I just bought an M1A, so I'm suddenly fascinated with the M14 and how it is used in today's military. The SEALs are well known for using it; a recent Discovery channel program showed SEALs using M14s with fiberglass stocks in various training scenarios, as well as a weapons instructor giving his classroom introduction to the weapon. The instructor said that the SEALs use the M14 as a sniper weapon like some of the other services, but are unique in using it as an individual battle rifle. A photo in U.S. News and World report taken during the Gulf War showed some specwar types, probably SEALs, in a dune buggy with an M14 stowed on board. Makes perfect sense for that application, particularly in the desert where shots might be long.
In Blackhawk Down (great book), a Delta operator ruefully acknowledges the wisdom of one his buddies who prefers the M14 over the M16, which with the heavy bullet Nato loads seemed to be drilling holes in Somalis but not stopping them. Delta sniper Randy Shugart, awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously, is said to have carried an M14.
I saw a photo of an 82nd Airborne sniper with a scoped M14 in Panama. Do any of the sniping services still use it?
Other than in color guards, how else is this weapon used today? Lets hear from anyone who has seen it issued and used since Vietnam.
In Blackhawk Down (great book), a Delta operator ruefully acknowledges the wisdom of one his buddies who prefers the M14 over the M16, which with the heavy bullet Nato loads seemed to be drilling holes in Somalis but not stopping them. Delta sniper Randy Shugart, awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously, is said to have carried an M14.
I saw a photo of an 82nd Airborne sniper with a scoped M14 in Panama. Do any of the sniping services still use it?
Other than in color guards, how else is this weapon used today? Lets hear from anyone who has seen it issued and used since Vietnam.