Good to know. What is the official nomenclature? I’d like to learn more. Thanks.
“The US military has quietly re-adopted a scaled-down version of the M-14 using the .30 caliber round. ...”
Scaled down? In what dimensions?
One presumes they’re using 7.62 NATO, as the M14 never did chamber any more “original” 30 cal, neither the 30-40 nor the 30-06.
Various industry sources surmised that the frantic search for individual weapons with greater effective range began circa 2006. By then, the M14 was out of the NSN system and MIL STD parts were not to be found anywhere.
Modular style stock systems have been developed by enterprising US manufacturers, but they weigh far more than any original stock, and cost more than a basic rifle.
But then, no one has ever accused USN of system procurement that is either straightforward, speedy, efficient, or cheap. And when it comes to USSOCOM, no one will ever know what they’ve done, nor why (certainly not the average citizen). One hopes that the public does not react with an angry backlash, and that the effectiveness enhancements have been worth it.