American automatic rifle M14 - modern weapons

Until mid-twentieth century, the US military used a self-loading rifle M1 Garand. Despite all its merits, the fighting of World War II showed that this model needs to be modernized. The US Armed Forces needed similar, but more modern weapons. In the late 1950s, the M14 rifle was developed, which for many years was used by many armies in the world.

In the United States of America, this rifle was considered the main weapon until the appearance of the M16.

Start of creation

Armed with the US Army M1 Garand had shortcomings:

• The rifle was loaded with packs of eight cartridges, without the possibility of charging a half-empty store.
• After consuming ammunition, the pack was thrown out of the gun, producing a sharp sound. Often this was a warning to the enemy that M1 had run out of ammunition.
• Reduced accuracy when shooting. The reason for this lack was the presence of a long and gas engine with moving parts.

Designing a new rifle, American gunsmiths took into account all the shortcomings of the M1 Garand:

• The M14 rifle contains a modified gas engine system: it replaces the long piston stroke with a short (37 mm) piston.
• A cartridge was developed, with the preservation of ballistic characteristics inherent in the caliber of 7.62x63 mm. The new 7.62x51 caliber in 1952 was adopted by the US Army, and from 1954 it is considered a full-time patron of NATO.

As a result of the design work, the American automatic rifle M14 created at that time was a weapon that was light enough, with high accuracy and killing rates.

Production

For the manufacture of 1.4 million units of new weapons from the treasury of the United States in 1961 was allocated 144 million dollars. Springfield Armory took up the serial production of this model. By the end of 1961, as a result of unforeseen delays, only one division was armed with a new rifle. In 1962, the process of introducing M14 into the American army was completed. For each taxpayer in the United States, one unit of this weapon cost $ 102.

The use of an assault rifle in Vietnam

Battle baptism of the American M14 rifle took place during the Vietnam War. The experience of military operations of the US military showed that the M14 rifle is not suitable for use in the jungle. First of all, the inconvenience was caused by too long weapons. The second drawback was the large weight of used cartridges. As recalled by the participants in the fighting, it was uncomfortable to use M14 in the jungle conditions: it was very difficult for the shoots to interrupt the shooting. Therefore, the US military leadership decided to give soldiers a rifle without an interpreter of the fire regime. If necessary, it could be installed on M14 back. The wooden bed in a damp climate swelled, which adversely affected the accuracy of the shooting. Over time, in the production of these rifles, the wood was replaced with fiberglass.

Tactical and technical characteristics

• The weight of the weapon is 5.1 kg.
• The length of the M14 rifle is 112 cm.
• The length of the barrel is 559 mm.
• Rate of fire - 750 shots / 1 min.
• The caliber is 7.62 mm.
• The initial speed of the bullet is 850 m / sec.
• The aiming range is 500 m.

Gas Automation Design

Rifle M14 - a model that works due to an automatic gas engine. Powder gases are discharged from the barrel bore through a special tube, which is located under the barrel. The gas piston, unlike the M1 Garand analog, has a short working stroke. The piston is in the form of a cup, in which a special hole for the powder gases is provided. Automatic gas shut-off is performed after the piston has retracted. Cutting off excess gases softens the operation of the automatic rifle. The piston does not contain a return spring. It interacts with the breech block frame, which, with the help of a long lever, connects to the rotary bolt. The M14 rifle (photo below) is equipped with two combat stops, which, entering the grooves on the receiver, lock the barrel channel. The design of the shutter in the M14 is similar to the design in the M1 Garand, in which also the locking is carried out by two combat stops. The difference is that the M14 rifle instead of the shutter protrusion contains a roller. This reduces the wear and tear of its system.

Outward appearance

For aiming in the design of the rifle M14 uses an adjustable diopter lens. It is installed in the namushnik (bulging part of the trunk) and in the back of the receiver. The box has a semi-pistol grip and a metal upper nozzle on the barrel for fastening the flame arrester and bayonet. A bed made of wood is made.

Shock-trigger mechanism

As in the M1 Garand, in the rifle M14 USM trigger type. The difference is that in the new modification there is a mechanism that makes it possible to fire the queue. In addition, the M14 are equipped with a special fire mode translator. It is placed on the right side of the receiver above the trigger. To stop the valve in the open position after all the ammunition is consumed from the magazine, you can use a shut-off delay. It is located on the receiver on the left.

Feeding ammunition

The M14 rifle is equipped with box detachable magazines, in which cartridges are placed in two rows. These stores can be equipped without disconnecting them from the rifle. For this purpose, gun designers have standard clips designed for five rounds. Such devices are connected to the weapon with the help of special guiding devices, which are located on top of the receiver.

Modifications

M14 is a rifle, on the basis of which various advanced models were created:

• M14A1. This modification appeared in 1963. Following the requests of the military, wishing to use the familiar M14 rifle as a light machine gun, the weapons designers assembled the M14A1 model. The new modification is a product in which a pistol grip is added. In addition, in the rifle M14A1 there are bipods, a folding front handle and a removable muzzle brake-compensator.
• In 1963 another rifle, M14M, was designed. This weapon is commercial. The design of the system makes it possible to carry out only single shots.
• M1A. The manufacturer of this weapon is Springfield Armory. The lodge, butt and trunk overlay of this rifle are made of wood.
• M21 of 1960 year of release. This is a sniper rifle M14.
• M25 (Sniper Weapon System) 1990. This is another sniper model made on the basis of 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 trunk is shortened to 16 inches and the gas removal system is 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 is changed).
• M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle. The weapon was designed in 2008. It is used by the US Marine Corps.

Based on the American M14, weapons designers of other states have created their own models. China produced Norinco M14S, which is a self-loading M14. In Estonia, based on the American assault rifle, a sniper model Tapsuspuss M14-TP appeared. It has found its application in the Armed Forces of Estonia.

Counter Strike 1.6

Today a lot of different games are given to the attention of experienced gamers, shooter fans, and ordinary users of different ages. One of the popular computer games in cyber sport is Counter Strike ("KS"). The tests conducted by consumers showed that Counter Strike 1.6 uses special demand due to improved technologies (the presence of a qualitative texture of very realistic stereo sounds and obscene expressions). Among the large selection of sniper weapons, the player is provided with a 1.6 model WUA in the "KS" series. On the rifle M14 in Counter Strike created a similar modification - the model M4A1. This rifle in its tactical and technical characteristics is superior to the legendary AK-47. M4A1 equipped with a device for silent shooting. In comparison with the AK-47 for the M14 analogue, the smaller dispersion of the bullets is characteristic. This increases the chances of hitting even the enemy's head.

Airsoft variant

For those who want to purchase weapons for entertainment, the M14 ASGSocom airsoft rifle will be an ideal option. This rifle is a tactical version of the American automatic M14, which was famous since the Vietnam War. The airsoft model is equipped with a shortened barrel and Viver strips, necessary for fastening various accessories: a tactical flashlight, an optical or a collimator sights.

Characteristics of the Socom M14

• The rifle is equipped with a mechanical bunker magazine.
• The store capacity is 40 balls.
• The length of the weapon is 1127 mm.
• Mass of the rifle - 3090 g.
• The speed of the ball reaches 115 m / sec.
• The model is equipped with an adjustable Hop-Up system.

The wind version of the American assault rifle

On the basis of the M14, the pneumatic weapon M160-A2 was created. In the production of the model, metal and solid plastic are used. The characteristics of this weapon provided its great demand among consumers:

• 6mm bullets are provided for the rifle.
• The model is equipped with a Hop-Up system.
• The rate of fire of the M160-A2 is 85 m / sec.
• The weapon has an aiming range not exceeding 50 m.
• Comfortable sighting is provided by means of an adjustable head.
• In the design, developers have a special lever - a fuse, which protects the owner from an unexpected shot. The lever on the trigger guard is located. 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 bar, a collimator sight, a flashlight, safety glasses, a Phillips screwdriver, a belt and various attachments to it. Included in the kit is a loader with a loader and a package with pellets, which counts at least 90 pieces.

Air rifle M14 (M-160 A2) is available for purchase to persons who have reached the age of 16.

Application

The M14 automatic rifle is today a ceremonial weapon used for solemn events by the Marine Corps, National Guard and US Navy units. M14, being in the arsenal of the American army for more than half a century, is considered the least used rifle regular weapon.

From 1970 to 1980, the US, providing free 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 300,000 units of this model from military depots.

The M14 rifle (photo below) is equipped with a powerful ammunition and is characterized by a high accuracy in the performance of single shots. This gave grounds to designers based on the M14 to create high-quality sniper weapons. Today, special sniper rifles of the United States and a dozen other states use the M14 sniper rifle .

The assault rifle M14 in the United States of America is practically not used. The US Army uses the M39 model Enhanced Marksman Rifle, which was built on the basis of the M14, which managed to prove its effectiveness in Haiti, Israel, Argentina, Korea and China.