Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14
M14 rifle, shown here without a magazine.
Type	Battle rifle, designated marksman rifle, sniper rifle
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1959–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Vietnam War–present
Production history
Designed	1954
Produced	1959–1964[1][2]
Number built	1.5 million [3]
Variants	M14E1, M14E2/M14A1, M14K, M21, M25, Mk 14 EBR, M1A rifle
Specifications
Weight	9.8 lb (4.4 kg) empty 11.5 lb (5.2 kg) w/ loaded magazine
Length	46.5 in (1,181 mm)
Barrel length	22 in (559 mm)
Cartridge	7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester)
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	700–750 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	850 m/s (2,800 ft/s)
Effective range	460 m (500 yd)[4] 800+ m (875+ yd) (with optics)
Feed system	20-round detachable box magazine or 50-round coil magazine[5]
Sights	Aperture rear sight, "barleycorn" front sight

M14 rifle, formally the United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14,^[6] is an American selective fire automatic rifle firing 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) ammunition. It was the standard issue U.S. rifle from 1959 to 1970.^[7] The M14 rifle was used for U.S. Army and Marine Corps basic and advanced individual training, and was the standard issue infantry rifle for U.S. military personnel in the Contiguous United States, Europe, and South Korea, until it was replaced by the M16 rifle, in 1970. The M14 rifle remains in limited front line service within all branches of the U.S. military, and is also used as a ceremonial weapon by honor guards, color guards, drill teams, ceremonial guards, and the like.

The M14 rifle was also the last American "battle rifle" (a term applied to weapons firing full-power rifle ammunition, such as the 7.62mm cartridge) issued in quantity to U.S. military personnel. The M14 rifle also provides the basis for the M21 and M25 sniper rifles.

History[link]

Early development[link]

The M14 was developed from a long line of experimental weapons based upon the M1 rifle. Although the M1 was among the most advanced infantry rifles of the late 1930s, it was not a perfect weapon. Modifications were beginning to be made to the basic M1 rifle's design since the twilight of World War II. Changes included adding fully automatic firing capability and replacing the 8-round en bloc clips with a detachable box magazine holding 20 rounds. Winchester, Remington, and Springfield Armory's own John Garand offered different conversions. Garand's design, the T20, was the most popular, and T20 prototypes served as the basis for a number of Springfield test rifles from 1945 through the early 1950s.^{[citation needed]}

T25 prototype

In 1945, Earle Harvey of Springfield Armory designed a completely different rifle, the T25, for the new T65 .30 Light Rifle cartridge at the direction of Col. Rene Studler, then serving in the Pentagon.^[8] In late 1945 the two men were transferred to Springfield Armory, where work on the T25 continued.^[8] The T-25 was designed to use the T65 service cartridge, a Frankford Arsenal design based upon .30-06 cartridge case used in the M1 service rifle, but shortened to the length of the .300 Savage case.^[8] Although shorter than the .30-06, with less powder capacity, the T65 cartridge retained the ballistics and energy of the .30-06 due to the use of a recently developed ball powder made by Olin Industries.^[8][9] After experimenting with several bullet designs, the T65 was finalized for adoption as the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge.^[8] Olin Industries later marketed the cartridge on the commercial market as the commercial .308 Winchester round.^[8] After a series of revisions by Earle Harvey and other members of the .30 Light Rifle design group following the 1950 Ft. Benning tests, the T25 was renamed the T47.^[8]

In contrast, the T44 prototype service rifle was not principally designed by any single engineer at Springfield Armory, but rather was a conventional design developed on a shoestring budget as an alternative to the T47.^[8] With only minimal funds available, the earliest T44 prototypes simply used T20E2 receivers fitted with magazine filler blocks and re-barreled for 7.62mm NATO, with the long operating rod/piston of the M1 replaced by the T47's gas cut-off system.^[8] Lloyd Corbett, an engineer in Earle Harvey's rifle design group, added various refinements to the T44 design, including a straight operating rod and a bolt roller to reduce friction.^[8]

Infantry Board Service Rifle trials[link]

The T44 participated in a competitive service rifle competition conducted by the Infantry Board at Ft. Benning, Georgia against the Springfield T47 (a modified T25) and Fabrique Nationale's "Fusil Automatique Leger" (French for "Light Automatic Rifle"), designated T48.^[10] The T47, which did not have a bolt roller and performed worse in dust and cold weather tests than either the T44 or the T48 was dropped from consideration in 1953.^[8] During 1952-53, testing proved the T48 and the T44 roughly comparable in performance, with the T48 holding an advantage in ease of field stripping and dust resistance, as well as a longer product development lead time.^[10][8] A Newsweek article in July 1953 hinted that the T48/FAL might be selected over the T44.^[8][11] During the winter of 1953-54, both rifles competed in the winter rifle trials at U.S. Army facilities in the Arctic.^[10][12] Springfield Armory engineers, anxious to ensure the selection of the T44, had been specially preparing and modifying the test T44 rifles for weeks with the aid of the Armory's Cold Chamber, including redesign of the T44 gas regulator and custom modifications to magazines and other parts to reduce friction and seizing in extreme cold.^[10][12]. The T48 rifles received no such special preparation, and in the continued cold weather testing began to experience sluggish gas system functioning, aggravated by the T48's close-fitting surfaces between bolt and carrier and carrier and receiver.^[10][12][8] FN engineers opened the gas ports in an attempt to improve functioning, but this caused early/violent extraction and broken parts as a result of the increased pressures.^[10][12][8] As a result, the T44 was ranked superior in cold weather operation to the T48 in cold weather operation.^[10] The Arctic Test Board report made it clear that the T48 needed improvement and that the U.S. would not adopt the T48 until it had successfully completed another round of Arctic tests the following winter.^[10][8]

In June 1954, funding was finally made available to manufacture newly fabricated T44 receivers specially designed for the shorter T65 cartridge.^[8] This one change to the T44 design saved a pound in rifle weight over that of the M1 Garand.^[8] Tests at Ft. Benning with the T44 and T48 continued through the summer and fall of 1956.^[8] By this time, the T48/FAL rifles had been so improved that malfunction rates were almost as low as the T44.^[8]

In the end, the T44 was selected over the T48/FAL primarily because of weight (the T44 was a pound lighter than the T48), simplicity (the T44 had fewer parts), the T44's self-compensating gas system, and the argument that the T44 could be manufactured on existing machinery built for the M1 rifle (a concept that later turned out to be unworkable).^{[10][12][8][13]} In 1957, the U.S. formally adopted the T44 as the U.S. infantry service rifle, designated M14.^[8]

Production contracts[link]

Initial production contracts for the M-14 were awarded to the Springfield Armory, Winchester, and Harrington & Richardson.^[14] Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge Inc. (TRW) would later be awarded a production contract for the rifle as well.^[14] 1,376,031 M-14 service rifles were produced from 1959 to 1964.^[14]

National Match M14[link]

Springfield Armory produced 6,641 new M14 NM rifles in 1962 and 1963, while TRW produced 4,874 new M14 NM rifles in 1964.^[14] Springfield Armory later upgraded 2,094 M14 rifles in 1965 and 2,395 M14 rifles in 1966 to National Match specifications, while 2,462 M14 rifles were rebuilt to National Match standards in 1967 at the Rock Island Arsenal.^[14] A total of 11,130 National Match rifles were delivered by Springfield Armory, Rock Island Arsenal, and TRW during 1962-1967.^[14]

Production M14 rifles made by Springfield Armory and Winchester used forged receivers and bolts milled from AINSI 8620 steel, a low-carbon molybdenum-chromium steel.^[14] Harrington & Richardson M-14 production used AINSI 8620 steel as well, except for ten receivers milled from AINSI 1330 low-carbon steel and a single receiver made from high-nickel-content alloy steel.^[14]

Deployment[link]

Experimental T47 rifle

After the M14's adoption, Springfield Armory began tooling a new production line in 1958, delivering the first service rifles to the U.S. Army in July 1959. However, long production delays resulted in the 101st Airborne Division being the only unit in the Army fully equipped with the M14 by the end of 1961. The Fleet Marine Force finally completed the change from M1 to M14 in late 1962. Springfield Armory records reflect that M14 manufacture ended as TRW, fulfilling its second contract, delivered its final production increment in Fiscal Year 1965 (1 July '64 – 30 June '65). The Springfield archive also indicates the 1.38 million rifles were acquired for just over $143 million, for a unit cost of about $104.^[1][2]

A U.S. soldier with an M14 watches as supplies are dropped in Vietnam during 1967.

The rifle served adequately during its brief tour of duty in Vietnam.^[15] Though it was unwieldy in the thick brush due to its length and weight, the power of the 7.62 mm NATO cartridge allowed it to penetrate cover quite well and reach out to extended range, developing 2,470 ft·lbf (3,350 J) of muzzle energy. However, there were several drawbacks to the M14. The traditional wood stock of the rifle had a tendency to swell and expand in the heavy moisture of the jungle, adversely affecting accuracy. Fiberglass stocks were produced to resolve this problem, but the rifle was discontinued before very many could be distributed for field use. Also, because of the M14's powerful 7.62x51 mm cartridge, the weapon was deemed virtually uncontrollable in fully automatic mode, so most M14s were permanently set to semi-automatic fire only to avoid wasting ammunition in combat.^[16][17][18]

The M14 was developed as a means of taking the place of four different weapons systems—the M1 rifle, the M1 Carbine, the M3 "Grease Gun" and the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). It was thought that in this manner the M14 could simplify the logistical requirements of the troops if it took the place of four weapons. It proved to be an impossible task to replace all four, and the weapon was even deemed "completely inferior" to the World War II M1 in a September 1962 report by the comptroller of the Department of Defense.^[19] The cartridge was too powerful for the submachine gun role and the weapon was simply too light to serve as a light machine gun replacement for the BAR.^{[citation needed]} (The M60 machine gun better served this specific task.)

A rare M14 presentation model, serial #0010

Replacement[link]

The M14 remained the primary infantry weapon in Vietnam until it was replaced by the M16 in 1966–1967. Further procurement of the M14 was abruptly halted in late 1963 due to the above mentioned Department of Defense report which had also stated that the AR-15 (soon to be M16) was superior to the M14 (DOD did not cancel FY 1963 orders not yet delivered). After the report, a series of tests and reports by the United States Department of the Army followed that resulted in the decision to cancel the M14.^[19] The M16 was then ordered as a replacement for the M14 by direction of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara in 1964, over the objection of those Army officers who had backed the M14 (other factions within the Army research and development community had opposed the M14 and the 7.62x51 mm round from the start). Though production of the M14 was officially discontinued, some disgruntled troops still managed to hang on to them while deriding the M16 as a frail and under-powered "Mattel toy"^[20] or "poodle shooter". In January 1968 the U.S. Army designated the M16 as the "Standard A" rifle, and the M14 became a "Limited Standard" weapon. The M14 rifle remained the standard rifle for U.S. Army Basic Training and troops stationed in Europe until 1970.^{[citation needed]}

The U.S. Army also converted several M14s into the M21 sniper rifle, which remained standard issue for this purpose until the adoption of the M24 SWS in 1988.

Post-1970 U.S. military service[link]

An Army marksman in Fallujah, Iraq, using an M14 with a Leupold LR/T 10×40 mm M3.

In the mid-1990s, the Marine Corps chose a new rifle for DM use, an M14 modified by the Precision Weapons Shop in Marine Corps Base Quantico called the Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR). It is intended for use by security teams (SRTs, FAST companies), and Marine Scout Snipers in the cases where a semi-automatic rifle would be more appropriate than the standard bolt-action M40A1/A3 rifle. The USMC Rifle Team uses the M14 in shooting competitions. Although the M14 was phased out as the standard-issue rifle by 1970, M14 variants are still used by various branches of the U.S. Military as well as other armed forces, especially as a sniper rifle and as a designated marksman rifle, due to its excellent accuracy and effectiveness at long range. Special active units such as the OPFOR units of the Joint Readiness Training Center use M14s. Few M14s were in use in the Army until the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. Since the start of these conflicts, many M14s have been employed as designated marksman and sniper rifles. These are not M21 rifles, but original production M14s. Common modifications include scopes, fiberglass stocks, and other accessories.^[21] A 2009 study conducted by the U.S. Army revealed that half of the engagements in Afghanistan occurred from beyond 300 meters (330 yd).^[22] America’s 5.56x45 mm NATO service rifles are ineffective at these ranges; this has prompted the reissue of thousands of M14s.^[23]

A USMC Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) in use

A Gunner's Mate using an M14 rifle to fire a shot line from the USS Carter Hall to USNS Lewis and Clark.

The 1st Battalion of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment ("The Old Guard") in the Military District of Washington is the sole remaining regular United States Army combat field unit where the M14 is still issued as the standard rifle, along with a chromed bayonet and an extra wooden stock with white sling for military funerals, parades, and other ceremonies. The United States Air Force Honor Guard uses a version of the M14.^[24] The United States Navy Ceremonial Guard and Base Honor Guards also use the M14 for 3-volley salutes in military funerals. It is also the drill and parade rifle of the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, The Citadel, Norwich University, Virginia Military Institute, and North Georgia College and State University.^[25] U.S. Navy ships carry several M14s in their armories. They are issued to sailors going on watch out on deck in port, and to Backup Alert Forces. The M14 is also used to shoot a large rubber projectile to another ship when underway to start the lines over for alongside refueling and replenishment.^{[citation needed]}

A SEAL operator with an M14 rifle participating in maritime interdiction enforcement during Operation Desert Storm.

Various sniper variants have been used by the United States Navy SEALs, often mistaken with M21 in the overt literature, only one of them has received a standard name in the U.S. military designations system: the M25, developed by the Special Forces. These sniper variants have probably been replaced by the Mk 11 Mod 0, selected in 2000. SEALs also use the Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR (Enhanced Battle Rifle) for close-quarters battle and in a designated marksman role. "Delta Force" units are known to have used M14 sniper variants. According to Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, the well-known account of the Battle of Mogadishu, at least one of the "D-Boys", Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart, used an M14 for sniping from helicopters to provide support fire to ground troops. His M14 was possibly fitted with an Aimpoint 3000 sight.^{[citation needed]}

The U.S. Army Special Forces ("Green Berets") have made some use of the M25 "spotter rifle". The M25 was developed in the late 1980s within the 10th Special Forces Group, which was charged to support Special Forces sniper weapons as well as the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course (SOTIC). The M25 was first planned as a replacement for the old M21, but after the Army adoption of the M24 SWS as its standard sniper rifle, the M25 was intended to be used by spotters of the sniper teams, while the snipers would use the bolt-action M24. Tests had shown that the M24 and M25 have the same precision when using the same M118 ammunition.^{[citation needed]}

Though the M14 has remained in service longer than any U.S. infantry rifle with the exception of the Springfield M1903 rifle, it also holds the distinction of serving as the standard infantry rifle of the U.S. Army for a shorter span of time than almost any other service rifle, staying as standard issue two years longer than the Springfield Model 1892-99.^{[citation needed]}

Service with non-U.S. nations[link]

The Philippine government issues M14 rifles, as well as M1 carbines, M1 rifles and M16 rifles, to their civilian defense forces and to various cadet corps in their service academies. The Greek Navy also uses the M14.

M14 production tooling was sold in 1967 to the Republic of China (Taiwan), who in 1968 began producing their Type 57 Rifle. The State Arsenal of the Republic of China produced over 1 million of these rifles from 1969 to the present under model numbers of M305 and M14S.

In China, Norinco and Poly Technologies have produced M14 variants in the past for export, which were sold in the United States prior to the enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.^[26] They are currently being sold in Canada and New Zealand only.^[27] They have been marketed under the M14S^[28] and M305^[29] names.

Variants and related designs[link]

Military[link]

M15[link]

The M15 was a modified M14 developed as a replacement for the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle for use as a squad automatic weapon. It added a heavier barrel and stock, a hinged buttplate, a selector switch for fully automatic fire, and a bipod. The sling was from the BAR. Like the M14, it was chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO.

Firing tests showed that the M14, when equipped with the selector switch, hinged buttplate and bipod, performed as well as the M15. As a result, the M15 was dropped and the modified M14 became the squad automatic weapon. Accuracy and control problems with this variant led to the addition of a pistol grip, a folding rubber covered metal foregrip and a muzzle stabilizer. The final design was designated as the M14A1.

M14E1[link]

The M14E1 was tested with a variety of folding stocks to provide better maneuverability and the like for armored infantry, paratroopers and others. No variant was standardized.

M14E2/M14A1[link]

Selective fire version of the standard M14 used as a squad automatic weapon. Successor to the short-lived M15 rifle. The developmental model was known as the M14E2. First designated as M14E2 when it was issued in 1963 and redesignated as M14A1 in 1966.

M14M (Modified)/M14NM (National Match)[link]

The M14M is a semi-automatic only version of the standard M14 and was developed for use in civilian rifle marksmanship activities such as the Civilian Marksmanship Program. M14M rifles were converted from existing M14 rifles by welding the select-fire mechanism to prevent full-automatic firing. The M14NM (National Match) is an M14M rifle built to National Match accuracy standards.

The M14M and M14NM rifles are described in a (now-obsolete) Army regulation, AR 920-25, "Rifles, M14M and M14NM, For Civilian Marksmanship Use," dated 8 February 1965. Paragraph 2, among other things, stated that the Director of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Division, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury (predecessor to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) had ruled that M14M and M14NM rifles so modified would not be subject to the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA) and, as such, could be sold or issued to civilians. However, with the passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968, the NFA was amended to prohibit sales of previously modified automatic weapons such as the M14M and M14NM to civilians.

M14 SMUD[link]

Stand-off Munition Disruption, used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel to destroy unexploded ordnance. Essentially an M14 National Match rifle with scope.

Mk 14 EBR[link]

Shorter (18 inch barrel), more tactical version of the M14, with a retractable stock and multiple rails for more accessories.

M14 Tactical[link]

Modified M14 using the same stock as the Mk 14 but with a 22 inch barrel and a Smith Enterprise muzzle brake, used by the U.S. Coast Guard.

M14 Designated Marksman Rifle[link]

Modified designated marksman version of the M14, used by the U.S. Marine Corps.

M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle[link]

Modified M14 DMR fitted with the same stock as Mk 14, used by the U.S. Marine Corps.

M89SR Model 89 Sniper Rifle[link]

An M14 in bullpup configuration first introduced by Sardius in the 1980s. Later produced by Technical Equipment International (TEI) for the IDF

AWC G2A Sniper Rifle[link]

Modified M14 with bullpup stock designed by Lynn McWilliams and Gale McMillian in the late 1990s. Produced and delivered for testing at the Fort Bragg sniper school.

M21, M25 sniper rifles[link]

The M21 and M25 are accurized sniper rifle versions, built to closer tolerances than the standard M14. These are the more-standard sniper rifle variants of the M14.

Commercial production[link]

A U.S. Border Patrol Agent with M14 during a law enforcement memorial service.

Armscorp M14[link]

From 1987 to 1994, Armscorp of America aks Armscorp USA produced investment-cast semi-auto M14 receivers. During the first year of production, Armscorp receivers were supplied by Smith Manufacturing of Holland, Ohio, which were heat treated and finish machined by Armscorp. From 1988 to 1994, Armscorp made its own investment cast receivers of AISI 8620 steel. A few receivers with an 'S' serial number prefix were made of stainless steel. From approximately 1994 until 2008, Armscorps receiver castings were supplied by the Lamothermic Corporation of Brewster, New York.

Federal Ordnance[link]

From 1984 to 1991, Federal Ordnance of South El Monte, California sold a semi-auto version of the M14 rifle.^[30] Initially named the M14 or M-14A, the rifle utilized an aftermarket semi-auto receiver fitted with new surplus USGI M-14 parts.^[30] All receivers were machined from castings of AISI 8620 alloy steel. Except for the first fifty receivers, the castings were supplied by Electro Crisol Metal, S.A. of Santander, Spain, then imported to the USA for finish machining, heat treatment, and exterior phosphate treatment.^[30] Federal Ordnance M14 and M14A receivers were heat treated and carburized according to USGI drawing F7790189.^[30] Each completed production rifle was proof fired, then tested for functioning by firing three rounds.^[30] USGI parts and bolts were used extensively in Federal Ordnance rifles through at least serial number 88XX.^[30] In 1989 Federal Ordnance renamed the rifle the M14SA and M14CSA. Rifles in the 93XX serial range and higher utilized modified receivers designed to accept Chinese-made bolts, barrels, and other parts owing to a shortage of original USGI components.^[30] Approximately 51,000 complete Federal Ordnance M-14 rifles and at least 60,000 receivers were manufactured before production was halted in late 1991.^[30]

La France Specialties M14K[link]

The M14K is a commercial version of the M14 designed and built by Timothy F. LaFrance of La France Specialties of San Diego, California, most using forged receivers produced by Smith Enterprise of Tempe, Arizona. This rifle has a custom-made short barrel with a custom-made flash suppressor, shortened operating rod, and employs a unique gas tube system. Fully automatic versions have a removable flash suppressor. Semi-automatic versions (of which very few were made) have a silver-brazed flash hider to comply with the requirement that Title I firearms have a 16" barrel. Most M14Ks employ the M60 gas tube system. Some late-model M14Ks employ a custom-designed and manufactured gas system. Both are intended to control the rate of fire in fully automatic mode. The rear sight is a custom-made National Match type aperture, and the front sight is a custom-made narrow blade, wing-protected sight to take advantage of the additional accuracy afforded by the special barrel.

The stocks and handguards on M14Ks are shortened versions of the GI birch or walnut stock, but make use of the original front ferrule. The front sling mount is relocated slightly to rear, to accommodate the shortened stock. Most handguards are of the solid, fiberglass variety (albeit shortened), but a limited number were made with shortened wood handguards. The steel buttplate was deleted in favor of a rubber recoil paid, that greatly reduces perceived recoil. A limited number of M14Ks were manufactured with the BM-59 Alpine / Para folding stock. These too had the shortened stocks and handguards, making for an extremely compact package especially suited to vehicular and airborne operations. A couple of M14Ks were built for SEAL Team members using the tubular folding stock assembly on a cut-down M14E2 stock found on some of the Team's full-size M14s prior to adoption of the Sage International EBR stock for M14 applications. These are by far one of the rarest variants of the M14K.

Springfield Armory[link]

Springfield Armory, Inc. of Geneseo, IL, produces a semi-automatic-only version of the M14 rifle. The standard rifle is known as the M1A. The company produces several variations of the basic rifle with different stocks, barrel weights, barrel lengths, and other optional features. The Springfield M1A and its model variants have been widely distributed in the U.S. civilian market.

Springfield Armory, Inc. also produce the SOCOM series and the Scout Squad Rifle, based on the short-barreled version of the M14. The SOCOM 16 comes with provisions to mount a red dot sight and the SOCOM II adds railed handguards to the package. Springfield Armory's M21 tactical is a civilian version of the M21 Sniper Weapon System currently in use by the U.S. military.^[31]

Rifle design[link]

A soldier demonstrates shooting an M14 rifle to Iraqi Highway Patrol (IHP) police officers during training in Iraq, 2006.

Receiver markings[link]

Stamped into receiver heel:

• U.S. Rifle
• 7.62-MM M14
• Springfield Armory (or commercial contractor name)
• Serial number

Stock[link]

The M14 rifle was first furnished with a walnut stock, then with birch and finally with a synthetic stock. Original equipment walnut and birch stocks carry the Department of Defense acceptance stamp or cartouche (an arc of three stars above a spread-winged eagle). These stocks also carried a proof stamp, a P within a circle, applied after successful test-firing.

Rifles manufactured through late 1960 were provided with walnut handguards. Thereafter synthetic, slotted (ventilated) hand guards were furnished but proved too fragile for military use. These were replaced by the solid synthetic part still in use, usually in dark brown, black or a camouflage pattern.

Rifling[link]

An International Security Assistance Force soldier scans for activity during a combat patrol in Afghanistan, 2009.

Standard M14 rifling has right-hand twist in 1:12 inches with 4 grooves.

Accessories[link]

Although M14 rifle production ended in 1964, the limited standard status of the weapon resulted in the continued manufacture of accessories and spare parts into the late 1960s and beyond.

• M6 bayonet with M8A1 sheath
• M2 Bandolier
• Sling [one-piece cotton or nylon webbing or M1907 (two-piece leather)]
• Cleaning kit (butt-trap) included a combination tool, ratchet chamber brush, plastic lubricant case, brass bore brush, four cleaning rod sections, cleaning rod case, and a cleaning rod patch-holding tip.
• M5 winter trigger and winter safety
• M12 blank firing attachment and M3 breech shield
• Cartridge clip (five cartridges) and magazine filler for charging magazines
• M1961 ammunition magazine pouch
• M2 bipod
• M79 grenade launcher
• M15 grenade launcher sight
• Mk 87 Mod 0/1 line (rope) throwing kit

Types of sights[link]

• Rear peep, front blade, metric
• Rear National Match peep with hood, front National Match blade, metric

Users[link]

A soldier with an M14 equipped with a Sage M14ALCS chassis stock.

•  Argentina: Used by Argentine soldiers of C Company, Regimento (Especial) de Infanteria 25 in the Falklands War at the Battle of Goose Green and San Carlos.^[16]
•  Australia: M14 SAGE EBR used in limited number by the Special Air Service Regiment/Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan.^[32][33][34]
•  Colombia^[35]
•  Costa Rica^[35]
•  Dominican Republic^[35]
•  Ecuador^[35]
•  El Salvador^[35]
•  Eritrea^[35]
•  Estonia: Adopted by Estonian military as marksman's rifle, modified by E-Arsenal called the Täpsuspüss M14-TP (Precision Rifle M14-PR), with heavy barrel, bipod, synthetic stock, and optical 4X sight.^[36][37]
•  Ethiopia^[35]
•  Greece: Hellenic Navy
•  Haiti: Used by Haitian security forces in the 2004 Haitian coup d'état.^[16]
•  Honduras^[35]
•  Israel: Used as sniper rifle with eventual conversion and production as M89SR.^[16][38]
•  Laos^{[citation needed]}
•  Lithuania: Lithuanian Armed Forces.^[39]
•  Niger^[35]
•  Philippines^[35]
•  South Korea: Unknown number provided by the United States under military assistance program.^[40] In limited use with reserve forces and for ceremonial duties.^[41]
•  Taiwan: Made under license as the Type 57.^[16]
•  Tunisia^[35]
•  United States: Uses the M14SE, manufactured by Smith Enterprises, in SDM roles^[42] and has purchased M14s from other manufacturers. Also uses M14s custom built or modified in military armories, such as the M14 DMR. The M14 is issued to crew members on Military Sealift Command vessels.^[43] The rifle is also used by the United States Border Patrol and by the Park Rangers of U.S. National Park Service.^[44]
•  Venezuela^[45]

See also[link]

• List of battle rifles
• M1A rifle

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Duff, Scott A., John M. Miller, and contributing editor David C. Clark. The M14 Owner's Guide and Match Conditioning Instructions. Export, Penn.: Scott A. Duff Publications, 1996. ISBN 1-888722-07-X.
• Murphy, Edward F. The Hill Fights: The First Battle of Khe Sanh. Novato, Calif.: Presidio Press, 2003. ISBN 0-89141-747-8.
• Pisor, Robert L. The End of the Line: The Siege of Khe Sanh. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2002. ISBN 0-393-32269-6.
• Rose, Alexander. American Rifle: A Biography. New York: Bantam Dell Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-0-553-80517-8.
• Stevens, R. Blake. U.S. Rifle M14: From John Garand to the M21. Toronto: Collector Grade Publications, Inc., 1995. ISBN 0-88935-110-4.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: M14

• The short film "Official U.S. Army training film for: U.S. Rifle, Caliber 7.62mm, M14 - Operation and Cycle of Functioning" is available for free download at the Internet Archive [more]
• Field Manual No. 23-8 U.S. Rifle, 7.62mm, M14 and M14E2 (1965)
• Guide to National Match Accurizing as Performed by U.S. Army Shooting Team Gunsmiths
• Modern Firearms Site
• The M14/M1A Magazine FAQ
• Different's M1A Site
• U.S. Rifle, cal. 7.62mm, M14
• 7.62 NATO Battle Rifles
• M14 Rifle Pictures
• Nazarian`s Gun`s Recognition Guide (FILM) M14 "Squad automatic weapon" (.wmv)

v t e Current equipment of the United States Air Force Aircraft Attack A/OA-10A/C Thunderbolt II AC-130H/U Spectre/Spooky II Bomber B-1B Lancer B-2A Spirit B-52H Stratofortress Electronic warfare E-3B/C Sentry E-4B E-8C Joint STARS E-9A EC-130J Commando Solo Multirole Fighter F-15C/D Eagle F-15E Strike Eagle F-16C/D Fighting Falcon F-22A Raptor F-35 Lightning II Reconnaissance OC-135B Open Skies RC-26B RC-135S/U/V/W RQ-4A Global Hawk RQ-11B Raven RQ-170 Sentinel Scan Eagle U-2R/S Dragon Lady Wasp III WC-130J Super Hercules WC-135C/W Constant Phoenix Search and rescue HC-130P/N HH-60G/MH-60G Pave Hawk Tanker KC-10A Extender KC-135E/R/T Stratotanker Trainer T-1A Jayhawk T-6A Texan II (A)T-38A/B/C Talon TG-10B/C/D TG-15A/B Transport C-5A/B/C/M Galaxy C-12C/D/F Huron C-17A Globemaster III C-20A/B/C Gulfstream III C-20G/H Gulfstream IV C-21A Learjet C-32A/B C-37A Gulfstream V C-37B Gulfstream V C-38 Courier C-40B Clipper C-41A Aviocar C-130E/H Hercules C-130J Super Hercules CV-22 Osprey VC-9C VC-25A Utility and multi-mission LC-130H MC-130 Combat Talon I,II/Combat Spear/Combat Shadow MQ-1B Predator MQ-9 Reaper U-28A UH-1H/N/V Huey UV-18A/B Twin Otter YAL-1 Space systems Launch vehicle Atlas V Delta II Delta IV Satellite Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) Defense Support Program (DSP) Global Positioning System (GPS) Milstar Satellite Communications System Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Wideband Global SATCOM C2 AN/USQ-163 Falconer Ground-based radar AN/FPQ-16 Perimeter Acquisition Attack Characterization System (PARCS) AN/FPS-123 Early Warning Radar (EWR) AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) AN/FPS-85 AN/FPS-133 Air Force Space Surveillance System (AFSSS) AN/FSQ-114 Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) AN/FSQ-224 Morón Optical Space Surveillance (MOSS) Rapid Attack, Identification, Detection, and Reporting System (RAIDRS) Munitions Bomb CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition CBU-89 Gator CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon GBU-10 Paveway II GBU-12 Paveway II GBU-15 GBU-24 Paveway III GBU-27 Paveway III GBU-28 GBU-31 JDAM GBU-32 JDAM GBU-38 JDAM GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb GBU-54 Laser JDAM Mk-82 Mk-84 Missile AGM-65A/B/D/E/G/G2/H/K Maverick AGM-86B/C/D Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) AGM-88A/B/C High-speed Anti-radiation Missile (HARM) AGM-130 Powered Standoff Weapon AGM-154A Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile (JASSM) AIM-7M Sparrow AIM-9M/X Sidewinder AIM-120B/C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) LGM-30G Minuteman III Target BQM-34 Firebee BQM-167 Subscale Aerial Target MQM-107 Streaker QF-4 Aerial Target Small arms GAU-5A/GUU-5P Carbine Glock 19 pistol M4 carbine M9 Pistol M14 Stand-off Munitions Disruptor (SMUD) M16A2 Rifle M18A1 Claymore Mine M24 Sniper Weapon System M60 machine gun M67 Fragmentation Grenade M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW) M79 grenade launcher M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle M136 AT4 Light Anti-tank Weapon M2HB Browning machine gun M240B Medium Machine Gun M249 light machine gun M1014 shotgun Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle MK-19 automatic grenade launcher MP5 submachine gun Remington 870 MCS shotgun

M14, M-14, or M.14 may refer to:

• M-14 (Michigan highway), a road connecting Ann Arbor and Detroit
• M14 (New York City bus)
• M14 mine, a United States anti-personnel landmine
• AN/M14 incendiary grenade, a United States incendiary grenade
• M14 rifle, a United States military rifle
• Chery M14, a sports car manufactured by Chery Automobile
• Macchi M.14, an Italian fighter aircraft of 1918
• March 14 Alliance, an Anti-Syrian Lebanese Coalition named after the date of their March 14, 2006 movement
• Messier 14, a globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus
• Miles M.14 Magister, a 1937 British two-seat monoplane basic trainer aircraft
• Noble M14, a British prototype sports car
• a branch of the Iraqi Intelligence Service known as Directorate 14
• a size of ISO metric screw thread
• Vedeneyev M14P, a Russian aircraft engine

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title formed as a letter-number combination. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.