M14 Rifle
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Battle Rifle · Discontinued · 1959
Also known as: United States Rifle, 7.62mm, M14, US Rifle M14
Overview
The M14 Rifle is a select-fire battle rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, produced by Springfield Armory since 1959. Featuring a 20-round magazine capacity, this battle rifle offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3946 g (139.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4990 g (176.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1121 mm (44.13") |
| Barrel Length | 559 mm (22.01") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Rotating Bolt |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 853 m/s (2799 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3457 J (2550 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 460 m (503 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3725 m (4074 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Lined Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO, 7.62x51mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Magazine Disconnect
- Features: Select Fire, Chrome Lined Barrel, Rotating Bolt, Gas Operated, Flash Suppressor, Bayonet Lug, Grenade Launcher Capable
Variants
- M14A1 — Squad Automatic
- M21 Sniper Rifle — Sniper
- M25 Sniper Weapon System — Sniper
- Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle — Modernized
- M14 EBR-RI — Designated Marksman
- M14 DMR — Designated Marksman
- M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle — Designated Marksman
Service history
Operators
- United States Armed Forces · adopted 1959 · as M14
- United States Navy SEALs · adopted 2000 · as Mk 14 EBR
- United States Army Special Forces · adopted 1988 · as M25 SWS
- United States Marine Corps · adopted 2008 · as M39 EMR
- Estonian Defence Forces · adopted 1998 · as M14-TP
- Australian Army · adopted 1965 · as XM21
- Republic of Korea Army · as M14
- Republic of China Armed Forces · as M14
- Israeli Defense Forces · as M14
- Greek Armed Forces · as M14
- Argentine Armed Forces · as M14
- Colombian Armed Forces · as M14
- Venezuelan Armed Forces · as M14
- Ukrainian Armed Forces · as M14
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- Dominican Civil War (1965-1966)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,500,000 · Production years: 1959-1964
Produced by Springfield Armory, Winchester, Harrington & Richardson, and Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Earle Harvey
Discontinued: 1964
Notes
Production was halted in January 1963 after approximately 1.5 million units were manufactured by Springfield Armory, Winchester, Harrington & Richardson, and Thompson-Romo-Wooldridge. Early production suffered quality control issues with some rifles failing range tests. The M14A1 variant featured a pistol grip and bipod for automatic fire, though controllability remained challenging. While officially replaced by the M16, the M14 platform experienced a renaissance in the 2000s with modernized variants like the Mk 14 EBR seeing extensive use in Afghanistan and Iraq as designated marksman rifles. The rifle's 1:12 inch rifling twist rate was optimized for 147-175 grain bullets. Many M14s were later converted to M21 and M25 sniper rifles with match-grade barrels and precision optics. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) continues to use M14s for ceremonial purposes.
Background
The M14 had the shortest service life of any standard U.S. infantry rifle, serving as the primary battle rifle for only about 8 years before being replaced by the M16. However, it experienced a remarkable renaissance in the 2000s when modernized variants like the Mk 14 EBR proved invaluable as designated marksman rifles in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the 7.62mm NATO round outperformed 5.56mm at extended ranges.