Why does the Old Guard and the USMC Drill Teams still use the M-14?
The Drill Teams at Texas A&M (Fish Drill Team and Ross Volunteers) use the classic 30-06 1903A3. Similar to the M14, they have a good balance, few over-hanging and extended parts to catch hands, arms, clothes and gloves, and have a good solid “tone” when caught and thrown hard as a glove hits the wood. Plastic just doesn't sound the same.
The smooth wood makes safer, easier catches and tosses to the other drill team members. As a weapon spins during a throw or a spin, you need to be able to grab it and stop it even if it is thrown a few inches (or feet) out-of-position or out-of-rotation.
I was on an ROTC drill team that used 1903 Springfields. A great rifle for the purpose. Once in a competition, when doing the maneuver that involved slapping the rifle butt smartly on the ground, I slammed the Springfield butt down hard on my foot. Hurt like a bastard, but I didn’t make a sound and kept going through the drill.