opinions on the M14 Rifle

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Unfortunately too many GIs were thrown into combat in Korea with the absolute bare minimum of training-and paid the price.
Given the short distances at which combat was conducted in the Pacific, I can see how the 6.5MM Japanese would be effective and the shorter stature of Japanese soldiers was a consideration.
One disadvantage the VC/NVA had in Vietnam was the lack of a rifle caliber LMG like the M-60. They had the RPK which was simply an AK-47 with a longer barrel, but no quick change barrel and magazine fed-sort of a BAR, not capable of sustained long range fire.

 

[kraigwy]

Went to basic/AIT using a M14 in 1966. I was in the 82nd in the spring of 67 and we had M14s. I went to Vietnam using the M16a1.

Joined the Guard in 73, we had M16A1s but I started shooting for the NG in 1977 and we used M14s. Went to sniper school in 1978 (USAMU Sniper School) using the M21 (M14) and taught sniper schools using the M21.

Shot for and coached the AK NG Rifle team until 1992, using the M14 or my M1A (got it in 1977, serial # 0068XX).

I got my M1A it was a Standard Grade but was converted to Super Match (at Guard Expense) by none other the Gene Barnett (Barnett Barrels).

Shot out a few barrels, and stretched out some slings, other then that that sucker had treated me well, getting me my Dist Badge. I still shoot it in matches today (though I'm slowly switching to the AR for HP).

To say I like the M14/M1A would be an understatement.

 

[redsfan2]

Went to basic/AIT using a M14 in 1966. I was in the 82nd in the spring of 67 and we had M14s. I went to Vietnam using the M16a1.

Joined the Guard in 73, we had M16A1s but I started shooting for the NG in 1977 and we used M14s. Went to sniper school in 1978 (USAMU Sniper School) using the M21 (M14) and taught sniper schools using the M21.

Shot for and coached the AK NG Rifle team until 1992, using the M14 or my M1A (got it in 1977, serial # 0068XX).

I got my M1A it was a Standard Grade but was converted to Super Match (at Guard Expense) by none other the Gene Barnett (Barnett Barrels).

Shot out a few barrels, and stretched out some slings, other then that that sucker had treated me well, getting me my Dist Badge. I still shoot it in matches today (though I'm slowly switching to the AR for HP).

To say I like the M14/M1A would be an understatement.

HHOORAHH !

 

[Rangerpat]

I carried a M-14 in the Marines from 1970-1971 and was issued a M-16 in 1972; I prefered the M-14 due to accuracy and range of weapon.
I now own a Ruger Mini-30 just for nostalgia, plinking, (not trying to compare to the M-14) and walking up wild hogs in the swamps of Florida. It is a fun gun to shoot but not as accurate as my M-14 was.

 

[EarlFH]

I went to RVN in 1966 with an issued m-14. Carried it until 1967, when the M-16-E1's arrived.(experimental models). Nobody wanted to give up their M-14's, until we were threatened with courtmartials. The M-16-E1's were real crap. They didn't have the chrome lined bores, and rusted instantly. we were all told we weren't cleaning our rifles, because they always saw "dirt" in the bores. it took several months before they found out it was rust they were seeing. Shortly after that the M-16-A1's arrived with the chrome lined bores. Nobody trusted the M-16's, because Marines were dieing in the field with their rifles disassembled, trying to make them work. Everyone was looking for AK's from dead VC, because they could be trusted to work, no matter what. They also fooled the enemy, because they didn't sound like m-16's.

EarlFH

 

[Rule 303]

It is a wonderful semi auto weapon.
The only draw back is you can't carry as much ammo as you can for a CAR-15 or a M16A1 (or other variants).
Not a good rifle for full auto.

Wonderful if it is not worn out and has been reworked to accuracy out to distant ranges.

I couldn't imagine working in the field in A-Stan without one.
Couldn't imagine working with one in the Triple and Double Canopy of I Corps or II Corps.

Rule 303

 

[EarlFH]

The M-14 is not made to be an assault rifle. We regularly qualified to 600 meters with a run of the mill rifle. How far do you expect to shoot it? I always carried at least 120 rounds with me, and never minded it. After carrying the weapon through boot camp, it wasn't heavy. We were required to carry our weapon everywhere except to the showers. No problem at all.

EarlFH

 

[EQGuy]

I was in the Army from 67 to 70. I was issued several M-14’s and I never fired an M-16 as I never served in Nam. My overseas tour was Ft Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. We actually received overseas pay for serving in Alaska. I was on the Ft Leonard Wood and 5th Army rifle teams in 1968 and was issued a couple of NM M-14’s. They were and are great rifles. I currently own one National Match M-14 with a rear lugged receiver made by Armscorp using GI parts and a Kreiger heavy match barrel. It is one rifle I will not sell.

 

[bennettfam]

Considering after 40 or 50 some odd years they are still in use by our military, they are in that way one of the most successful rifles adopted by the US. They must be good for something.

Of course they were inferior to the M1 Garand for the poor GI who tried to shoot from the prone position.

 

[GatorFarmer]

One disadvantage the VC/NVA had in Vietnam was the lack of a rifle caliber LMG like the M-60. They had the RPK which was simply an AK-47 with a longer barrel, but no quick change barrel and magazine fed-sort of a BAR, not capable of sustained long range fire.

The NVA received and used large numbers of RPD GPMGs, these were being phased out of Soviet mainline service at the time (finally withdrawn circa 1974) and thus large numbers went to the Vietnamese. The RPD fired off 100rd belts contained in a drum.

The DP28 and it's later Chinese made belt fed cousin and SG43 mgs were also supplied to the NVA and VC and used in some numbers.

Technically, the M60 was not a light machine gun, but a general purpose machine gun.

 

[Combat_Diver]

+1 on gatorfarmers first post. I went thru basic at Ft Leonard Wood in 83 and was issued a M16A1. Didn't see a M14 til the following year later in the Special Forces course. When I got to my first team we still had two XM21s assigned and used those til replaced by the M24 (still issued the XM16E1 til 86!). I did take a M14 to Kenya in 98' instead of my issued M4A1, things bite back over there (did see the big five in the field). During my second OIF deployment in 04' took a TRW National Match M14 with a Springfield Armory Scout mount and mounted a EOTech to it. Used the same rifle at Benning in 06' at the All Army Matches (out to 1000yds with irons using M118LR)
(me and my son, Baghdad 04')

As mentioned the standard stock is too long with body armor that is a requirement everytime you leave the wire. Around here in Astan this year 101st has a bunch of M14 in EBR stocks. The stock have a adjustable butt for length of pull and a adj. cheek piece. Weapon weighs a lot with the added bipod, IR laser pointer and 10x Leopuld M4 scope.

That stated I've also carried the FAL in Iraq when I could obtain one. For a main battle rifle I prefer the FAL as it has better egronamics and is easier to assessorize as todays battlefield demands.

CD

ETA: forgot to mention that when I went thru sniper school in 94, two guys on my team used our two M24s and I borrowed a M25 (modified M14 w/10x Bushnell mil dot scope) for the course. My spotter (another team mate) and I had the same zero on the M24. The M14 is a good solid rifle and I like older stuff. Carried a M1911A1 and M79 in Iraq all those years also.

 

[Lex_Ordo]

Nothing feels better in the hand then a steel & wood M14 type rifle, with the sweet smell of linseed oil permiating off the stock. Unless of course you have a synthetic!

The older Springfield Armory Inc M1As were all USGI, save for the Receiver, and are great rifles. I had a few and sold a few.

Now, I have an all hand selected USGI, LRB assembled M14SA and it is the cat's meow! Every single part was hand picked and collected by me for over a year, until I could get the barreled action assembled at LRB.

What a great rifle! As close to a USGI M14 as one could get.

However...
I carry an M4 on patrol, simply because it is shorter, and more easy to manipulate in and out of the radio car.

I do like both weapons the same, and consider them equal.

The Military had this "great" idea to make one weapon to cover everything.
Simple truth is that different platforms for different tasks. You can't have a one for all.

That's why I find both weapons equal. Different tasks.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I have only shot a few "real" M-14's and found them to be great reliable rifles. Assault weapons they are not but for long range shooting they cannot be beat.

Most of my experience is with the m1a's.

This is 50 shots per target, 100 yrds, off the bench with my SuperMatch.

This is 50 shots per target, 100 yrds, off the bench with my NationalMatch.

I shoot the Super better then the National but I enjoy them both. I just don't shoot them enough out here. Reliable, accurate and fun.