An M-14 is not a semi-automatic weapon. Is has full auto capacity. If it was in fact a “battle rifle” the article is inaccurate on that point. However, it was not referred to as a assault rifle which a M-14 is.
Except for the select fire part their description is accurate.
When I was in Nam, the Navy M-14 issue was without the selector. Only designated individuals were authorized the SAW - squad automatic weapon (auto selector switch/rod) in the M14E2 configuration. In ‘65 the preferred SAW weapon was the M-60 because the M-14 was susceptible to jamming when it over heated.