[Past Your Eyes]

" Lots of 1960s era 7.62mm M14 rifles have also been taken out of storage and distributed. "

HALLELUJAH!!!

"I prefer the M14."

As do I. Love that rifle.

[river rat]

As reliable a killer as the M14 was -- there were problems.

It was too long for close quarters and heavy undergrowth.
It was too heavy.
The 7.62 ammo to feed the piece, was also too bulky and heavy.
Ten 20 round magazines were a load -- and you still had to carry at least one belt for the M60.... LOTS of weight.

The redeaming value, was that you could reach way out and put the deadly touch on Charlie - and one round properly placed was sufficient....out to better than 600 yards.
At that range, Charlie's AK47 was a spray and pray piece.

Semper Fi

[jpsb]

The M-14 is probably the finest infantry rifle ever.Why the USMC moved to the M-16 I will never understand.

[mcshot]

I had heard that Klinton gave most of them away to Albanians during his wonderful war and had many cut up. Glad we have a few left. My favorite is the BM59, the improved garand with a box magazine.

mc

[archy]

"I prefer the M14."

As do I. Love that rifle

I'm not real thrilled with the front sights loosening and coming off, nor of the bolt rollers cracking and falling off during rainy periods or from too-frequent full-auto fire.

As a specialist's tool, particularly for a squad's Designated Rifleman or for snipers who like a semi-auto, it's superb.

For the women who make up 10% of the Army's personnel nowadays and for many of the *minority hires* it's a bit too much. Think of truck driver/POW Pfc. Jessica Lynch with a clunky M14 in her truck cab instead on the M16A2 she was unable to effectively use.