Springfield M14

The M-14, for all intents and purposes, was basically a modernized version of the highly successful infantry rifle of the Second World War known universally as the M1 Garand. The M-14, however, featured refinements throughout and utilized a removable 20-shot magazine in place of the 7-shot cartridge found on the Garand. The M-14, known officially as the Rifle M14, was capable of both full and semi-automatic modes of fire though often fired in the semi-automatic mode as the weapon was deemed to light to fire in the traditional full automatic mode. Having this dual mode capability, the M-14 became just the second American-designed rifle to have this functionality behind the World War Two-era Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR).

Development of the M-14 system stemmed from the need for nations in the post-war world to adapt a common ammunition that could be used between allied nations. While most European powers leaned towards the Fabrique Nationale series of light rifles, the United States set to develop an indigenous breed of rifle capable of firing the universally accepted 7.62x51mm NATO round. The result was the fixed-stock M-14 rifle.

The system saw extensive use by American forces in the Vietnam War, when over 1 million units were produced through 1963. Though often seen with the fixed wooden stock, the M-14 also comes in a folding stock variant and a specialized sniper alternative known as the M-21. Taiwan produced its own version of the M-14 as the “Model 57” in the late 1960's through the 1980's, having purchased the production equipment from the United States. Nevertheless, the system remains a favorite sporting gun to shooters and collectors alike.

History text ©2003-2009 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Without Permission • Corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com

Last Updated: 7/15/2009