M14E1
Springfield Armory · Battle Rifle · Discontinued · 1959
Also known as: M14 folding stock, Rifle 7.62mm M14E1
Overview
The M14E1 is an experimental battle rifle developed at Springfield Armory as a folding-stock variant of the standard M14. Chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO and fed from a 20-round detachable box magazine, it retained the M14's gas-operated, rotating-bolt action and selective-fire capability while replacing the fixed wooden stock with one of several side-folding metal stock and pistol-grip configurations. The folding stocks were intended to shorten the rifle for airborne, armored-infantry, and other roles requiring a more compact weapon. Five stock types were trialed, but none was selected or type-classified for service.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4500 g (158.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5500 g (194.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1181 mm (46.50") |
| Barrel Length | 559 mm (22.01") |
| Sight Radius | 660 mm (25.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 850 m/s (2789 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3440 J (2537 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 | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62 NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Side Folding Stock, Pistol Grip, Selective Fire, Rotating Bolt, Gas Cutoff Valve, Adjustable Aperture Sights
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Army
Production
Production years: 1959-1964
Experimental program; only small numbers of folding-stock prototypes were built. None entered mass production.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Springfield Armory
Discontinued: 1964
Notes
Five M14E1 folding-stock designs were tested (a tool-room Type I plus Types II through V). None was standardized; the program ran in parallel with other M14 improvement efforts. Specifications below reflect the M14E1's M14 mechanical baseline, with overall length and weight differing by folding-stock type.
Background
The M14E1 grew out of the U.S. Army's search for a more compact version of its new standard rifle. Springfield Armory engineers tried several side-folding stock designs to make the M14 suitable for paratroopers and armored crews, but the rifle's length, weight, and recoil in 7.62mm NATO worked against the concept, and the project was ultimately shelved as the M14 itself was overtaken by the M16.