They tried to replace it during VN with the M-14E2 with its pistol grip stock, selector, front hand grip & compensator.
Didn’t work out, but an M-14A semi-auto with that stock is absolutely awesome! Amazing with a NM scope mount.
My first encounter with it was in Viet Nam with the ARVNS, the smallest man in the squad would carry it. I carried a full auto M-14.