M14 rifle

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"M14" and "M-14" redirect here. For other uses, see M14 (disambiguation).
M14

The M14 rifle
Type Service rifle
Place of origin United States of America
Service history
In service 1957–present
Used by Estonia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, Taiwan, Turkey, Venezuela, United States
Wars Vietnam War–present
Production history
Designed 1954
Produced 1959–1964
Number built ~1.38 million
Variants M14E1, M14E2/M14A1, M14K, M21, XM25
Specifications
Weight 4.5 kg (9.9 lb)
Length 1,118 mm (44 in)
Barrel length 559 mm (22 in)
Cartridge 7.62 × 51 mm NATO
Caliber 7.62 mm (.308 in)
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 700–750 round/min
Muzzle velocity 850 m/s (2,800 ft/s)
Effective range 500 m (550 yd)
800+ m (875 yd) (with optics)
Feed system 20-round detachable box magazine
Sights Aperture rear sight, "barleycorn" front sight

The M14 rifle (more formally the United States Rifle, Caliber 7.62 mm, M14) is an American selective fire battle rifle firing 7.62 × 51 mm NATO ammunition. Although largely superseded in military use by the M16 rifle, it remains in limited front line service with the United States Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. The M14 also provides the basis for the M21 and XM25 sniper rifles (not to be confused with the XM25 grenade launcher) .

Contents

[edit] History

The M14 was developed from a long line of experimental weapons based upon the M1 Garand. Although the Garand was one of the most advanced infantry rifles of the 1940s, it was not a perfect weapon. Modifications were beginning to be made to the basic M1 rifle's design since the twilight of the Second World War. Modifications included adding a fully automatic firing capability and replacing the 8-round "en bloc" clips with a detachable box magazine holding 20 rounds. Winchester, Remington, and Springfield Armory's own John Garand offered different conversion designs. Garand's design, the T20, was the most popular, and T20 prototypes served as the basis for a number of Springfield test rifles from 1945 through the early 1950s.

Earle Harvey of Springfield Armory designed a completely different rifle, the T25, for the new .30 Light Rifle cartridge. The latter was based upon .30-06 cartridge case cut down to the length of the .300 Savage cartridge. The .30 Light Rifle eventually evolved into the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO and the commercial .308 Winchester round. In the background, Lloyd Corbett was tasked with developing .30 Light Rifle conversions for the M1 rifle and later the T20 prototypes. After a series of prototype designs, the T44 surfaced. The earliest T44 prototypes used the T20 receivers rebarreled for 7.62 mm NATO, and replaced the long operating rod/piston of the M1 with the T25's shorter "gas expansion and cut-off" system. Later T44 prototypes used newly fabricated receivers shorter than either the M1 or T20; the new action's length was matched to the shorter 7.62 mm NATO cartridge instead of the longer .30-06. The T44 competed successfully against the T47 (a modified T25) and the FN FAL (T48). This led to the T44's adoption by the U.S. military as the M14 in 1957. Springfield Armory began tooling a new production line in 1958 and delivered the first service rifles to the U.S. Army in July 1959. However, long production delays resulted in the 101st Airborne Division being the only unit in the Army fully equipped with the M14 by the end of 1961. The Fleet Marine Force finally completed the change from M1 Garand to M14 in late 1962.

The rifle served adequately during its brief tour of duty in Vietnam. Though it was unwieldy in the thick brush due to its length and weight, the power of the 7.62 mm NATO cartridge allowed it to penetrate cover quite well and reach out to extended range, developing more than 2,400 ft·lbf (3,250 J) of muzzle energy. The weapon also proved to be very reliable and continued to function even under adverse conditions. However, there were several drawbacks to the M14. The traditional wood stock of the rifle had a tendency to swell and expand in the heavy moisture of the jungle, adversely affecting accuracy. Fiberglass stocks were produced to resolve this problem, however, the rifle was discontinued before they could be distributed for field use. Also, because of the M14's powerful 7.62 × 51 mm cartridge, the weapon was virtually uncontrollable in fully automatic mode. The M14 was developed as a means of taking the place of four different weapons systems — the M1 Garand, the M1 Carbine, the M3 "Grease Gun" and the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). It was thought that in this manner the M14 could simplify the logistical requirements of the troops if it took the place of four weapons. Although it proved to be an impossible task to replace all four, the weapon excelled as a replacement for the M1 rifle, fixing many of the previous rifle's shortcomings. The cartridge was too powerful for the SMG role and the weapon was simply too light to provide as a light machine gun replacement for the BAR. The M60 machine gun better served this task.

The M14 remained the primary infantry weapon in Vietnam until it was replaced by the M16 in 1966–1968. The M16 was ordered as a replacement for the M14 by direction of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, over the objection of Army officers who had backed the M14. Though production of the M14 was officially discontinued, some disgruntled troops still managed to hang on to them while deriding the M16 as a frail and underpowered "Mattel toy" or "poodle shooter". The early M16 also suffered from reliability problems which tarnished its reputation long after these were corrected. In January 1968 the U.S. Army designated the M16 as the "Standard A" rifle, and the M14 became a "Limited Standard" weapon. The M-14 rifle remained the standard rifle for US Army Basic Training until 1970.

The U.S. Army also converted several M14s into the M21 sniper rifle, which remained standard issue for this purpose until the adoption of the M24 SWS in 1988. (see M21 rifle for more details)

[edit] Uses of M14 in U.S. service since M16 replacement

An Army marksman in Fallujah, Iraq, using a modified M14 with a Leupold LR/T 10 x 40 mm M3
An Army marksman in Fallujah, Iraq, using a modified M14 with a Leupold LR/T 10 x 40 mm M3

Although the M14 was phased out of service in the sixties, M14 variants are still used by various U.S. branches, and in many other armies, especially as a sniper rifle and/or a designated marksman rifle, due to its excellent accuracy and effectiveness at long range.

The Army M21 sniper rifle is always in use in Army National Guard [1] units and some special active units such as the OPFOR units of the Joint Readiness Training Center. Few M14s were in use in the Army until the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. But since, many M14s are seen in use as designated marksman and sniper rifles. These are not M21 rifle, but modified old M14 or new Springfield Armory, Inc. M21[citation needed] Tactical Rifles. Several variants exist, ranging from single M14 to highly modified rifles with scopes, fiberglass stocks, etc.

Some units of the U.S. Marine Corps have also used the M14. For example, in the Philippines from 1989 to 1991, the Scout Snipers of the Subic Bay naval base used M14 NM with ART II scopes during jungle patrols because the base had only one M40A1 rifle. The 5th Platoon, FAST Company (Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team), used M14s called M14 DM (for Designated Marksman) as well as M16 HBAR (heavy barrel) rifles for designated marksman purposes to ensure protection of U.S. diplomatic mission in Somalia in 1993 [2]. In the mid-1990s, the USMC chose a new rifle for DM use, which is a M14 modified by the Precision Weapons Shop in Marine Corps Base Quantico named Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR). It is intended to be used by security teams (SRTs, FAST Companies), and USMC Scout Snipers in the cases where a semi-automatic rifle would be more appropriate than the standard bolt-action M40A1/A3 rifle. (see U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle for more details). USMC Rifle Team use also M14 in shooting competitions.

USMC Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) in action during a training exercise
USMC Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) in action during a training exercise

The United States Air Force Honor Guard and Base Honor Guards use the M14 for 3-volley salutes in military funerals. It is also the drill and parade rifle of the United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, and the Virginia Military Institute.

Various Special Operations Forces (SOF) are still using M14 variants. Probably the most famous are the Navy SEALs, which have used M14 from infantry rifle role to marksman rifle and to sniper rifle. It seems that as soon as the Vietnam War, SEALs used modified M14 as sniping rifles [3]. M14s have also widely been used without special sights as infantry rifle, probably because it is more reliable than the M16 for naval purposes. Various sniper variants have been used by the SEALs, often mistaken with M21 in the overt literature, only one of them has received a standard name in the U.S. military designations system : the XM25, developed by the Special Forces. These sniper variants have probably been replaced by the Mk 11 Mod 0, selected in 2000. Lastly, SEALs are using the Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR (Enhanced Battle Rifle) for close-quarters battle and in a designated marksman role.

A SEAL operator with a M14 rifle fitted with an Aimpoint optical sight and a forward grip, participating in maritime interdiction operations in the Persian Gulf after the Gulf War
A SEAL operator with a M14 rifle fitted with an Aimpoint optical sight and a forward grip, participating in maritime interdiction operations in the Persian Gulf after the Gulf War

Although being a very secretive unit, the "Delta Force" is known to have used M14 sniper variants. According to Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, the well-known account of the battle of Mogadishu, at least one of the "D-Boys", Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart, used an M14 for sniping from helicopters to provide support fire to ground troops. His M14 was probably fitted with an Aimpoint 3000 sight.

Lastly, the Special Forces ("Green berets") don't seem to have widely used the M14, except the case of the M25 "spotter rifle". The XM25 was developed in the late-80s within the 10th Special Forces Group, which was charged to support Special Forces sniper weapons as well as the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course (SOTIC). The XM25 was first planned as a replacement for the old Special Forces's M21s, but after the Army adoption of the M24 SWS as its standard sniper rifle, the M25 was intended to be used by spotters of the sniper teams, while the snipers would use the bolt-action M24. Tests had shown that the M24 and M25 have the same precision when using the same M118 ammunitions. (see the M25 page for more details)

The commercial, semi-automatic-only version available to the general public is sold by Springfield Armory, Inc. of Geneseo, IL and other manufacturers as the M1A, M14S, and other model names.

Though the M14 still has advocates, it also holds the dubious distinction of serving as the standard infantry rifle of the U.S. Army for a shorter span of time than any other weapon. M14 production tooling was sold in 1967 to the Taiwanese, who in 1968 began producing their Type 57 Rifle. The State Arsenal of the Republic of China produced approximately 1,000,000 of these rifles from 1969 to the late 1980s.

[edit] Destruction of M14 Rifles

During the Clinton administration, 479,367 M14 rifles were destroyed by Executive Order[citation needed] and by 1996, a total of about 750,000 M14 were destroyed. In 1996, Congress passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act which prohibited the Army from further destroying any more M14 rifles. This amendment is passed every year due to continuing pressure from gun collectors who one day hope to own these surplus rifles. The problem is that the BATFE considers the M14 to be a "machine gun" under Federal law, and thus cannot be transferred anymore to civilians. Moreover, after September 11, 2001, remaining stock piles of M14's were reissued to the Army for the designated marksmen.

[edit] Production

Standard service rifles were produced from 1959 to 1964.

The purpose-built National Match version was produced in 1962 and 1963 by Springfield Armory, and in 1964 by TRW. Springfield Armory upgraded a number of service-grade rifles in 1965 and 1966 to National Match specifications. Upgrading was also carried out in 1967 at the Rock Island Arsenal. These M14 variants are to this day capable of extreme long-range accuracy.

Springfield and TRW delivered more than 11,000 National Match rifles in the 1962–1964 period. Roughly 8,000 service rifles were modified to NM standards during 1965–1967.

[edit] Variants and related designs

U.S. troops from the 101st division equipped with M14 variants in Baghdad, Iraq
U.S. troops from the 101st division equipped with M14 variants in Baghdad, Iraq
U.S. Army photo of M14 rifle variants
U.S. Army photo of M14 rifle variants

[edit] Military

[edit] M15

Main article: M15 rifle
  • Selective fire, heavy barrel version of the standard M14, intended to replace the BAR as a squad automatic weapon.
  • Never issued. The M15 was declared obsolete prior to entering production.

[edit] M14E1

  • The M14E1 was tested with a variety of folding stocks to provide better maneuverability and the like for armored infantry, paratroopers and others.
  • No variant was standardized.

[edit] M14E2/M14A1

  • Selective fire version of the standard M14 used as a squad automatic weapon.
  • Successor to the short-lived M15 rifle. The developmental model was known as the M14E2.
  • First designated as M14E2 when it was issued in 1963 and redesignated as M14A1 in 1966.

[edit] M14 SMUD

Soldier from Wyoming Army National Guard using a M14 provides overwatch security for fellow soldiers Sekeik, Iraq. The rifle is equipped with the Sage EBR stock, but the full length barrel and standard front sight/flashhider indicate that it is not a Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR. October 2006
Soldier from Wyoming Army National Guard using a M14 provides overwatch security for fellow soldiers Sekeik, Iraq. The rifle is equipped with the Sage EBR stock, but the full length barrel and standard front sight/flashhider indicate that it is not a Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR. October 2006
  • Stand-off Munition Disruption, used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel to destroy unexploded ordnance.
  • Essentially an M14 National Match rifle with scope.

[edit] Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR

Main article: United States Navy Mark 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle
  • Shorter, more tactical version of the M14, with a retractable stock and multiple rails for more accessories.

[edit] Commercial

[edit] M14K

  • Variant designed by La France Specialities of San Diego, California, and produced by Smith Enterprise of Tempe, Arizona.
  • The prototype actually used the M60 machine gun parts for the gas system; however, production models had the system custom-manufactured so the rate of fire could be controlled.

[edit] Types of sights

  • Rear peep, front blade, metric
  • Rear National Match peep with hood, front National Match blade, metric

[edit] Rifle design

[edit] Receiver markings

Stamped into receiver heel:

  • U.S. Rifle
  • 7.62-MM M14
  • Springfield Armory (or commercial contractor name)
  • Serial number

[edit] Stock

The M14 rifle was first furnished with a walnut stock, then with birch and finally with a synthetic stock. Original equipment walnut and birch stocks carry the Department of Defense acceptance stamp or cartouche (an arc of three stars above a spread-winged eagle). These stocks also carried a proof stamp, a P within a circle, applied after successful test-firing.

Rifles manufactured through late 1960 were provided with walnut handguards. Thereafter synthetic, slotted (ventilated) hand guards were furnished but proved too fragile for military use. These were replaced by the solid synthetic part still in use, usually in dark brown, black or a camouflage pattern.

[edit] Rifling

Right-hand twist, 1:12 inches, 4 grooves

[edit] Accessories

  • M6 bayonet with M8A1 sheath
  • Bandoleer
  • Sling (M1 web [cotton or nylon] or M1907)
  • Cleaning kit (Butt-trap) Included a Combination tool, Ratchet chamber brush, Plastic oiler, Brass bore brush, 4 Cleaning rod sections, Cleaning rod case, and a cleaning rod patch-holding tip.
  • M5 winter trigger and winter safety
  • M12 blank-firing adaptor and breech shield
  • Stripper clip (5 cartridge) and stripper clip guide "spoon" for re-filling magazines
  • M1961 ammunition magazine pocket
  • M2 bipod
  • M76 grenade launcher
  • M15 grenade launcher sight

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] Video links

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