Interesting Article about the M14

Tomochan

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
343   0   0
Location
The Cariboo, BC
I've been a fan of the M14 then, after spending a fortune got out of them and swore that was me done. Of course I had to get back in and did so with a LRB Medium Match ( another fortune spent ). So, it was with great interest that I read this article:

http://looserounds.com/2015/01/30/the-m14-not-much-for-fighting-a-case-against-the-m14-legend/

Sure to generate some discussion.
 
I've been a fan of the M14 then, after spending a fortune got out of them and swore that was me done. Of course I had to get back in and did so with a LRB Medium Match ( another fortune spent ). So, it was with great interest that I read this article:

http://looserounds.com/2015/01/30/the-m14-not-much-for-fighting-a-case-against-the-m14-legend/

Sure to generate some discussion.

It's an 'old' article, and I'm fairly certain its been posted here before.

The AR-15 platform is superior in every way. Don't get me wrong, I love my M-14s/M-305/M1a/m-whateverthepedantscallit, but admittedly the ONLY reason I own it is because it is non-restricted and the AR-15 is restricted. If that wasn't the case I would likely sell my M-14 for AR parts.

The day I can toss an AR in my trunk and head out to the bush to do some shooting is the day I sell a lot of my other rifles.
 
A BS hit piece is what that blog is. Nothing more.
Shawn is highlighting problems from the late 50's and relating them to the modern EBR, it's BS.
 
Those problems i did not experienced with both my NM M1A, those 2 rifles are a joy to shoot, one scoped and one with the metallic sights, i am always excited when i bring one of them to the field or the range... JP.
 
Sure, not much for hauling around jungles for weeks on end. Not much for being massed-produced on the cheap, not much for sustained desert combat and..

How many of us are ever going to do that?

All the talk about how ill suited the m-14 is, amounts to the same level of talk about how great the m-4 is.

"The m4 is so light" Again, who cares? I'm not heading off to the jungle anytime soon.

"You can carry 3x the ammo" Again, who cares? Where exactly do you plan to lay down suppressing fire today?


Most gun nuts are individuals, and not part of a 'fire team.' Because of this, most of the "pro/con" debates regarding the m14/m4 are irrelevant. My needs are not the same as their needs, so their reasons don't apply.



took the metal butt plate assembly off yesterday, now it feels like the rifle is 6 lbs lighter! I think my first aluminum casting project is going to be a replica of this plate. I've looked at the rubber ones, but they just won't do.

Only real negative I've found, is how, if you operate the charging handle "up and away" you can disconnect the op rod from the bolt. That's happened to me twice so far. Sure, it's an easy fix, but in the middle of some fast shooting, that's a bad thing to have happen just for want of motor skills.
 
Last edited:
I'm sure if you asked soldiers who carried the modern M14 EBR's in the last 10 years if they felt ill-equipped or under-gunned and I'm sure the answer would be NO! I have read personal accounts from active duty soldiers who tell people how much of a beating they take on a daily basis but they do well and constantly perform.

Tony.
 
The M14 is a good old fashion battle rifle. Compare to a more modern rifle (AR10) it's going to be heavier, and less accurate, but it's still fit for military service. I think the US army using them as their DMR instead of procuring brand new weapons was a really cost effective way to implement a DMR. And as mentioned above, they perform very well in the field.
 
The M14 is a good old fashion battle rifle. Compare to a more modern rifle (AR10) it's going to be heavier, and less accurate, but it's still fit for military service. I think the US army using them as their DMR instead of procuring brand new weapons was a really cost effective way to implement a DMR. And as mentioned above, they perform very well in the field.

Excuse my ignorance but what is DMR?
 
Compare to a more modern rifle (AR10) it's going to be heavier, and less accurate, but it's still fit for military service.

The AR10 and the M14EBR-RI are going to weigh about the same, and the vast majority of the EBRs are sub-MOA accurate.
 
I like both platform. M14 is easier to strip and clean and has a gas piston system. AR15 is lighter and has better ergonomics.

Comparing the M14 patter rifle to an AR15 makes no sense to me.
It's like comparing apples & radishes.
 
I like my AR's and I like my M14. I'm not going to war with either so I could care less about which is "better". Both are good in their own way.

That being said there is just something innately satisfying about shooting the M14 which, while still fun, I don't get from shooting my AR's.
 
I know that the M16 was the replacement for the M14 but if we were to compare apples to apples, shouldn't it be a comparison of M16 to Mini 14 and AR10 to M14?? These two squared off to each other seems like a more logical
 
I think the article covers the issue very well. The M14 rifle was a great battle rifle for it's time.

The M14 could also perform very decently as a DMR, with considerable work required to bring it up to par.

The M14 rifle is a just so-so sniper rifle (800 yards and counting upwards) that could disappoint the sniper carrying it, at the worst possible moment.
 
Back
Top Bottom