The Rise and Fall and Rise of America’s Last Battle Rifle (M-14)

War is Boring ^ | November 13, 2014 | Paul Richard Huard

[C19fan]

Critics said the M-14 was what happened when the U.S. government took many years and spent millions of dollars designing a rifle that was really just a glorified M-1 Garand from World War II.

The M-14 was the U.S. military’s last battle rifle. It appeared in 1959—the contemporary of the Pentagon’s first jet fighters and ICBMs. With its heavy steel parts and walnut stock, the M-14 looked positively archaic.

It was hardly a Space Age weapon. And it only endured as America’s battle rifle until 1970, when the M-16 completely superseded it—the shortest service record of any U.S. military rifle in the 20th century.

Yet, the M-14 has come and gone and come back again. Its accuracy and power—it fires the 7.62 x 51 millimeter NATO round—have given it a new lease on life as a weapon for snipers and designated marksmen.

The M-14 refuses to surrender.

[Big Red Badger]

Gunporn,,,

[doorgunner69]

Gunporn,,,

Indeed, thanks for the ping. After reading, have nothing to add.Full auto also got hot real fast. Notice the cover being used as a handguard insulator.

[Big Red Badger]

Liked the Mini14 target,,,,
That rifle discouraged me many years,,,
Should have been sold with a Disclaimer!