M14E2 Rifle
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Battle Rifle · Out Of Production · 1963
Also known as: M14E2 SOG, M14 (modified), M14 M
Overview
The M14E2 was the developmental designation for the M14 squad automatic weapon variant fielded by the U.S. Army Infantry School in 1963 before being type-classified as the M14A1 in 1966. The rifle introduced the now-recognizable in-line straight-line stock with a fixed vertical pistol grip, a folding front handgrip adjustable through five one-inch positions, an M2 steel bipod, a muzzle stabilizer over the original slotted flash suppressor, a synthetic upper handguard for thermal protection, and a hinged steel buttplate over a rubber recoil pad. The 'E' suffix indicated experimental/engineering test status - the M14E2 was effectively the prototype and limited-issue version of what later became the M14A1. Some E2 rifles saw limited combat in Vietnam with U.S. Special Forces and MACV-SOG, where they were appreciated for their full-power 7.62 NATO cartridge but criticized for the magazine-fed format's limited suppression volume.
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: Developmental Designation, Vertical Pistol Grip Stock, Folding Front Handgrip, M2 Steel Bipod, Muzzle Stabilizer, Select Fire, Rubber Recoil Pad, Hinged Steel Buttplate, Synthetic Upper Handguard, Five Position Adjustable Foregrip
Variants
- M14A1 (Type-Classified Designation) — Later Designation
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Army Infantry School · adopted 1963 · as M14E2
- United States Army Special Forces (MACV-SOG) · as M14E2
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1965-1968)
Production
Estimated total produced: 8,300 · Production years: 1963-1968
Production figure is shared with the M14A1 redesignation; rifles built before 1966 carry M14E2 markings, those built/inspected after carry M14A1.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: United States Army Infantry School
Discontinued: 1966
Notes
M14E2 and M14A1 are mechanically identical - the redesignation in 1966 was purely an administrative type-classification change. Production totals are usually quoted together; approximately 8,300 rifles built across both designations. Forgotten Weapons documents that early E2 conversions reused existing M14 receivers and were performed at U.S. armories.
Background
MACV-SOG operators in Vietnam reportedly nicknamed the M14E2 'the elephant gun' - both for its 7.62 NATO punch and for the way the bipod, foregrip, and muzzle stabilizer ballooned the rifle's profile to nearly twice that of a standard M14. Few survived the war intact; surviving examples today command five-figure prices on the collector market.