[knarf]

I did basic in ‘65 and remember all this (sigh), except .. we never had an auto option, or I don’t remember it.

[Jack Hammer]

Auto options are over-rated; unless you’re facing a charge at fifteen feet, it’s largely an enormous waste of ammunition.

Anyway, that M-14... very sweet.

[downtownconservative]

Qual’ed with the M14 at Quantico, OCS in 1972. Awesome weapon. Had to shoot the M15 thereafter. Not so Awesome IMHO.

[elcid1970]

I qualified on the M-14 in 1969. They all had the select fire button & disconnector but only those designated as the `squad automatic rifle’ were equipped with the select fire lever to go full auto.

I love my M1A which replaces the M-14 of my youth. Even after forty years of qualifying on the M-16 which to me is still a large toothbrush. Carried it in Vietnam. Sucks.

[doorgunner69]

except .. we never had an auto option, or I don’t remember it.

You did not miss anything. When we got to RVN in 67 we scrounged up a few selectors (being in ordnance helped) and popped them on. One tiny roll pin.

Instant chaos, virtually impossible to hit anything after the first shot. Have photos of me holding the stock down to try and control muzzle rise. Not conducive to accuracy either.

Oddly, a buddy found a bipod intended for the M15 I believe, and the thing was almost useful from prone with that. Still, twenty rounds went very fast and hot. I had hair back then