[onedoug]

‘Took Army Basic at Ft Gordon GA, AUG 1967 with the M-14. Now there was a great rifle.

[ASA Vet]

It was the last Army rifle. Then they switched to Mattel’s because they were swell.

[ASA Vet]

[umgud]

Ditto, Ft Ord CA, 1969 with an M-14 in basic, M-16 in infantry.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Popular Science, August 1967. "How Good is our New Vietnam Rifle?." I remember reading that as a 16 year old at the time. Lots of controversy about jamming in the jungle.

[shibumi]

I went through Basic at Fort Leonard Wood in February ‘69.
The M14 was still the primary weapon at that time.
I got my M16 training when I arrived at Fort Gordon for MP School a couple of months later.

Although the M16 was lighter and had less recoil, most everyone still preferred the M14.
But by the time I got to VietNam in 1970, the M16 had become ubiquitous.

One of these days I’d like to add a good M14 to my collection.

[doorgunner69]

As much as I loved the M-14 and how well it shot, and "coped" with the fixed stock Mattel toy. I can understand the current military with body armor. Shouldering an M-14 with the armor I see the kids wearing now demands an adjustable tool.

At least the snipers are allowed real rifles..............

[NTHockey]

Boot camp at MCRD Parris Island in 1959 with M-1 Garand. Loved it.

Qualified in 1962 with M-14. Hated it.