Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle

Mk.14 EBR

M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle - Rock Island
Type Battle rifle, designated marksman rifle[1]
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service 2004[2]–Present
Used by See Users
Wars War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Production history
Designer Mike Rock and Jim Ribordy (Original)[2]
Smith Enterprise, Inc. (Current)[2]
Designed 2001
Manufacturer Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division[3]
Smith Enterprise Inc.(Supplying parts)[2]
Sage International (For the stock)[4]
Specifications
Weight 11.24 lb (5.1 kg)[5]
Length 35 in (889 mm)[5]
Barrel length 18 in (457 mm) (Mod 0),[5] 22 in (558.8 mm) (Mod 1) (EBR-RI)
Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire Shooter Dependent/ Full Auto 725 RPM
Muzzle velocity 853 m/s (2,800 ft/s)
Effective firing range 500 m (547 yd)
800+ m (875 yd) (with optics)
Maximum firing range 2.5 miles (4.23 kilometers) (Confirmed/Point Target); 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) (Unconfirmed/Area Target)
Feed system 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine
Sights Modified M14 iron sights, normally used with a magnifying scope.

The Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) is an American selective fire military designated marksman rifle chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It is a variant of the M14 battle rifle and was originally built for use with units of the United States Special Operations Command, such as the United States Navy SEALs, Delta Force, and task specific ODA units.[6][7]

The EBRs are made with the intention of carrying out both designated marksman and CQB roles in combat. Since 2010, the U.S. Army has made available two M14 EBR-RI rifles per infantry platoon for units deploying to Afghanistan. The M14 EBR-RI has a standard weight 22.0" barrel and lugged GI flash hider; it is not to be confused with the Mk 14 Mod 0 or Mod 1.

History

The creation of the Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) began in 2000 after a request by United States Navy SEALs for a more compact M14 battle rifle.[8] In 2001, Mike Rock Rifle Barrels, Inc. was the only rifle barrel maker asked by United States Special Operations Command to participate in a SOPMOD conference to create what would be the Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR, with details that include a collapsible stock that was requested for the new rifle and with aluminum body with telescopic rails. [2] Mike Rock collaborated with engineer Jim Ribordy to make the new rifle. Tests showed that their rifle was effective, but had excessive noise problems.[2]

US Army service in Afghanistan, September 2010.

In 2003, Ron Smith and Smith Enterprise, Inc. created its own version of the M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (MK14 SEI),[9] which used a medium heavy weight 18.0" barrel and was more widely favored than the rifle made by Rock and Ribordy. The Smith Enterprise-based MK14 was then used as a basis to eventually create the Mk 14 Mod 0 with Springfield Armory, Inc. being tasked to supply the necessary machinery needed to create the weapon[2] in cooperation with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division.[10]

United States Navy SEALs were the first forces to be armed with the EBR in 2004, followed by the U.S. Coast Guard.[2] The U.S. Army is also being armed with the M14EBR-RI, being created and updated by the Weapons Product Support Integration Directorate of the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command at the Keith L. Ware Test Facility in Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois;[11][12] having fielded approximately 5,000 units by mid-2010.[13] United States Marine Corps units were also considering the EBR,[14] but wound up instead developing the M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle.

The rifle has seen limited service outside of the U.S., primarily with the Australian SASR in their Afghanistan deployment.[15]

Design

The weapon takes the standard M14 action and replaces the standard 22.0" barrel with an 18.0" barrel, The barreled action is then bolted into a telescoping chassis stock system,[6] with a pistol grip,[11] a different front sight, Harris bipod,[11] four Picatinny accessory rails (which surround the barrel),[6][10][14] and a more effective flash hider in place of the standard lugged USGI flash suppressor.[16] A paddle-type bolt stop similar to that of the M4 carbine is used on the rifle.[10] The EBR chassis system stock is made up entirely of lightweight aircraft alloy.[17]

A Kydex hand guard and M68 CCO are also added as standard external accessories, though they are almost always replaced with a vertical foregrip and magnifying scope for better handling and for use in a designated marksman role. A Wind Talker suppressor can be mounted on the DC Vortex flash hider,[18] though the U.S. military did not adopt one to active service.[2]

Sage International had some involvement in the decision of whether to invest approximately $120,000 in an injection mold incorporating into the design the rail attachments or machine the replacement stock from a solid billet of aluminum with the latter being selected, which was then shown at the SHOT Show in Orlando in 2003.[19]

Configurations

Several configurations are allowed on the Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR, among them include the attachment of the AN/PVS-4 night vision scope.[20] Others had included the capability of adding two different scopes/sights on the Picatinny rails, for more precision or zoom level.[20]

Variants

Following the development of the Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR, several variants of the M14 rifle utilizing the Sage Chassis System have been developed and fielded by various branches of the U.S. military. A summary of variants, and the components utilized in each, are as follows:

Mk 14 Mod 0[21] Mk 14 Mod 0 /
Mk 14 SEI
[22] 		Mk 14 Mod 1[23] Mk 14 Mod 2[23] M39 EMR[24] M14 EBR-RI[25] M14 EBR-RI NM[26] M14 T[27]
Branch of ServiceUS Navy and US Air ForceUS Air ForceUS NavyUS NavyUS Marine CorpsUS ArmyUS ArmyUS Coast Guard
Years Built2004 – 20052004 – 20082006201120072008 – 201120102005
BuilderNSWC CraneSmith Enterprise, Inc.NSWC CraneNSWC CranePWS QuanticoRock Island Arsenal – TACOMRock Island Arsenal – TACOMNSWC Crane
Quantity Built1000125 (rebuilt Mk 14 Mod 0 rifles)500~ 2507006200not available500
ChassisSage M14ALCSSage M14ALCS (Milled Rail)Sage M14ALCS/CVSage M14ALCS/PMRI-HBSage M14ALCS (Milled Rail)Sage M14ALCSSage M14ALCS/PMRISage M14ALCS
ColorNSGNSGTanNSGNSGBlack (NSG – rare)BlackNSG
Pistol GripSage 90905Sage 90905TangoDown BG-16 FDESage M14ERGOSage 90905Sage M14ERGOSage M14ERGOSage 90905
HandguardBlack FullBlack FullTan ShortBlack FullTan Full (Black Full - rare)Black FullBlack FullBlack Full
Vertical Fore GripSage M14VFG (90906)Sage M14VFG (90906)TangoDown BGV-MK46 FDE--Sage M14VFG (90906)-Sage M14VFG (90906)
Butt StockSage M14ALCS-BSSage M14ALCS-BSSage M14ALCS/CV-BSSage M14ALCS/PMRI-BSSage M14ALCS-BSSage M14ALCS-BSSage M14ALCS/PMRI-BSSage M14ALCS-BS
Butt Stock Extension---Sage M14VABEK/PMRISage M14BEK (90911)---
Selector Switch/LockSwitchSwitchSwitchLockLockLockLockSwitch
BarrelSAI 18" Std. 1-11 ("Bush")SEI 18" Std./Med. 1-10SAI 18" Std. 1-11 ("Bush")22" Heavy 1-10Kreiger 22" Med. 1-12 (DMR)USGI 22" Std.SEI 22" Med. 1-10USGI 22" Std.
Flash HiderSEI 2000VSEI 2000VSureFire FH762KM14SEI 2000VUSGI (NM)USGI (NM)USGI (NM)SEI 2001
SuppressorM14 Direct Connect sound suppressorM14 Direct Connect sound suppressorSureFire 762K-DEWind Talker sound suppressor----
Front SightXS USN2 (11-2166-580-1)XS USN2 (11-2166-580-1)XS USN2 (11-2166-580-1)-USGI (NM .062)USGI (NM - rare)USGI (NM - rare)XS USN2 (11-2166-580-1)
Rear SightXS Large Aperture (0.125")XS Large Aperture (0.125")XS Large Aperture (0.125")-USGI (NM - rare)USGI (NM - rare)USGI (NM - rare)XS Large Aperture (0.125")
Gas LockSEI 2013 (GLFS-D-18)SEI 2013 (GLFS-D-18)SEI 2013 (GLFS-D-18)USGIUSGIUSGIUSGIUSGI
Gas SystemUSGISEI 2071, 2075, 2076USGISEI 2071, 2075, 2076USGIUSGISEI 2071, 2075, 2076USGI
Op Rod Spring GuideUSGIUSGIUSGIUSGI (NM)USGI (NM)USGIUSGIUSGI
Bolt Stop/ReleaseSEI 2003SEI 2003SEI 2003SEI 2003USGIUSGIUSGISEI 2003
OpticLeupold Mk 4 1.5-5x (67905)Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x (67940)Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x24mm FC-2 w/ZeroStopNightforce NXS 3.5-15x50mm MIL-DOT w/ZeroStopS&B 3-12x50mm (M8541)Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x (51850)Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x (51850)S&B 1.1-4x PM ShortDot
Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x (51850)AN/PVS-27 Night Vision (MUNS)
Scope RingsBadger 306-29 (30mm)SEI 7008 (30mm)Nightforce A118 (30mm)Nightforce A107 (30mm)Badger 306-75 (34mm)Leupold 61049 (30mm)Leupold 61049 (30mm)LaRue LT-139 (30mm – Lever)
Scope MountSage M14SCSBSEI 2006Larue LT-608NSWC CraneSEI 2006Sage M14DCSBSage M14DCSBLaRue LT-139 (30mm – Lever)
BipodHarris 1A2-BRMHarris 1A2-BRMTangodown ACB-4 FDEAtlas BT10 or BT10-LW17Harris S-BRMHarris 1A2-LHarris 1A2-LHarris S-BR or S-BRM
Bipod AdapterKAC 98060KAC 98060--KAC 98060KAC 98060KAC 98060LaRue LT-130 (Lever)
SlingBuffer Tech. TAS-M14Buffer Tech. TAS-M14Eagle Ind. FNH-ESS 1.25-DEBM60 Sling (1005-00-312-7177)Buffer Tech. TAS-M14
Magazine Count22567
Transport CaseEagle DC-M14Pelican iM3300-X0000 and Eagle DC-M14-EBR-KHPelican 1750-000-110
Multi-ToolBondhus 67255281Bondhus 67255281Bondhus 853485 (and 736540?)Bondhus 784285Bondhus 13026063Bondhus 13026063Bondhus 67255281
Other ComponentsFalcon/ERGO 4373CBFalcon/ERGO 4373CBTrijicon RMR 4MOAX-Treme V2 EBR Trigger ShoeSPA Defense SIMRAD B0634Sage M14SCSB
SEI Trigger Parts Kit (2060)Wilcox Red-Dot Mount (35101P01)BFG RMFL-125 Sling Mount (2)KMW Pod-Loc (875)Falcon/ERGO 4373CB
SEI Op Rod SpringMagpul CTR FDESage PMRI-FR
Magpul PTS CTR 1.25" Riser FDEFalcon/ERGO 4373BK
Tangodown BP-4 FDE (2)Caldwell Blind Bag (247261)
Tangodown BP-4K 2PANEL FDE

Contractors

Military

While the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division creates the military Mk 14 Mod 0 and Mod 1 rifles, Sage International was contracted to provide the weapon's chassis-type stock.[4]

Civilian

The civilian version created by Smith Enterprise Inc. is also known as the MK14 SEI[28] The Sage EBR chassis stock is available in a carbine variant known as the M14ALCS/CV.[29] The carbine variant is also known as the MK14 Mod 1.[19][30]

Others include Fulton Armory,[31] firing in semi-automatic mode instead of fully automatic.[32]

Troy Industries has created a replica of the EBR's modular system made by Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division called the Troy Modular Chassis System, which can be used by mounting any functioning M1A or M14 rifle on the MCS.[33] Philippine arms company FERFRANS has created their version of the Mk 14 Mod 0 called the FERFRANS SOPMOD M14/M1A Enhanced Battle Rifle, which uses a Sage International M14/M1A EBR Tactical Stock System aluminum chassis, an M4 buttstock, and a GRSC M4-62 General Purpose Combat Recticle.[34][35]

Reception

Users have praised the weapon to be user friendly due to it being ergonomic, having low recoil and an effective low-cost platform to change all "surplus M14s into modern battle rifles", as well as having the option of various optics and accessories left to the user's preference.[14]

Gallery

Users

See also

References

  1. ↑ "M14 7.62mm Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR)". October 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 M14 Rifle History. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
  3. ↑ My Personal Top Ten. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
  4. 1 2 New-era M14 alleviates reliability issues. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 MK 14 Mod 0 Retrieved on May 29, 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 Modern Firearm's M14 Page. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
  7. ↑ Navy SEALs to get new rifles. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
  8. ↑ The History and Development of the SAGE M14ALCS Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) chassis stock system. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
  9. ↑ CRAZY HORSE US NAVY MK14 SEI MOD 0. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
  10. 1 2 3 New-era M14 Alleviates Reliability Issues. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
  11. 1 2 3 AMC Deputy Chief of Staff on Target with M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
  12. ↑ Army's Chief of Staff visits Arsenal Island. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
  13. ↑ Fuller, BG Peter N.; COL Douglas A. Tamilio (18 May 2010). "Project Manager Soldier Weapons Briefing for NDIA" (PDF). PEO Soldier. United States Army. Retrieved 28 October 2010. Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)
  14. 1 2 3 M14 REBORN. Retrieved on September 25, 2008.
  15. 1 2 3 http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2012armaments/Wednesday13969Armstrong.pdf
  16. ↑ M14SE “CRAZY HORSE” SEMIAUTOMATIC SNIPER SYSTEM (SASS). Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
  17. ↑ The Modern M14. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
  18. ↑ M14SE “CRAZY HORSE” SQUAD DESIGNATED MARKSMAN (M14SE SDM) AND MK14 SEI RIFLE. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
  19. 1 2 Sage International Enhanced Battle Rifle Chassis Review. Retrieved on September 25, 2008.
  20. 1 2 M14 to MK14. Evolution of a Battle Rifle. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
  21. ↑ Gun Digest: Shoot Like a Sniper. F+W Media. 31 March 2014. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-4402-4294-6.
  22. ↑ Cutshaw, Charles Q (2006). "New-era M14 alleviates reliability issues". Jane's International Defence Review (Jane's Information Group) 39: 87. ISSN 0020-6512.
  23. 1 2 Brown, Robert K.; Spencer, Vann (13 December 2013). Soldier of Fortune Magazine Guide to Super Snipers. Boulder, CO: Skyhorse Publishing Company, Incorporated. p. 222. ISBN 978-1-62873-541-3.
  24. ↑ US Marine Infantry Combat Uniforms and Equipment 2000-12. Osprey Publishing. 18 September 2012. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-84908-799-5.
  25. ↑ Neville, Leigh; Carpenter, Shawn (2011). Enduring Freedom: Afghanistan 2001-2010. Osprey Publishing. p. 139. ISBN 978-1-84908-532-8.
  26. ↑ Rebecca Parker (March 8, 2010). "Ribbon Cutting ceremony opens new Soldier Weapons Readiness Center at Rock Island Arsenal". U.S. Army.
  27. ↑ Thompson, Leroy (20 October 2014). The M14 Battle Rifle. Osprey Publishing. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-4728-0255-2.
  28. ↑ Sage Enhanced Battle Rifle brochure. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
  29. ↑ Close Quarter Battle Variant Rifle brochure. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
  30. ↑ MK14 SEI MOD 1. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
  31. ↑ Fulton Armory M14/M1A Parts, Accessories, Tools and Books. Retrieved on September 22, 2008.
  32. ↑ 1,000 Rounds Through the Fulton Armory M-14. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
  33. ↑ LAW483 M14 MCS from TROY. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
  34. ↑ "FERFRANS SOAR Select-Fire SBRs and Carbines, and GRSC Combat Rifle Scope (CRS) at the Range". 2007-07-21. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  35. ↑ http://dzmm.abs-cbnnews.com/uploads/news2/4ba9c4cbc9d4bc70794e3ba598e0ece6/4ba9c4cbc9d4bc70794e3ba598e0ece6.jpg
  36. ↑ Hetherington, Andrew (3 February 2011). "Extreme Peril". Army News (Australia). Retrieved 9 June 2011.
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