In the spring of 1970 I found six virtually unused M14’s (with resin stocks) in our battalion supply when I became support platoon leader. They had probably been used for cermonial purposes only and weren’t on the property list.
I took the best one and that’s what I carried for the next year or so. When I got transferred to the 1st Cav I took it with me. Nobody said a thing. (Try to imagine that happening in today’s Army.)
The Cav’s sniper school gun smiths at Bien Hoa accurized it for me. It was a tack-driver. They also put a selector switch on it. Mastering full auto with it took some practice but I did it.
It was a boat anchor compared to the Car-15 I had carried but it was a true rifle. Loved the damned thing.
Only regret was I couldn’t figure out a way to sneak it back home.
Disassemble and ship in several packages.