M14

M14 rifle

The M14 is an American battle rifle that was used from the 1950s up to nearly the present day. It fires a full powered, 30-06 round, the same as the M1 Garand, but it also can be fed by detachable box magazines. It is capable of full or semi automatic fire.

The M14 has excellent accuracy and range, and the powerful round was capable of penetrating cover. However, it was fairly quickly superseded by the lightweight M-16 which fired an intermediate cartridge. Soldiers could carry more ammunition, and fire more accurately when using the full auto feature.

At the time it was adopted, the USA was considering the FN FAL. The M-14 producers were more politically connected, and the emotional decision was made to use the American gun. It was said at the time that much of the M-1 tooling would be used for the M14, but it didn't work out to be so much.

US Navy M14 rifle

During the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the M14 was pulled out of retirement. The long distances in the desert and mountains favored the big rifle, and it could also be used to punch through doors and walls in urban environments.