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| M-14 rifle |
M-14 rifle is a selective fire weapon that replaced the M-1 Garand in US Army service. The military then transitioned to the M-16 rifle in the late 60’s and by 1970, the M-16 was the standard rifle of the US military. However, a few M-14’s remained.
Elements of the US Navy bitterly held on to their M-14’s — Navy Underwater Demolitions Teams became SEAL Teams and they felt that the M-14 was a better choice for many applications. They had better range and more hitting power than the lighter M-16’s. There was pressure for them to get turn in their M-14’s. At one point, they claimed that they’d all been turned in… (hahaha). Then again, in that timeframe, the Navy still had M-1 (1918) Thompson Submachine Guns in inventory. What can I say? It has issues with letting go of what it loves.
The SEALs were also told to turn in their handguns that fired .45 ACP and take the service issued 9mm handguns instead. That didn’t work out either. When the weapon that you carry is a matter of life and death, you tend to go with something that actually works rather than the bureaucrat’s choice for you. At least that was how the Navy saw it.
One legitimate complaint about the M-14 was its weight. They weighed roughly double what an M-16 weighs, the ammunition is heavier and more bulky. But while the US Military wasn’t thinking one-shot kills, the Navy was.
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| M-14 EBR |
Over time, the SEALs M-14’s evolved into the M-14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) which is still in service today
When you are talking M-14 these days, it’s only sort of your daddy’s M-14.
The M-14 EBR takes the standard M14 action and replaces the standard 22.0″ barrel with an 18.0″ barrel. The barreled action is then bolted into a telescoping chassis stock system, with a pistol grip, a different front sight, Harris bipod. The forestock is replaced by a Picatinny rail system and the “Navy flash hider” replaces the standard, lugged US military flash suppressor. A vertical foregrip makes the weapon easier to aim and shoot. Various sighting options are available. The Wind Talker silencer/suppressor is occasionally used in place of the the DC Vortex flash hider.
I personally prefer the M-14 to the M-16. The M-16 CAR has its uses, and I have carried it at times, but it doesn’t stand up to the M-14 as a combat weapon in my experience.
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| Fully “kitted out” M-14 EBR |
Ammunition comparisons (cycled through the Smith Enterprises Wind Talker):
This would be perfect for suppressing the feral hawg population in Central Texas in my opinion. I wish that a church group (hint-hint) would contribute to eliminating the feral hawg plague in Texas so that farmers could produce crops to feed a hungry world more easily. Buying these rifles for qualified shooters would go a long way toward solving this problem. (plug for LSP) If the Anglican Church buys me a rifle, I will bring my own ammo and will hunt the hawgs to extinction. Evenings will be spent BBQing steaks and roasting corn. How’s that for a deal?
On another note:
In the coming week, I will be working to get more funding for my company from New York bankers. None of the bankers that I’ve met are Muslims… Most of them are getting ready for Passover…
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| Let’s talk about race… |
There may be some on-the-road blogging as I trudge, hat in hand, through the Big Apple, begging for rich men’s table scraps, occasionally throwing my hands in the air, screaming “I can’t breathe”. That’s what people do in NY/NY these days, right?
I’m not going to put tape over my mouth because that would keep me from eating pizza and alternatively screaming, “I can’t breathe”. Hopefully nobody throws a Heimlich maneuver chest lock on me while I’m trying to blend in with the rest of the liberals in the Big Apple.
Therefore, I’m announcing here on this blog that my political correctness can only go so far – it has limits. My hypocrisy, however, would seemingly be limitless — in New York, anyway.
I was one of the last of the groups going to basic and learning on the M1. Very heavy – especially when running with it.
Loved my M-1. Never warmed up to the M-14. It may have evolved into a fine weapon but the early ones weren't reliable.
Yes, even heavier than the M-14.
I don't think that you would have liked the M-16 either. The early models (before the forward assist) were very prone to jamming in combat conditions where it's muddy and dirty. The weapon had to be kept pristine in order to assure functionality. Today, 40 years later, the M-4 (ancestor to the M-16) is a good carbine, but it still lacks punch in my opinion.
Had a chance to fire M-16s but only on a range. Didn't form an opinion one way or the other. When stationed in Germany, my first purchase when I got some money together was a bolt action .308 from the Rod and Gun Club.
Just a thought from the peanut gallery. What about local funding. You see, I hate New York.
As far as M-14's go, it's all I ever had in the Army. It was, as you say, very heavy. You couldn't hurt it, but it was really tough to hold on a target when rapid firing. I did manage to qualify with the M-16. I heard it was tough (1968 – 1969 )to keep clean enough to keep it working at that time, but it sure stayed on that target. While in Vietnam, I put 20,000 miles on a deuce and a half. I was the company scrounger you know. I always carried a .45 and an M-79, and my co-pilot would carry the M-14.
I have to say, the EBR sounds like a fine hog gun. We'll have to sort that out.
Back in the olden days, we were issued with L1A1s. My Israeli friends call them "broomsticks"!
I fired my share of rounds through the SLR on the range when attached to 62 Commando in N. Ireland. No combat shots, but as an American, we weren't there to shoot.
I hope that you still have the rifle.
Between the thumper and the M-14, you had the means to defend yourself with the .45 available for point defense.
Funny, I figured you for the company scrounger ;^)
There is precious little opportunity for local funding. We've knocked on every single door in Nevada.
Isn't limitless hypocrisy absolutely appropriate for NYC? I wish you well and much success – Excelsior!
My AR's a a bit MEH compared to the '44 Garand – the newer skeletonized M1A1 stock is cool too.
Was that you chuckling in the video? 🙂 And I've been to Crane, I really want to get my hands on one of those rifles… Sigh. Stay safe up there in NYC.
Tally-ho.
It's warm where I am. It's cold in NY. Which is why I usually am where I am and not there.
And to be frank, the area I live in is just about as conservative as I am. All of California isn't a den of fruits, nuts and freaks — but there are clearly enough of those who support the ObamaNation through the area to out-vote us on statewide issues.
Linked.
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