Posted on 04/20/2018 5:09:14 AM PDT by w1n1
The M14 Rifle has a long history in the military (USMC) that continues to this day.
It is an American automatic rifle that fires 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 in) ammunition. Replaced the M1 Garand in 1959 for the U.S. military.
This service weapon was used as a ceremonial weapon and sniper/designated marksman as well. Hunters have also enjoyed this weapon for hunting and plinking.
The US M14 Service Rifle is one military rifle that transcends through time. This tough 7.62x51mm caliber gives this rifle a powerful punch.
When the shorter-range M4 Carbines cant reach the enemy, the M14 certainly will.
Many M14s from the Vietnam War era have reclaimed a purpose for reaching way out to long-distance targets.
Really great for hunting from a far. See the full action footage of this historic M14 rifle in action here.
I carried an M14 for my first 6 months in Vietnam. Great rifle. Then they took it away from me and gave me an M16 that jammed on a regular basis, once during a fire-fight with the Viet Cong. I really hated that POS M16.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f_Kn-oX1a4
Semper Fi, Ermey.
I've researched getting an M14 and it would appear that it's either illegal in civilian hands or there are just none to be found for sale...I'm not sure which is true.
Here ya go. Springfield Armory labels it M1A but it’s the M14 you are familiar with:
https://www.springfield-armory.com/products/standard-m1a/
When in 69 were you there? I arrived around 4/9/69
I have an m1a, so it’s an m14 with no full auto mode.
Full auto is a waste in my expert opinion anyways unless you’re on a crew served mounted weapon.
I love my rifle, though I’ve done quite a bit to it, it doesn’t look like the classic anymore. I’ll probably get a second one, just to keep it in the stock condition.
October...can't recall the exact day (surprisingly).
"Echo Thirteen Four...we always come back for more..Echo,Echo,Echo galore!"
An actual M-14 is capable of full-auto fire, so it’s restricted. You can buy one made before 1986 if you pay $200 for the tax stamp and undergo a background check. About 9 month wait, IIRC.
Or, you can buy the civilian semi-auto-only version from a variety of manufacturers, starting at around $1500.
I don't recall the M14 having full auto capability.But then I only handled one in BCT (and never served in combat) so maybe I just missed that.I guess that capability would explain why it's not available to civilians.
The Ruger M14 tactical or the M14 Ranch Rifle are good 'settle for' pieces. Though they don't chamber 7.62, they're still nice.
The M14 go switch had to be installed by the armorer, rather than just being there like the M16.
Hard to find but a civi can buy with a Class 3 stamp. It is a beast and only difference (you probably know) between it and M1A is the M1A is semi-auto. I have both with the M1A being in match grade.
With the M-14, I think they added the full-auto mode so that it could be used like a BAR, except the M-14 doesn't have the mass to prevent it from jumping around on full auto (unless you have it prone on a bipod).
M-14 is a SEMI-automatic rifle, the M-14E2 version with select fire was used as the “squad automatic weapon”. No special requirements to own M-14/M-1A, while select fire versions would require Class 3 weapon authorization from ATF.
Loved the M-14 when introduced to it in 68. Had not shot anything beyond 22 hornet till then. Qualified expert on it in BT at Ft Dix. This rifle fired under all conditions and level of cleanliness, no jams. I had no combat time with it (or M-16) as never left US.
The M-14 we used I recall being semi auto only...don’t recall any selector switch. The M-16 I later qualified on had the three choice switch.
I’ve wanted a Springfield M1A for a long time...it was my first semi-auto .308 love (lust?). But too many other young things got in the way and depleted the budget. Maybe one of these days...
I wish Springfield would come out with a M1A in 30.06...
If you look close you will see that on full auto after the first round the muzzle rise was enough to take the rounds way off target and just waste ammo.
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