300,000 M-14s destined for trash pile

WorldNet Daily ^ | June 15, 2003

[Mini-14]

A petition drive is underway to convince lawmakers to "civilianize" hundreds of thousands of M-14 military battle rifles so they can be legally sold by the government to the general public as a way to pay for the Iraq war.

According to the online petition, "there is a strong demand for an M-14 DCM [Director of Civilian Marksmanship] program, which will curb government waste by providing up to $300-600 million [for] deficit reduction."

 

M-14

"With uncertainty of the price tag of the current war, this will help pay for freedoms we enjoy in this country," says the petition. "With the looming war deficit, our government should not throw away hundreds of millions of dollars by destroying M-14 rifles – some of which are brand new."

The petition, which is being spearheaded by Robert A. Yoder, says as many as 300,000 rifles could wind up in the scrap heap without the government getting any return on its investment.

The DCM program to save the M-14s could work like a similar program involving another venerable military workhorse, the M-1 (Garand) and M-1 carbine series of military rifles.

 

M1 Garand

The DCM sold those through the Civilian Marksmanship Program, a course that promotes firearms safety training and rifle practice for all qualified U.S. citizens with special emphasis on youth.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program also offers for sale AR-15-type match rifles, M1917 Enfields, M1903 bolt-action rifles (a former U.S. military weapon) and .22-caliber target rifles at subsidized rates.

 

M1903 bolt-action rifle

"The U.S. Rifle, 7.62 mm, M-14 was the first rifle the U. S. fielded that improved upon the highly regarded U. S. Rifle, Caliber.30, M1 (Garand) and attempted to give U. S. Forces a NATO-standardized weapon," says the online petition. "The M-14 came into active service around 1957 and remained the standard infantry weapon until the official adoption of the M-16 rifle in the late 1960s.

"Like its predecessor, the M-14 is now relegated to ship's arms rooms, ROTC detachments, storage bins in government arsenals and, of late, the demilitarized scrap pile," says the petition.

[Mini-14]

bang

[joesnuffy]

You just made me cry...
I hope you are happy with yourself

[Mini-14]

Only a truly evil person could destroy a M-14.

[ExSES]

The DCM program to save the M-14s could work like a similar program involving another venerable military workhorse, the M-1 (Garand) and M-1 carbine series of military rifles.

But.... (lips quivering) it looks "evil"....

Ahhh for the "Good Old Days" when DCM sold $12.50 M1911's and $20.00 M1 Carbines!!!!

[sfvgt]

AR-15/M-16 is the way to go.........no doubt

[Cap'n Crunch]

Heck, their giving them away to police dept.'s. Were getting 4 M-14's and 4 M-16's too. Said it was for Homeland Security.

I'd like to have an '03 Springfield. Would go nice with my M-1 carbine and my M-1A.

[joesnuffy]

If uncle sugar would just sell them for 500 bucks a pop that would be a nice chunk of change...
He could even fund medical care for disabled combat vets with the moolah ..at least offset some costs..

[joesnuffy]

300,000 rifles could wind up in the scrap heap without the government getting any return on its investment.

Without the govt getting any return.... & here I thought they were bought with tax payers money...

[Atlas Sneezed]

"AR-15/M-16 is the way to go.........no doubt"

It's a classic debate, but there inarguably is doubt.

If the enemies of your freedom were carrying M-16s, and were over 400 yards away (or closer, with light intervening brush), wouldn't you vastly prefer to have a .308 (such as the M14), so that you could get solid hits out to 600 yards, before they ever got within the range of their varmint rifles?

[PoorMuttly]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[glorgau]

I want one!

[OldCorps]

"He could even fund medical care for disabled combat vets with the moolah ..at least offset some costs.."

Uncle Sam provide decent medical care for those wounded in action in the service of our country? Not likely! Just look at the members of the senate! You think they're going to support something honorable?

[Atlas Sneezed]

The market price (even accounting for the effect on the market of releasing them) is closer to $1500, not $500. Those USGI forged receivers, even if fully stripped, should fetch EASILY $500 each, maybe $750.

Anything at or under $1000, and they would be an excellent investment with which to fill your basement.

[sfvgt]

most firefights happen within 200 yards.......and I don't want to haul a 11 pound plus 308........it's just personal taste, to me, the weight of the weapon is critical when on the move......

[The KG9 Kid]

Air-drop every one of these into Iran with six loaded mags apiece, I say.

I'll buy one back at a premium when the Federal Republic of Persia sends them back to the US.

[Shooter 2.5]

Just to let you know, I saw a high speed photograph of a .308 being deflected by a playing card. I also saw a demonstration where a .50 BMG bullet was deflected by a one inch tree branch.

[OldCorps]

I've fired every Army rife and machine gun that was in use from the 80's to the late 90's. This includes grease guns, M16's (of course), an occasional M14, M60 and M2 machine guns. Also fired some appropriated AK47s and AKMSs.

I was amazed at the accuracy of the M14. To my mind, this is really a great rifle, probably the most accurate firearm in wide distribution within the military. Were I a company commander today, I'd want a soldier in each platoon armed with a sniper version of the M14.

[Shooter 2.5]

I don't know when you got out of the military, but the M-16 is a lot better than when I was in. The Garands and the M1A's are disappearing from the High Power Matches. 600 yards max.

The M-16's are also a lot easier to maintain.

Overall though, I can't argue that a scoped M-14 is an incredible weapon for 600-900.

[gitmo]

Without the govt getting any return.... & here I thought they were bought with tax payers money...

Good point! I can't believe I missed that when I read the article. They should be given away to taxpayers who would like to have them.

I used to have an old M1. Hadn't thought about it in years.