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S&T Motiv (Daewoo) K14

Military Sniper Rifle

A standardized sniper rifle system eluded the fighting forces of South Korea for some time before the S&T Motiv (Daewoo) K14 series was adopted in 2012 (this following unit combat exposure in the Afghan and Iraqi theaters of war). The product entered its design phase in 2011 and saw serial production occur the following year. The Western influence in the K14 is clear as the rifle takes on a conventional form and function while being chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge.

The K14 was designed to a specific Republic of Korean Armed Forces requirement for a manually-actuated bolt-action rifle system chambered for the ubiquitous NATO round. The result was the indigenously designed and developed (and now manufactured) XK14 prototype which passed its required evaluations. Formal service entry occurred during December of 2012 and the product stands as the standard-issue sniper rifle of the South Korean military (issued with Leupold Mk 4 or Schmidt & bender PM II series optics). As many as 1,000 are to be procured for the time being.

Its general arrangement is consistent with contemporary rifles operating in the same battlefield role. The stock is lightweight and offers a shoulder stock complete with adjustable monopod and cheekpiece. The pistol grip is ergonomically designed for a firm hold and a hollowed out section of the stock provides a large thumbhole area. The trigger ring is solid and thick with an opening suitable for a gloved hand. Optics are set over the receiver in the usual way using a two-point mount. Ahead of the receiver is the handguard which features a considerable amount of Picatinny rail sections for the mounting of additional accessories. The fluted heavy-class barrel extends out from this and is capped by a pronged flash suppressor. The barrel also supports a sound suppressor for clandestine operations. A folding bipod assembly is fitted at the extreme end of the handguard and sports its own adjustable features.

All told, the K14 exhibits an overall weight of 12 lb with an overall length of 45 inches and a barrel measuring 24 inches long. Effective range is out to 800 meters and feeding is by way of a 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine.

Specifications

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