I have never been fortunate to shoot one but my brother was in the Army from 1960 -1962. He shot expert with it and said it was the best rifle he has ever shot.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

@Nodpete: I bought that line and signed up for WORWAC (Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Aviation Course) to avoid being drafted.


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Patton would have liked the M-14 better than the Garand.

I had always wanted an M1 Garand. Ended up getting a Springfield M1A NM. Scoped it right away and went to the 200yd range.
A shooter, retired Army, in his 80's was a couple of benches down with his M14. I think he has six. Turns out to be a police sniper instructor. Asked me why I needed a scope with the great sights that came with the rifle. Scope off. He gave me a free lesson and still helps me.
The scope rarely gets used.
I love the rifle. And, yes, Patton would too.
A friend gave me his M6 that he had from Vietnam and I treasure that.
I did finally get the M1 Garand, M1903A3, and an Enfield Rifle No.4 Mk2. Iron sights while I can still see the target.

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

Shot high expert with the M14 on Dog Range at PISC. Carried one through ITR at Gieger. Never fired another one during my tour. Now own a 4 digit Springfield M1A with all H&R parts. Much more accurate tfan I am now. Great piece of walnut and steel.

It was 48 years ago yesterday that I was drafted. I can't remember how soon it was that we were issued our 14's.

I was at Leonard Fall and Winter of '69/'70. Lots of quality time w/ a M14; still my all time favorite rifle. No amount of dirt/sand kept it from firing !

Several posters complained about the M-14 steel butt plate. Never a problem for me, and I'd flip up the butt plate hinged cover for prone firing to keep the rifle placement really consistent.
The only thing that got sore for me was my cheekbone, right under my right eye, from my spotwelded thumb knuckle if we had a lengthy range session.
IIRC, some of those were more than 100 rounds. I remember one rapid fire/reload field of fire exercise burned off 100 rounds rapid fire. Some of the guys made the mistake of touching or grabbing the barrel afterward.
Bad idea. They only did that once.

We didn't know what earplugs were, so I think I lost some hearing, but at the time, the noise didn't seem bad unless somebody fired too close on the right. In that regard, long barrels are a Good Thing.

In Vietnam in 1969 I carried a M-16 from March to September. In September the sniper assigned to my Platoon was wounded. He carried a M-14 Sniper Rifle and as Platoon Sgt. I was told I could carry it for my last 4 months in country. It was very accurate and a hoot to carry with it's scope and Starlite scope at night. It came with match ammo and it was very accurate.

Great stories in this thread

Cory

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Cory
SWCA #3015 SWHF #465

Boot camp San Diego, CA
M14
rifle range, aced the 500 yd target A target
Okinawa M14 in locker C targets
Rifle range, aced the 500 yd line
Camp Pendelton
Rifle range, aced the 500 meter line C targets

I hated the 200 meter off hand. Was always lousy at it. Prone always got me scores

Great rifle, shot and messed with M16s, always qualified with a M14 except when stationed at Philadelphia and the range was at Lake Hurst NJ and we qualified with old M1s.

Ah............some old memories come home to roost!

US Army 1966 - 1974 (2 hitches)......shot the heck out of M-14, got fairly decent at it so when a chance came along to join the 3rd Armored Division Rifle Team, I jumped and went TDY.

Talk about burning taxpayer dollars in ammo....if you didn't roll up a GI (OD green of course) hand towel and turn your fatigue shirt into a "shooters coat" your shoulder would be black and blue for weeks.

Took 1st place in Commanding Generals Trophy Matches in 1967......got an "atta-boy" certificate, held the trophy for photos and never saw it again. I heard the trophy and many others like it ended up at Hood when the Division folded its colors for the last time in the 1990's.

Several years back I had a momentary cramp of nostalgia when I took a Springfield M1A in on a trade, daughter dug around in my old duffel bag, found a OM (Olin Matheson) marked 20 round mag I had brought home ages ago, loaded her up, out to the range.....beat the heck out of my shoulder, cleaned it and last Christmas......gifted it to my son-in-law who just got out of the Army after 8 years. He and my daughter are enjoying it now days on their small farm in Ohio.

Thanks for the memories guys......it has indeed.....been a fine ride!

Attached Images

Rifle Team Europe Accolade.jpg (53.6 KB, 68 views)

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

C-9-2, October 1968, almost opposite of everyone else, we were issued brand spanking new XM16E1s, chrome bolts, three prong flash suppressors and all. Part of some kind of test (they said) as all other basic trainees we saw still had M14s. BRM with M16 was a snap, lots of guys shot expert. Bayonet training, however, broke a few butt stocks. Last week of basic we all had a couple days of training with wood stock M14s.

Fort Knox, April 1969, ANCOCC, was issued fiberglass stocked M14. Butt ugly, with a pinkish brown hue, but shot OK; no problem qualifying expert. Ours were issued without the selector, but everyone knew the "matchstick trick" to wedge the connector and sear release. Not practical with ball ammo, but fun with blanks during training exercises. The steel buttplate lets you deliver a horizontal butt stroke with conviction.

After that, aside from the random unit sniper's XM21, did not handle another M14 until 1981. At that time I was assigned as an adviser to a National Guard tank battalion in Wisconsin. The unit supply guy said they were awaiting a pair of M14s for the color guard and asked if I knew anything about them. When the box from Anniston Army Depot arrived, I helped inspect them and noted with disappointment that they had shaft locks.

A couple minutes with a pin punch and that was corrected and selectors installed. After a short discussion, the decision was made that the color guard should not be issued rifles that had not been test fired and zeroed. Securing a can of M80 ball, we load up the TMP sedan, head out to the county range to zero the rifles as prescribed in FM23-8.

Everything was going well until the young armorer asked about shooting on full auto. I gave him instructions, he followed them, no problems, until a highly irate range master comes complaining. Gesticulating wildly and pointing at the sign, which, he shrilly reads for us, "No automatic weapons except for organized military or police."

I point the the "US ARMY" over my left pocket and say, "That makes it military. I outrank him," pointing to the guardsman, "...and THAT makes it organized. So what exactly is (insert senior sergeant descriptive modifiers here) problem?"

For what it's worth, I like the M14, but, for a full size "battle rifle," I prefer the FAL. The G3 is a clever, abrupt recoiling, beast.

I am too young to have been issued an m14 but my uncle used one in the early years of the Vietnam war and spoke very highly of it (he was out before the switch to m16's. I have shot them a few times and would take it over an m4 any day. The accuracy is great and the round will do a lot better job of putting people down at longer distances. The recoil doesn't bother me and the weight is nothing.

Appears that the DoD has broken some M14s out of storage for actual combat use over the last couple of years to fulfill a mid-range precision fire role. 7.62 can certainly reach out and touch someone better than 5.56.

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Who watches the watchers?

Fort Polk,LA. Spring 1967-what else is there to say?

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SSG Ret.
TN & TX ARNG 66-06

Ft. Benning - Summer 1967
Indiantown Gap - Summer 1968
Ft. Knox - December 1969
The M14 was one of the finest rifles I have ever shot. Every single M-16 I shot jammed.

I liked them but never got to shoot for an official score. Our landing force locker had 3 with the select fire switch, and on full auto, they would get your attention!

I didn't like them well enough, though, to buy one in later years.

Had M14's for Basic training at Ft.Ord, CA. Jan./Feb.1969. Loved the rifle, had no idea it was heavy. Ran 1 mile every morning b/4 breakfast holding that rifle at port arms.
On to AIT, aircraft maint. & doorgunner school at Ft****cker, Ala. Learned M60's & helicopter weapons systems.
RVN 12/2/69 in Holding/replacement company for aviation companies & pulling perimeter/bunker guard every night - issued an M14 & was thankful. Packed that M14 for 6 weeks before I went to the 213th ASHC (BlackCats) to fly CH-47C Chinooks.
Never had any "official" training on the M16 & didn't really care.
Am now a proud owner of an M1A.

Here's something else I remember. After spending some hrs on the range with the M14 our Company did the trek back to the barracks. When we arrived a Sergeant volunteered me and 2 other boots to clean on Sunday all the magazines that the entire Company used. If I remember correctly, it took most of the day...I can still smell the cleaning solvent...we did the job in the confined back of a truck. That, the smell of a skunk & experiencing tear gas are 3 smells I'll never forget.

Backlighting: I can relate to the skunk and Army cleaning solvent. I have no memory of the smell of tear gas, just the feeling of intense pain. We thought that was the worse until our DIs, angered by the number of boots who did not bring their gas masks to a 2 am defense formation, rolled several CS grenades into the formation. I had my mask, but just the short exposure getting it on and clearing it was excruciating and lasted for hours.


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I own one, Fultons commercial version, Love it, but heavy. Also own a FAL. Prefer that.

Bought a plastic fantastic SCAR-17 a few years back aka star wars gun. Cannot believe how lightweight and accurate it is. It's my favorite rifle now.

Well, I had a battery powered, plastic one, that made a really neat "bup, bup, bup," noise until the batteries went dead. Then the operator was responsible for any sound effects. Between it, and a Mattel "Tommy Gun" the Germans were stopped in my end of Hanover County, Virginia.

I've never been in the service, but thanks to all who were.

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John 3:16 .

I use the orginal USGI RIFLE BORE CLEANER and the USGI LIGHT WEAPONS OIL to lube the bores. All the metal to metal contact moving parts get lubed with moly.

I picked up a bushnell scope that has the mechanical adjustment for bullet drop compisation. It's from a 100yd zero out to 500yds with no error. Too bad bushnell discontinued these scopes. I did stash some away. I been using the bushnell bdc scopes for over two decades now.

The thing that most freaked me out was in basic we had to take
our rifle to the shower with us. They had cleaning stations set up
in the head. Water was so hot you could see it evaporate before
your eyes. It worked very well, it just seemed reverse of what I
was taught. The only water we ever used at home was on Muzzel
Loaders. I trained with both, m16 first in Basic, M14 in AIT in
Automatic Weapons MOS. Later M16 in RVN, where m16 was not
my main weapon but I was around a lot of m16 fire and the bugs
in gun and ammo had been taken care of. Very little complaint
on m16 from then on. I like to hear Remington Raider war stories
about using a AK instead of a m16. Did they ever stop to think
that there would be a lot of fire directed at AK fire. SOPs guys
used them to confuse Commies, but a US Army soldier best be
carrying his issue weapon. We were lucky we could carry anything we wanted, as long as we were carrying our issue weapon.

This is my rifle, this is my gun, this is for killing, this is for fun,,,, quote Emery

Really enjoyed reading these...it appears a lot of us are of "a certain age" to have experienced the M14. My story is similar: Qualified Parris Island in summer 68, trained in ITR with one (as many/all have said full auto will have you shooting the sky), got an M16 for Staging in California, and that XM16E1 in RVN. Today I have numerous bolt and lever rifles and an AR but I will never fail to think of "my" M14 as a "real rifle". 49 years later, whenever I encounter a Vet that trained with the M14 the words "real rifle" almost always come up.

I had the privilege of firing the M-14 while on the Fort Hood Rifle team in the 70's and early 80's. We had the local matches with the M-16's and then if you were good enough the local unit team traveled up to FT Riley and then on to FT Benning. So between the first or second trip, we put away the M16 and stepped up to the M-14.
The first few times shooting standing at a bulls eye target 200 yards, well I admit I shot some holes through the sky and probably killed a bunch of worms.
With a truck load of ammo and this being our only job we all got good at it.
The matches came and went and then one day my bride said, "This traveling has got to stop if you want to keep this marriage". I thought about it for a moment and said OK.
I got out of the shooting team and then we transferred to Germany. When I returned to FT Hood I found that the whole shooting program was closed.
My wife asked why that dang shooting was so important, I gave her a simple reply, "I could of participated in the Olympics".

I have a M1-A and used it in the last match I fired was in 1991 at FT Richardson Alaska. I came in 3rd Place overall. It was amazing how it all came back, my shooting partner gave me enough ammo to finish the course because I ran out.

Afterwards, someone asked about the premium ammo I was using to get such a great score, I replied "Portuguese surplus".
Now days they have the giant matches but none of the feeder matches that takes a soldier who shoots his rifle twice a year to the expert level of shooter.

Thanks to all who shared their experience with the M-14.
I hope more stories will be forthcoming.

I was at my LGS with the cash to buy a new SA M1a ($2,500) when I spotted a rack full of the Russian izmash saigas in 308win. For $289. I grabbed one. We benchrested it at 100yds with no scope, she was shooting 1 1/2" groups using surplus South African 308 ball ammo. Now months later the norinco m14 shows up for $750. I got it for $375 with some free stuff I had to trade in. Maybe someday I'll do a custom build.

Up north were we hunt we have this 16/20pt buck that stays away just far enough. I'm sure the m14 can hit him.

I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA HOW REMOVING THE FRONT SIGHT OF A WEAPON, COULD POSSIBLY RENDER IT ANY MORE "SAFE"......

IMHO, THIS IS JUST ANOTHER VALIDATION THAT THE TERM. "MILITARY INTELLIGENCE" IS INDEED AN OXYMORON ! ! !

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Pretty sure that removing the front sight was intended to serve as an identifier that the weapon had been altered from original.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

Removing the front sight of an 03-A3 for drill practice was likely a very wise thought. I'm sure it prevented a lot of nasty cuts while learning how to toss them around.....

That too makes perfect sense. I thought about that as a reason but when I think about "drilling" with a firearm I think manual of arms where a front sight isn't an issue but for a "drill team" where they actually flip them around it makes sense.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

OK, this is an old thread, but...
Ft Leonard Wood, Summer '66...
Carried, studied, stripped, finally shot. Semi set up only.
Nobody shot Expert in my company. Rain had wet
the pop-ups. Sharpshooter. Yep, always have said out to 300 meters you are mine, one box not two. We were motivated shooters. Pretty sure range was measured in meters not yards.
Got a Norinco pre-ban in the 90s just because I could .Yes, they got heavier.
In Germany (lucky me) we shot once at a range with
Canadian Bulls to sight in. That was it, but I was in
the Engineers and we had other stuff to do.
One big guy in my squad got a full auto with bipod. Only watched one get shot, in basic, after infiltration. Wasted ammo.
Would want one in an open country fight for sure.
We only had M14s and Bloopers then. Oh, and some Pigs and M2s in the arms room for the heavy equipment guys.
SP5 E5

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It's what I do, not what I am.

Glad I saw this old thread. Like many others, I trained 1967 on an M 14 in basic, AIT, carried one in OCS that summer, and in Ranger School in the early fall. In AIT, we fired the 14-something, an "automatic rifleman" in each Infantry squad at that time, which I think was left over from the Korean War. Had a pistol grip wooden stock, a special sling you pulled down on, and a robust aluminum bi pod . Almost no one qualified with it. Wildly uncontrolable after 2 rounds, and hard to work the trigger to get that few shots. The rifles in OCS and Ranger school, were never cleaned, that I can remember, they were training aids. All the M 16s were going to VN, and so did I. Like someone else here said, I trained on a rifle I never used in combat, and was issued a rifle (M 16) I never trained with...68-69.

When I was a LEO, about 84 or so, the Army put on what they called a "Counter-Sniper Course" for Law Enforcement. Two weeks, all shooting. It was at Ft Benning and we used the M 14 Sniper version and had no problem hitting the steel man-sized targets at 900 yards.

Until then, I never held the M 14 in high regard, a lot of reason because when I was a GI, I toted one of the heavy lumps up slopes and hills, like Greasy Mountain in N. GA, knowing I wouldn't be issued in VN.

About six months ago, a friend had an M 1A he needed to sell, and more or less to help him out, I bought it. Much to my surprise it's pretty damn accurate.

None of the M 14s we carried in 1967 had the full-auto capability, except the ones I mentioned in the Automatic Rifleman ones, and they weren't select fire. I think the Army went to the M 14 because it's a shorter action. IIRC, unloaded it weighs 9.1 pounds.

My active duty rifle was the M16A1, but I did have an M14 that was issued to me for 4 years of HS ROTC. We were bused to the rifle range at Ft. Bliss a couple of times and allowed to shoot a few rounds for familiarization, but mostly we field stripped them, cleaned them, reassembled them, rubbed BLO into the stocks, "lather, rise, repeat", etc. etc.

However, most of us were Army brats, and I, along with a few others, had a few purloined magazines full of ball ammo in our bedrooms. Not with a thought of becoming infamous as a school shooter, but as insurance should the "Reds" attack. This was years before "Red Dawn" came out, but the "Red Threat" was alive and well in our teenage minds. The thought was that we would check out our rifles from the ROTC armory, and do our part protecting our community. Sounds silly now, but made perfect sense then.

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Only a cold warrior

I liked the M14. qualified expert with it in 1966 at Camp Pendleton. Several months later I qualified expert with the 1911 also.

M-14 in Basic Training at Ft. Bliss, March to May ‘68
M-16 in AIT at Ft. Polk (and Tiger Ridge!) May to July ‘68
M-14 in OCS at Ft. Belvoir, July ‘68 to Feb ‘69
I liked both rifles but haven’t fired either one of them again since OCS. From Ft. Belvoir I was sent to Ft. Devens for Army Security Agency (ASA) Officers Basic (Feb to Oct ‘69) and then on to HQ USASAE in Frankfurt and Augsburg, Germany, Oct ‘69 to Jun ‘72. The ASA units in Europe were issued M-14’s during this period.

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Terry Lester

I guess I missed this thread the first time around, I'm glad it came around again so I can add my 2 cents worth...

First, I noticed that most of y'all are either USA or USMC, and most with experience around the Vietnam Era, plus or minus a few years on either side of 'Nam. We've also heard from a few Squids, 'cause the USN rightly decided that a 30 cal service weapon has a definite place on board ships because of the extended ranges one might expect using a rifle at sea.

When I joined the Navy, I went to basic training in Orlando, FL, starting on 1 Oct 78. Too young for VN, too old for the many fracases that followed starting in '91 and which still seem to be with us. My chosen career path, to be a Missile Technician aboard an SSBN, seemed to be one where I would received an absolute minimum of small arms training, as I was bound to a more 'technical' career field. After Boot Camp I was off to Sub School, then almost a year at Dam Neck, VA, for Advanced Electronic 'A' School and Poseidon Missile 'C' School. My first duty assignment had me deployed to Kings Bay, GA to the submarine tender stationed there, the USS Simon Lake. After my 2-year tour as a 'Tender Puke', I knew I was finally bound for a Boat, and it ended up being the USS Casimir Pulaski, SSBN 633 (Gold Crew). We affectionately called the 633 the 'Crazy Polack'. Left the service in '84 to turn my training into a career and never looked back.

When I was a young snot-nose, I was engaged with my local NRA Junior Rifle Team, and that's where I learned the basics of rifle marksmanship, using an old Remington 513T loaned to me by the club. That training served me in the military and throughout my shooting life to this day.

While on board the Simon Lake, all Missile Techs were assigned to the Weapons Dept, and we were all trained to serve as Security Detail, to augment our Marines (MARDET) who provided security during operations where we moved missiles or individual warheads. During these moves, or during security drills or events, we were issued small arms that included the M14, Remington 870 riot guns, and 1911s. During my early time on the Simon Lake, we received extensive training on these weapons. On a trip down to Mayport Naval Station, we were given an opportunity to shoot the M14 'For Record'. This was also the very first time I had held an M14 in my hands and it was, as it turned out, a pretty 'formative moment' for me. We received some basic handling instructions, which included a very detailed rundown on the sights and their proper operation. Then we were set loose to get the rifles sighted in so we could shoot for an official score. Once my sighting in was done, I knew I was VERY comfortable with this whole 'M14' thing, and we started on the record shots. We shot at subtended targets at a relatively short range. I dredged up all I could recall from my Junior NRA days, and found no problem hitting the middle with the M14, every single time. I very easily earned my Rifle Expert Medal that day, although I probably shot it at a much shorter range that most of y'all Soldiers or Marines had to. While I was still shooting those 30 'record' rounds, I made a vow to the Moon & Stars that I would OWN one of these as soon as I could afford it.

It took me 9 years to do so, well after my Navy time, and after I was stared on a career that might make me enough scratch to be able to afford one. In April, 1989, I traded an old 870, an Astra A-80, and $200 for a brand new SA M1A with a TRW barrel. I became involved with the NRA/DCM High Power Program, and discovered that earning an 'Expert' rating with the DCM was far and away more involved and difficult that my easy-peasy Navy experience. After a while I did it, and then Life got in between me and my High Power days, although I hope to shoot HP competition again one day before he Big Dirt Nap. I still have that first M1A, and all of my gear, so it just may happen.

After I was transferred to the submarine, we took the Pulaski (which had just completed an extended overhaul) out for a series of tests and operations that had to be completed by both crews before we could be given our 'Strategic Load-Out' of Trident I SLBMs. This gave us several opportunities, while operating near Andros Island in the Bahamas, to have what we called a 'Steel Beach' party, which was basically a cook-out on the Missile Deck, and included a Swim Call. During swim call, it was Navy procedure to have a 'Shark Watch' on duty up in the sail, armed with an M14, 'just in case'. Our 'swim call 'shark watch' was always a particular Torpeckerman 1st Class Named Conley, who was also our Ship's Armorer. Conley had an M14 with the selector/disconnector doo-dads installed. While we swam, we were really nervous about a shark showing up, not 'cause we thought we might get bit, but that we would probably get hit with that damn FA M14 in Coney's hands! Everyone on board called Conley's M14 'Otto' - get it?

Like most of y'all, I now own quite a few rifles, including at least two custom jobs (221 Fireball and 6mm PPC) that I use in local competitions, but if the sad day ever comes when I *must* pick up a rifle and put it to it's intended use, it WILL be my old M1A!

To me, the M14/M1a is not a rifle, it is THE Rifle!

Take care,
Tom

January 1969 at Fort Lewis for basic training. We carried the M14 and fired it for qualification. Had one range day of "familiarization" with the M16. My hunting rifle at the time was a Winchester Model 70 in .30-06, so I much preferred the 14. Didn't think the recoil was harsh, although some recruits with no firearms experience complained. Qualified expert with the highest score in my platoon. That was the last time I fired one. Never got orders to Vietnam and spent the rest of my time as company clerk at Fort Belvoir. I have Chinese M1A that I've used in competition. Very reliable and accurate.

BRMC, BCT C-4-2, Fort Dix, Summer of 1967 (I was an RA). Keep saying I will get an M1A "someday".
The one thing I enjoyed most in Basic was-THE BAYONET !!!!

I enlisted in 87 so was issued and trained on M16A1s. However I made the Precision Rifle Team in 89 and was issued a NM M14 and all the 7.62 Special Ball ammo I could shoot. When Desert Storm kicked in I told my Battery Commander that if we were deployed I wanted to take my M14 with me. He thought about it as said my M16 had to go because it was on the TOE. However the M14 was assigned to me personally by the Army so if I took that along it was up to me.

We were not deployed but I remember watching a news clip from the time where a solder was being interviewed who had just returned from "night time guard duty". He has his rifle wrapped in a poncho and as I watched I realized it was a M14 and I would have bet anything the poncho was covering a night scope.

Back to your question. IMHO opinion there is nothing wrong with the M14 except that by the time it was issued it was obsolete. 15 years earlier and it would have been the stuff of legends. From a civilian standpoint if you can't have full auto what advantage does the M14 have over the M1 and the M1 is a handier package, especially in the "tanker" configuration. Part of the problem was the US Militarys obsession with the full power 30 caliber cartridge at the time. Russia saw the advantage of a mid range cartridge early and went with the 7.62x39.

Imagine a M14 in a 6.5 ctg like the Grendel or Creedmore and a 30 round magazine. We'd probably still be using it to this day! It would have worked in Vietnam and would work in the desert.

The Russian engineers/designers found out our 223/308 were more accurate over there russian calibers probably because of the design of our brass case. They tested them in there Ishmazh saigas.

I think the best new caliber would be a 6.5 mm x 40 mm or a 7 mm x 40 mm because of there stable in flight accuracy. I have no respect for the 223 nor the black rifle that shoots it.

When I was in VN, in 68 the artillery units were issued the M 14. The biggest fault I see for the M 14 as a combat rifle is that huge opening where the bolt goes. Invites fouling. My sniper carried one with the scope, can't remember the model no.

Now that I'm no longer in the jungle, where mud, dirt, and sand are not to worry about, I've come to really like my M 1A. But it's a target rifle...mine doesn't have the NM barrel but it's pretty darn accurate.

Still, I've owned several ARs, and they were quite a bit more accurate, but then they had scopes mounted. ARs have a reputation for accuracy in general. I don't think the 14s did.

No experience with the M 14 here. "My Army" used the HK G3 made under license. The thing in common is the caliber. I can say it's an handfull if you decide to fire more than a 3 round burst in full auto.

__________________
Expect the unexpected

I have had and built several M1A's. Built one with all Winchester parts except for the S.A. receiver, and the other one was made with Springfield Armory (U.S. Military) parts, except for receiver & barrel.
Have had 2 N.M. rifles, 1 was a Springfield Armory Super Match, and still have one, that is built on an Armscorp Receiver. I sent the gun to Jon Wolfe who glass bedded the receiver, installed a new match barrel on it, and did a trigger job too. Has N.M. front and rear sights, and a N.M flash hider.


My 1st M1A was a Divine, TX rifle, built by Elmer Ballance. Sold it to a buddy of mine and wish I had it back.

I've enjoyed reading the proceeding stories. Thanx for sharing.

Drafted in August '67, I was issued an M14 at Fort Bliss, Texas. I liked the rifle better than the M1 I had shot in high school. The stock wasn't as clubby. Was trained as a cook in Fort Huachuca, Az. Landed in West Germany in January and assigned to a helicopter company. We were issued the M14 and took it out on alert and shot it occasionally.

Thirty years later I would go to the range with my ex's husband and shoot his M1A National Match. When he died my ex gave me the rifle. I haven't shot it much lately due to the weight but I think of it as more of a rifle that my M&P 15. Steel and walnut and all of that.

Started with the M14 as a young Boy Scout. Yup, sometime in the mid 60’s....Troop was invited to Barstow Marine base for a ‘camp out.’ Stayed in the Quonset huts, ate in the mess hall, ran the obstacle course, stood inspection, and of course the highlight was a trip to the Rifle Range. Instructors taught us the positions, gun safety, and then let us shoot through a couple clips (under very close supervision). Absolutely loved it! That experience was one of the foundational events of my life. Any guesses which branch of the service I signed up for?

Well, it's just me back again. Great board, and great thread!
My Squid son-in-law likes to harass me about
my wussy Army Sharpshooter rating, following weeks with my
personal M-14 in Basic. I still claim foul. Hey, I was Jr. NRA too, with lots of kid .22 outdoor time. He said he was given one day of training and the same day fired for record. Yep, Expert. Insufferable even yet. I think he deck guard pointed it at a dolphin once.
I like him, though he told me the reason the Coast Guard wouldn't take me back in '62 was that I was under 6' and could not wade to shore in Lake Michigan if the boat sank. They told me it was because I wore glasses. Lots of candidates, and not even a war on! Army was happy to see me so much they were following my educational career just a few years later.
Draft Volunteer, made and won a bad bet.

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It's what I do, not what I am.