Even before the end of World War II, the U.S. Army was looking for a replacement for its .30-'06 Garand. With the need for full automatic arms during the war, field modifications were made to the M1 in an attempt to enable it to fill the role of a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). These modifications included converting the M1 to selective fire and borrowing a 20-shot magazine from the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), along with a bipod and muzzle brake. Initially made by troops in the Pacific Theatre, these field modifications were the cornerstone of the development of the rifle that would replace the Garand, the M14.

From 1945 until 1957 nearly two dozen Springfield and Remington experimental rifles were tested by the military, all of them based on a Garand-type action. Several other systems were also tested, including the FN-FAL, and all of these rifles were chambered for a new .30 caliber cartridge using the then new T65E3 cartridge case. The new round, dubbed the T65, would become the 7.62x51mm NATO, known commercially as the .308 Win.

Derived from the Garand, the rifle selected for final development was the known as the T44 rifle. It was designed by Lloyd Corbett, of the original Springfield Armory in Springfield, Mass. It used a new gas cut-off expansion piston system, which was thought to be gentler to the opening of the bolt. It also had a valve to shut off the gas when launching rifle grenades, plus a flash hider.

Through a series of improved versions using surplus T-20 Garand receivers, the T44 quickly evolved toward becoming the M14 rifle. Among the improvements made to the T44 was a scope base integral with the left side of the receiver. The final version was the T44E4, which was adopted in May 1957 as the U.S. Rifle, 7.62mm M14. A heavy barrel T44E5 was also adopted as the M15 to replace the formidable BAR, but this model was soon canceled with the false belief that the lighter M14 could be fitted to fill that need.

In addition to having a shorter receiver than the M1 rifle, the M14 used a short-stroke gas piston instead of the M1's long-stroke system, and the gas block was moved closer to the receiver. Unlike the M1's 8-round en bloc clip, the M14 used a 20-round box magazine designed by John C. Garand.

Garand also influenced the M14 in many other respects, including the bolt roller. While the M14 is capable of selective fire, it is virtually uncontrollable in this mode, and the vast majority of M14s were issued with a semi-permanent selector lock in place of a selector, limiting the M14 to semi-automatic only fire. Other than these differences, the M14 operates almost exactly like the M1 and is disassembled in much the same way.

M14 Production
Production of the M14 rifle began in April, 1958 at the Springfield Armory. Winchester received a contract in February, 1959 while Harrington & Richardson was awarded one a month later. Finally, on October 2, 1961, a contract to produce the M14 was awarded to Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge, at its newly organized Ordnance Works at TRW's Thompson Aircraft Parts Company (TAPCO) plant in Euclid, Ohio. TRW enjoyed three M14 contracts, and was the only commercial company given a contract to manufacture the M14 National Match (M14NM) rifle.

In addition to the standard M14 rifle, a number of variations were developed, one of the most notable being the M14E2, a squad automatic later adopted as the M14A1 with a heavy pistol grip stock. Another was the M21, a sniper version based on the highly accurate National Match M14 (M14NM). The M21 later evolved into the XM25, an ongoing sniper rifle program conducted by both the Army and Marine Corps, each with its own methods of achieving top accuracy. Because of the evolutionary nature of the XM 25 program, few of these rifles are identical. An interesting aside to the XM25 program is that, upon learning of it, the Clinton Administration reportedly ordered that the program be ended and that all such XM25 rifles be returned to their original configuration. However, this was impossible, as most of these rifles had been restocked with McMillan fiberglass stocks and the original walnut stocks had been discarded. U.S. Navy SEALS and other special units retained the XM25s they had in inventory and these rifles were probably fielded immediately after 9/11.

Originating at Quantico, the Marines Corps' Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) program consisted of retrofitting M14 rifles to match condition and equipping them with optics. A portion of these rifles was reportedly destined for security at nuclear facilities around the country, but many were also fielded in 2001. One elusive version of the M14 that was rumored to have gone into production was the Modified Service M14, or M14M, a semi-automatic only version of the M14NM made especially for DCM competition. Springfield Armory reportedly made several thousand M14M rifles, but they were never released, and their status remains unknown.

Accuracy Question
Being 51mm in length, the .308 case is almost a half-inch shorter than the 63mm case of its .30-'06 parent. Since it holds less propellant, the .308 is about 100 to 200 fps slower than the .30-'06 and thus has slightly less recoil using the same 150 gr. bullet. For all practical purposes, both offer the same performance.

The .308 is theoretically more accurate because of its shorter powder train and less air space inside the case. Military comparison testing has proven that the .308 has an edge in accuracy at 1,000 yards. However, having fired National Match M1 and M14 rifles for more than 35 years, I have not seen any appreciable difference in accuracy. Both rifles and calibers are capable of 1 MOA or better accuracy with high-grade ammunition.

During Vietnam, TRW produced one M14 in .223 in the hope that the Army would show interest, and H&R developed its "Guerilla Gun," a short barreled version of the M14 with a conical muzzle brake. The "Guerilla Gun" was designed to fill the same roll as the T26 "Tanker" Garand, but neither went into production. However, Springfield Armory's new SOCOM 16 model bears an interesting resemblance to the "Guerrilla Gun."

With the M14 having establishing an impressive combat record during its short life in Vietnam, and its immense popularity in competitive shooting, it remained in great demand by the civilian sector. L&H Gun Company, of Texas, began producing a semi-automatic version of the M14 called the M1A, an offshoot of the Garand's M1 designation. Then, in the wake of the closing of the original Springfield Armory, Bob Reese purchased the rights to the name Springfield Armory and acquired the rights to the M1A from L&H. Soon Reese was producing the M1A under the Springfield name. The M1A has a disassembly procedure with some elements in common with the M14 and uses all M14 parts with the exception of the selective fire components. The receiver is an extremely strong investment casting made for Springfield by the Lithgow Armory of Australia.

Semi-automatic only versions of the M14 are also currently offered by ArmsCorp, the Fulton Armory, LRP Industries and Springfield Armory. Norinco and Federal Ordnance also made semi-automatic only versions of the M14, but these versions are no longer available. Other makes may vary somewhat, however, this does not affect function. The LRP M14SA and M25 receivers are true forgings, built to print and may be the closest thing to the original. The LRP receiver is also available with an integral Picatinny rail. Rumor has it that the military is looking at the LRP receiver for future use as the basis for M14-based sniper rifles.

Upgrading The M14
When America plunged into Iraq and Afghanistan, the nagging shortcoming of the .223 cartridge, a round hunters consider too light for deer, raised its ugly head. As bad or even worse than its Vietnam era M193 counterpart, the M855 (SS109) bullet quickly proved itself less than adequate in putting down terrorists. This came in sharp contrast to the terminal ballistic performance of the .308, a proven man-stopper in combat. The result was that special units hurriedly began taking "obsolete" M14 rifles out of mothballs and pressing them into service. Because of the shortage of M14 rifles, some special units even used their own funds to purchase M1As.

Soon, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) issued a solicitation for private contractors to submit samples of a modified M14 rifle that could serve as an infantry rifle, replacing the M4. The submission from Sage International won the contract with its unique Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) stock, which is now type-classified as the MK14 Mod 0. This stock is being used with rebuilt M14 sniper rifles, as well as rebarreled 16" M1As by Springfield Armory. Springfield's new 16" barrel uses an entirely new front sight base and muzzle brake combination. The commercial version is called the SOCOM 16. The MK14 Mod 0 can also be used with Springfield's 18" "Squad" barrel and with full-length match grade barrels in a sniper configuration.

Machined from lightweight aircraft alloy, the MK14 Mod 0 stock is designed to provide top accuracy and is also equipped with Picatinny rails on both sides and the bottom, as well as a full length rail on top of the alloy handguard. This handguard bolts rigidly to its metal stock, making the unit essentially one-piece construction. A shorter sister rail replaces the charger guide at the rear of the breech.

Any of the EBR stock's rails will rigidly support any optical device, lights or lasers. The EBR also comes with several sling mount options. Being totally adjustable, the buttstock slides fore and aft on two side rails and also has a cheek piece adjustable for height. The Tango Down pistol grip comes with the EBR stock, but it can accept any of the aftermarket AR pistol grips such Magpul or Ergo grips. Sage also makes a version of the stock with an M16-style "telescoping" retractable butt called the EBR CQ stock. This stock can use any standard MilSpec M4 buttstock or any of the aftermarket versions such as the Vltor ModStock or any of the Magpul buttstocks.

Like the Mk14 Mod 0, the EBR CQ replaces the operating rod guide with a special guide that bolts rigidly into the alloy forend, and it also replaces the handguard cap with a spacer. Thus, the stocks rigidly hold the M14 by the action and at the special barrel band/operating rod guide. A test sample EBR CQ stock fit my rifle like a National Match M14 stock. Sage's EBR stocks are not sensitive to weather or moisture, and being made entirely of aircraft quality alloy, they are not sensitive to heat. With their robust construction, the Sage stocks are virtually indestructible.

Vltor M1S Stock
Another extremely innovative M14 stock is the M1S Series from Vltor Weapon Systems. Consisting of the basic M14 fiberglass stock group in black, (M1S-1), flat dark earth (M1S-1T) or OD green (M1S-1G) this system can be had for either a Springfield SOCOM 16 or other M1A, or for a selective fire M14 for military use. Designed as a two-part system, the M1S comes with an upper component that replaces the handguard with a three-rail mounting platform.

Made of heat treated sheet metal, a bottom component contains a third aircraft quality Picatinny rail, and this rigidly attaches to the upper portion in seconds and surrounds the forend to provide a complete four-rail mounting platform. Called the CAS-14 rail system, this element was adopted by Springfield Armory for its SOCOM 16 carbine and it can be also be used with any conventional M14 or M1A stock after removing the standard forward sling mount from the stock and the charger guide from the receiver.

The M1S/CAS-14 consists of a highly specialized aircraft alloy handguard. The CAS-14 component has an integral full-length Picatinny rail. This handguard locates at five points. First, the inside of the handguard houses a rigid yoke, which cradles the operating rod guide. This supports the forward section of the barrel from above. Next, the issue ferrule supports the front of the stock as usual, but from here it gets interesting. The rear of the handguard has no less than three supports. The first consists of the two grooves on the rear of the barrel into which the standard handguard retainer supports the handguard. In the case of the CAS-14, a set of jaws lock into these grooves via a hex head bolt, which is the same size as the head of the M14 gas plug. Tightening this bolt with no more than 35 inch/pounds of torque firmly locks the rear of the handguard to the rear of the barrel.

A robust steel section of the handguard extends rearward along the left side of the receiver. This extension has a vertical spline that mates with the vertical groove in the standard M14 scope base on the left side of the receiver. Below this spline is a hole that lines up with the standard M14 scope threaded mounting hole in the left side of the receiver. Another hardened bolt is furnished and is inserted through the hole in the extension and screwed into the receiver. Two additional threaded holes in the extension can accommodate a number of other accessories.

Finally, the rear end of the full-length top rail is secured to a mount that replaces the charger guide. Once secured in the charger guide dovetail, this mount lines up with the rear end of the top rail. Two threaded holes in the rear of the rail accept hardened Allen head bolts, one with four notches. When the first bolt is tightened with one of its notches lined up with for the head of the locking bolt, that bolt is tightened down into the notch. This two-screw system is essentially identical to that used on many World War II German rifles and other European sporting rifle.

With the conventional stock cut off at the wrist, a special buttstock mount is furnished with the unit. This mount has a vertical channel into which slides a keyway assembly as part of the front of a tube made in the configuration of an M4 recoil spring tube. The keyway is tightened using a cross-bolt to anchor the buttstock. When loosened, the cross-bolt allows the buttstock to move up and down in the channel to help adjust the shooter's cheek weld.

Furnished with an array of sling mounts, the Vltor M1S system can easily handle any carry sling available including three-point and single-point slings from a number of manufacturers. However, some very knowledgeable veterans still prefer a more conventional two-point sling for general-purpose carry, and the best I've seen is the Vickers Combat Application Sling from Blue Force Gear. Combining traditional simplicity with several modern features, this is a two-point sling that operates like a three-point sling, and it could prove to be the two-point sling others are measured against. The Vickers sling can be had in black, flat dark earth, coyote brown, OD green, foliage green, gray and white.

The buttstock tube not only accepts the Vltor six-position ModStock furnished with the stock, but also accommodates all standard size aftermarket buttstocks. An added touch is that this tube has a water tight rear end cap enabling the tube to be used to store small parts, lubricant, cleaning tools or spare SureFire batteries. A Tango Down Battle Grip is standard equipment with the M1S, but it will accept any AR-15 pistol grip.

One accessory that seems to work well in any M14 or M1A is a buffer from Buffer Technology. Made of super tough polymer, this triangular piece has a hole in the center through which the recoil spring and guide pass. The buffer then seats against the front of the receiver beneath the barrel and prevents the rear of operating rod from slamming into the receiver when the mechanism is in full recoil. Because the buffer dampens the steel-to-steel contact, there is less felt recoil, especially in the shorter barreled rifles.

Among other good accessories are the cushioning magazine protectors from Magpul.

Being the offspring of the Garand, the M14 encompasses virtually all of that rifle's good points. One point I consider not so good, however, is the M14's steel butt plate with its folding toe, which is a holdover from the misguided notion to use the M14 in a squad automatic role. With the popularity of the M14 and M1A, I am puzzled that no one markets a good rubber replacement for the issue butt plate to reduce weight and provide a non-slip surface.

Another point that could use some attention is the trigger. It's a simple job to improve the trigger let-off on these rifles, but it should be done by a competent gunsmith, or someone knowledgeable in the procedure. Springfield Armory has developed an excellent trigger system for the M1A, which is available as an accessory.

For more information on the workings, repair and upgrading of the M14 and M1A rifles, The M14 Owner's Guide and The M14 Complete Assembly Guide from Scott A. Duff Publications are must-own books. With current upgrades we can expect to see the M14 remain viable well into this new millennium.

Chart:
M14 Rifle Production
Springfield Armory 167,100
Harrington & Richardson 537,582
Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge 319,163
Winchester 356,501
Total 1,380,346

M14 National Match Rifle Production
Springfield Armory 7,200
Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge 4,874

Sources:

ACE, Ltd.
www.riflestocks.com

Aimpoint
(877) 246-7646
www.aimpoint.com

Blue Force Gear, Inc.
(877) 430-2483
www.blueforcegear.com

Buffer Technology, Inc.
(877) 628-3337
www.buffertech.com

Eotech (734) 741-8868
www.eotech-inc.com

Falcon Ind.
(877) 281-3783
www.ergogrip.com

Fulton Armory
(301) 490-9485
www.fulton-armory.com

LRB Ind., LLC
(516) 327-9061
www.lrbarms.com

Lauer Custom Weaponry
(715) 723-6861
www.lauerweaponry.com

Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
(503) 646-9171
www.leupold.com

Lewis Machine & Tool Co.
(309) 787-7151
www.lewismachine.net

Magpul Ind.
(877) 4MAGPUL
www.magpul.com

McMillan Fiberglass Stocks, Inc.
(623) 582-9635
www.mcmfamily.com

Mounting Solutions Plus
(800) 428-9394
www.mountsplus.com

Sage International
(989) 739-7000
www.sageinternationalltd.com

Scott A. Duff, Publications
(724) 327-8246
www.scott-duff.com

Springfield Armory, Inc.
(800) 680-6866
www.springfieldarmory.com

SureFire, LLC
(800) 828-8809
www.surefire.com

Trijicon, Inc.
(800) 338-0563
www.trijicon.com

Vltor Weapon Systems
(866) 468-5867
www.vltor.com