M14A1 Squad Automatic Rifle
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Battle Rifle · Out Of Production · 1966
Also known as: M14E2, M14E2 SOG, M14 Squad Automatic
Overview
The M14A1 is the squad-automatic-weapon variant of the M14 battle rifle, originally fielded as the M14E2 in 1963 and redesignated M14A1 in 1966. The rifle was developed at the U.S. Army Infantry School to provide controllable full-automatic suppressive fire from a magazine-fed shoulder weapon. To tame the M14's recoil in automatic fire, the variant added an in-line straight-stock layout with a vertical pistol grip, a folding front handgrip adjustable in five one-inch increments, an M2 bipod, a muzzle stabilizer fitting over the slotted flash suppressor, a hinged buttplate over a rubber recoil pad, and a modified BAR sling. Despite these changes the platform remained difficult to control, the 20-round magazine offered limited suppressive volume, and the rifle overheated quickly in sustained fire, leading to its rapid replacement by the belt-fed M60 in the squad automatic role.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 5100 g (179.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5760 g (203.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1120 mm (44.09") |
| Barrel Length | 559 mm (22.01") |
| Sight Radius | 711 mm (27.99") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 22 N (4.9 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 850 m/s (2789 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3430 J (2530 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 460 m (503 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3725 m (4074 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| 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, Select Fire Lever
- Features: In Line Pistol Grip Stock, Folding Vertical Foregrip, M2 Bipod, Muzzle Stabilizer, Select Fire, Rubber Recoil Buttpad, Hinged Buttplate, BAR Sling, Synthetic Handguard
Variants
- M14E2 (Original Designation) — Predecessor Designation
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1966 · as M14A1
- Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) · as M14A1
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1965-1973)
Production
Estimated total produced: 8,300 · Production years: 1963-1968
Approximately 8,300 rifles produced; most converted from existing M14 receivers rather than built new.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: United States Army Infantry School
Discontinued: 1970
Notes
Approximately 8,300 rifles produced - extremely rare today. Some M14E2/M14A1 rifles were transferred to ARVN units; documented use among ARVN Rangers during the Tet Offensive. The platform was officially considered obsolete in U.S. Army service by 1970 as the M16 and M60 took over its roles.
Background
When U.S. troops in Vietnam complained that the M14A1 was nearly impossible to control on full-auto despite all its add-ons, the Pentagon's solution was characteristically pragmatic: stop trying to make a battle rifle do an LMG's job and just issue more M60s. The M14A1's reign as a frontline squad automatic lasted barely four years.