices. Thanks to the monolithic design, the risk of point-of-impact shift caused by flex at the junction between the handguard and the upper receiver is eliminated – because in monolithic upper receivers, such a junction simply does not exist.

Photo: FMI

Although official sources do not specify the barrel length of the M/25, information available on the official website indicates that the presence of seven M-LOK mounting slots suggests a 15.7-inch (398 mm) barrel. It is worth noting that this is longer than the barrel used on the U.S. Army’s M4A1 carbine, which has a 14.5-inch (368 mm) barrel.

As with all previously fielded Diemaco/Colt Canada carbines, the new M/25 employs the classic AR-15 internal gas piston system, also known as direct impingement (DI). While in recent years many armed forces have opted for AR-15–derived rifles with external piston systems, the Danes have remained “faithful” to the traditional solution. Although Colt Canada’s original specifications do not state the gas system length, a proportional comparison with the M4A1 suggests a carbine-length gas system. At this point, it is worth noting that the internal gas piston system is sensitive to gas pressure and the amount of gas diverted through the barrel’s gas port. Of particular importance is the distance between the gas port and the muzzle. The longer this distance, the more gas is delivered to the gas tube, since gas continues to act on the bolt carrier until the projectile exits the barrel. This parameter is referred to as dwell time. Given the barrel length used on the M/25, it can be inferred that the dwell time is relatively long, which may result in an over-gassed system. In the case of Colt Canada, this is likely a deliberate design choice, as many manufacturers intentionally employ slightly over-gassed systems to achieve greater reliability in harsh and dirty conditions. Whether the M/25 is in fact “over-gassed,” however, remains speculative, as dwell time is only one of several key factors influencing the behavior of this gas system.

The barrel is almost entirely enclosed by a long handguard (part of the upper receiver assembly) featuring a top Picatinny rail and M-LOK slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. Combined with the monolithic construction, Danish soldiers receive a carbine with high ergonomics and excellent capability for mounting a wide range of accessories. The monolithic design with its long “handguard” also allows the rifle to be braced against supports without exerting pressure on the barrel – pressure that would typically result in a shift of the point of impact.

Aside from its distinctive monolithic upper receiver, the M/25 does not differ significantly from other AR-15s on the market in terms of controls. Ambidextrous features include the safety/selector, charging handle, and magazine release. Many modern AR-15–platform rifles are equipped with a right-side bolt release; the M/25 does not have one. This does not necessarily constitute a drawback, introducing a new control would likely require changes in training, as this feature was also absent on its predecessors. A right-side bolt release also adds another component and an additional opening in the lower receiver, which can have downsides. A second bolt catch increases the mass that the magazine follower must overcome, potentially affecting reliability, while an additional opening increases the likelihood of debris entering the weapon. Every solution has its pros and cons, and, as recent contracts worldwide show, different approaches to the same issue continue to coexist.

The M/25 is distinguished by its earth-tone finish and is fitted with an ergonomically contoured pistol grip and a Magpul CTR stock.

Accessories for the New Carbine (M/25)

What optics will the M/25 carbines be issued with? According to the Forsvarsministeriets Materiel- og Indkøbsstyrelse (FMI), in December 2025 a contract was signed for the delivery of additional ELCAN SpecterDR 1–4x prismatic sights. The sights will be supplied in a configuration featuring an earth-tone finish and an additional Picatinny rail segment on the housing, allowing the mounting of a red dot sight. As FMI notes, Danish soldiers have been using ELCAN prismatic sights for many years, ranging from older fixed-magnification models to the current SpecterDR with switchable 1–4× magnification. The SpecterDR 1–4× has been employed by numerous military units worldwide for many years and is considered a combat-proven design. That said, there is a noticeable and growing interest in low-power variable optics with wider magnification ranges (LPVO—Low Power Variable Optic).

Gevær M/25 – A New Rifle with a Conservative Approach?

The Gevær M/25 is an interesting example of the evolution of the Diemaco/Colt Canada platform, successive versions of which have entered service with the Danish Armed Forces:

M/95 and M/96 – classic Diemaco carbines,
M/10 – a major modernization introducing ergonomics adapted for soldiers wearing ballistic protection and greatly expanded accessory-mounting options,
M/25 – a further increase in performance, durability, and ease of configuration in line with the latest standards.

Although the M/25 is a modern representative of the AR-15 platform, compared to other newly introduced or recently fielded designs, some of its components reflect a more conservative approach. The carbine-length gas system, for example, has in many counterparts been replaced by longer intermediate solutions (mid-length or proprietary manufacturer designs), which are generally considered better balanced and subject to reduced wear. The absence of a right-side bolt release may be seen by some as a drawback, but within the AR-15 ecosystem this control is regarded by certain experts—and manufacturers—as potentially problematic. One example is the U.S. company Sons of Liberty Gun Works, which omitted this feature on its MK1 rifle for USSOCOM, citing a priority on mechanical simplicity and reliability.

In summary, the M/25 is a modern carbine that remains, at its core, a refined AR-15. Numerous variants and derivatives of this design dominate among special operations units and continue to be adopted by additional armed forces worldwide. The legacy of this now-iconic American design endures, and ongoing improvements and technological solutions continue to strengthen the platform’s position on the global market.

Official FMI statements:

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