I too met the M-14 in 1967, basic training at Ft. Jackson SC. I was issued an M-14 for most of my tour in South Vietnam which followed beginning October of 1967.

I was very confident with that rifle but as others have said, the gun was useless in full auto unless shooting holes in the air counted for something.

Frankly, I'd like to own the civilian version of the rifle but it is an expensive toy and the nearest hundred-yard range is a 90-minute drive for me.