Until the middle of the 20th century, the US military used the M1 Garand self-loading rifle. Despite all its advantages, the fighting of the Second World War showed that this model needs to be modernized. The US military needed a similar but more modern weapon. At the end of the 50s, the M14 rifle was developed, which for ten years was in service with many armies of the world.
In the United States of America, this rifle was considered the main weapon until the appearance of the M16.
Beginning of creation
The M1 Garand in service with the US Army had disadvantages:
- The rifle was loaded in batches of eight rounds, with no way to reload a half-empty magazine.
- After the ammunition was used up, the pack was thrown out of the weapon, making a sharp sound. Often this was a warning to the enemy that the M1 had run out of ammunition.
- Reduced accuracy when shooting. The reason for this shortcoming was considered to be the presence of a long and gas engine with moving parts.
Designing a new rifle, American gunsmiths took into accountall the disadvantages of the M1 Garand:
- The M14 rifle contains a modified gas engine system: it replaces the long piston stroke with a short one (37 mm).
- A cartridge was developed that retains the ballistic characteristics inherent in caliber 7, 62x63 mm. The new cartridge of caliber 7, 62x51 was adopted by the US Army in 1952, and since 1954 it has been considered a standard NATO cartridge.
As a result of design work, the created American M14 automatic rifle at that time was a fairly light weapon, with high accuracy and lethality.
Production
In 1961, 144 million dollars were allocated from the treasury of the United States of America for the manufacture of 1.4 million units of new weapons. Serial production of this model was taken up by Springfield Armory. By the end of 1961, as a result of unforeseen delays, only one division was armed with the new rifle. In 1962, the process of introducing the M14 into the US army was completed. For each US taxpayer, one unit of these weapons cost $102.
Assault rifle use in Vietnam
The baptism of fire of the American M14 rifle took place during the Vietnam War. The experience of conducting military operations of the American military showed that the M14 rifle is of little use for its use in the jungle. First of all, the inconvenience was caused by the too long weapon. The second drawback was the large weight of the cartridges used. As the participants in the hostilities recall, it was inconvenient to use the M14 in the jungle: to firethe leaves were very disturbing in bursts. Therefore, the US Army leadership decided to issue rifles to soldiers without a fire mode translator. If necessary, it could be installed back on the M14. The wooden stock in a humid climate swelled, which adversely affected the accuracy of shooting. Over time, wood was replaced with fiberglass in the production of these rifles.
Tactical and technical characteristics
- The weight of the weapon is 5.1 kg.
- The length of the M14 rifle is 112 cm.
- The barrel length is 559 mm.
- Rate of fire - 750 rounds/1 min.
- Caliber -7, 62mm.
- Muzzle velocity is 850 m/sec.
- Sighting range 500 m.
Design of gas automation
The M14 rifle is a model powered by an automatic gas engine. Powder gases are removed from the bore through a special tube, which is located under the barrel. The gas piston, unlike the analogue M1 Garand, has a short stroke. The piston is presented in the form of a glass, in which a special hole for powder gases is provided. Automatic gas shut-off is performed after the piston moves back. Cutting off excess gases softens the work of automatic rifles. The piston does not contain a return spring. It interacts with the underbarrel bolt carrier, which is connected to the rotary bolt with the help of a long lever. The M14 rifle (photo below) is equipped with two lugs, which, entering the grooves onreceiver, lock the receiver channel. The design of the shutter in the M14 is similar to the design in the M1 Garand, in which the locking is also carried out by two lugs. The difference is that the M14 rifle contains a roller instead of a lug for the bolt. This reduces wear and tear on her system.
Exterior design
For aiming in the design of the M14 rifle, an adjustable diopter rear sight is used. It is installed in the muzzle (muzzle of the barrel) and in the rear of the receiver. The stock has a semi-pistol grip and a metal top attachment on the barrel for attaching a flame arrester and a bayonet. The bed is made of wood.
Trigger
As in the M1 Garand, in the M14 trigger-type rifle. The differences are that in the new modification there is a mechanism that allows firing in bursts. In addition, the M14 is equipped with a special fire mode translator. It is located on the right side of the receiver above the trigger. You can stop the shutter in the open position after using up all the ammunition from the magazine using the shutter delay. It is located on the receiver on the left.
Ammo supply
The M14 rifle is equipped with detachable box magazines, in which cartridges are arranged in two rows. These shops can be equipped without disconnecting them from the rifle. For this purpose, weapon designers provide standard clips designed for five rounds. Such devices are connected to the weapon using special guides.devices that are located on top of the receiver.
Modifications
M14 is a rifle from which various improved models have been created:
- M14A1. This modification appeared in 1963. Following the requests of the military, who want to use the familiar M14 rifle as a light machine gun, weapons designers assembled the M14A1 model. The new modification is a product in which a pistol grip is added. In addition to it, the M14A1 rifle has a bipod, a folding front handle and a removable muzzle brake-compensator.
- In 1963, another rifle was designed - M14M. This weapon is commercial. The design of the system allows only single shots.
- M1A. The manufacturer of this weapon is Springfield Armory. The stock, stock and handguard of this rifle are made of wood.
- M21 1960 release. This is an M14 sniper rifle.
- M25 (Sniper Weapon System) 1990. This is another sniper model based on the M 14. Used by the M 25 special forces of the United States of America.
- In 2004, the M1A Socom 16 weapon appeared. In this model, the barrel was shortened to 16 inches and the gas exhaust system was changed.
- In 2005, the M1A Socom II rifle was designed. This weapon is a modified version of the M1A Socom 16 weapon (the aiming bar has been changed).
- M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle. The weapon was designed in 2008. Used by USMC.
Based onAmerican M14 weapons designers of other countries created their own models. China produced the Norinco M14S, which is a self-loading M14. In Estonia, on the basis of an American assault rifle, the Tapsuspuss M14-TP sniper model appeared. It has found its way into the Estonian Armed Forces.
Counter Strike 1.6
Today, the attention of experienced gamers, shooter lovers, and ordinary users of various ages is given a large series of different games. One of the most popular computer games in e-sports is Counter Strike ("K. S."). Conducted consumer tests have shown that Counter Strike 1.6 is in special demand due to improved technologies (high-quality texture, very realistic stereo sounds and obscene expressions). Among the large selection of sniper weapons, the player is provided with a WUA model in the KS 1.6 series. A similar modification has been created for the M14 rifle in Counter Strike - the M4A1 model. This rifle surpasses the legendary AK-47 in its tactical and technical characteristics. M4A1 is equipped with a device for silent shooting. Compared to the AK-47, the M14 analogue is characterized by less bullet dispersion. This increases the chances of hitting even the enemy's head.
Airsoft variant
For those who want to buy a weapon for fun, ASGSocom's M14 Airsoft Rifle is the perfect choice. This rifle is a tactical version of the American automatic M14, famous since the Vietnam War. The airsoft model is equipped with a short barrel andweaver rails, necessary for fastening various accessories: tactical flashlight, optical or red dot sights.
Characteristics of the Socom M14 model
- The rifle is equipped with a hopper-type mechanical magazine.
- Magazine capacity - 40 balls.
- The length of the weapon is 1127 mm.
- Rifle weight - 3090g
- The speed of the ball reaches 115 m/sec.
- This model features an adjustable Hop-Up system.
Blow variant of the American assault rifle
The M160-A2 pneumatic weapon was created on the basis of the M14. In the production of the model, metal and hard plastic are used. The characteristics of this weapon ensured its great demand among consumers:
- The rifle has 6mm bullets.
- The model is equipped with the Hop-Up system.
- The rate of fire of the M160-A2 is 85 m/sec.
- The weapon has an effective range not exceeding 50 m.
- Comfortable aiming is ensured by the adjustable rear sight.
- In the design, the developers provide a special lever - a fuse that protects the owner from an unexpected shot. The lever is located on the trigger guard. The owner just needs to press it.
- The weapon is sold in a box, the dimensions of which are 105x23x8 cm.
- By purchasing this air rifle, the buyer also becomes the owner of a plastic strap, a red dot sight, a flashlight, goggles, a Phillips screwdriver, a belt and variousattachments to it. The wind weapon comes with a loader and a package of bullets, which has at least 90 pieces.
Air rifle M14 (M-160 A2) is available for purchase by persons over 16 years of age.
Application
The M14 automatic rifle is today a ceremonial weapon used at ceremonial occasions by the Marine Corps, National Guard and units of the US Navy. The M14, which has been in service with the US Army for over half a century, is considered the least used small arms standard weapon.
From 1970 to 1980, the United States, providing gratuitous assistance, supplied these rifles to Turkey, the Philippines, Taiwan and South Korea. In 2003, the government of the United States of America decided to sell 300 thousand units of this model from military warehouses.
The M14 rifle (photo below) is equipped with powerful ammunition and is characterized by a high rate of accuracy when firing single shots. This gave grounds for designers to create high-quality sniper weapons based on the M14. Today, special units of the United States and a dozen other states use the M14 sniper rifle.
The M14 assault rifle is almost never used in the United States of America. The US Army units use the M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle, created on the basis of the M14, which has managed to prove its effectiveness in Haiti, Israel,Argentina, Korea and China.
