American automatic rifle M14 - a modern weapon

Until the middle of the 20th century, the US military used the M1 Garand self-loading rifle. Despite all its advantages, the fighting of the Second World War showed that this model must be modernized. The US Armed Forces needed a similar, but more modern weapon. At the end of the 50s, the M14 rifle was developed, which for ten years was in service with many armies of the world.

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

Start of creation

Armed with the U.S. Army M1 Garand had the disadvantages:

The rifle was loaded with packs of eight rounds, without the possibility of reloading a half-empty magazine.
After the ammunition was used up, the pack was thrown out of the weapon, making a sharp sound. Often this was a warning to the enemy that the M1 had run out of ammunition.
Reduced accuracy when shooting. The reason for this drawback was the presence of a long and gas engine with moving parts.

When 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 one (37 mm).
A cartridge was developed, while maintaining the ballistic characteristics inherent in the caliber of 7.62x63 mm. The US Army adopted the new 7.62x51 caliber cartridge in 1952, and since 1954 it has been considered a regular NATO cartridge.

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

Production

For the manufacture of 1.4 million units of new weapons from the treasury of the United States of America in 1961, 144 million dollars were allocated. The serial production of this model was taken by Springfield Armory. 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 the M14 into the U.S. Army was completed. For each taxpayer in the United States, one unit of this weapon cost $ 102.

Using an Assault Rifle in Vietnam

The baptism of fire the American M14 rifle took place during the Vietnam War. The experience of the military operations of the American military showed that the M14 rifle is unsuitable for use in the jungle. First of all, the inconvenience was caused by the too long weapons. The second disadvantage was the heavy weight of the cartridges used. As combatants recall, using the M14 in the jungle was uncomfortable: leaves were very difficult to fire bursts. Therefore, the U.S. Army leadership decided to issue rifles to soldiers without a fire mode translator. If necessary, it could be installed back onto the M14. The wooden bed in a humid climate swelled, which negatively affected the accuracy of the fire. Over time, in the manufacture of these rifles, wood was replaced by fiberglass.

The performance characteristics

The weight of the weapon is 5.1 kg.
The length of the M14 rifle is 112 cm.
The barrel length is 559 mm.
Rate of fire - 750 rounds / 1 min.
Caliber -7.62 mm.
The initial velocity of the bullet is 850 m / s.
Sighting range 500 m.

Gas automation design

The M14 rifle is a model that works through an automatic gas engine. Powder gases are removed from the bore through a special tube, which is located under the barrel. The gas piston, unlike the M1 Garand counterpart, has a short stroke. The piston is presented in the form of a glass, in which a special opening for powder gases is provided. Automatic gas shut-off is performed after the piston moves back. Cutting off excess gas softens the operation of rifle automation. The piston does not contain a return spring. It interacts with an under-barrel bolt frame, which is connected with a rotary bolt using a long lever. 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 locking is also carried out by two combat stops. The difference is that the M14 rifle contains a roller instead of a bolt protrusion. This reduces the wear of her system.

External design

For aiming in the design of the M14 rifle, an adjustable diopter rear sight is used. It is installed in the namushnik (muzzle of the barrel) and in the back of the receiver. The bed has a semi-pistol grip and a metal upper nozzle on the barrel for attaching a flame arrester and bayonet. A bed of wood is made.

Trigger mechanism

As in the M1 Garand, the M14 rifle trigger trigger type M14. The differences are that in the new modification there is a mechanism that allows firing a burst. In addition, the M14s are equipped with a special fire mode translator. It is placed on the right on the receiver above the trigger. You can stop the bolt in the open position after using up all the ammunition from the magazine using the bolt delay. It is located on the receiver on the left.

Ammunition

The M14 rifle is equipped with detachable box magazines, in which cartridges are located in two rows. These stores can be equipped without disconnecting them from the rifle. For this purpose, weapons designers have provided standard clips designed for five rounds. Such devices are connected to weapons using 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, weapons designers assembled the M14A1 model. The new modification is a product in which a pistol grip is added. In addition to it, the M14A1 rifle has bipods, a folding front handle and a removable muzzle brake compensator.
In 1963, another rifle was designed - the M14M. This weapon is commercial. The design of the system allows only single shots.
M1A. The manufacturer of this weapon is Springfield Armory. The stock, stock and barrel pad of this rifle are made of wood.
M21 1960 release. This is an M14 sniper rifle.
M25 (Sniper Weapon System) 1990. This is another sniper model, made on the basis of the M 14. Used by M 25 special forces of the United States of America.
In 2004, the M1A Socom 16 weapon appeared. In this model, the barrel was shortened to 16 inches and the gas exhaust system was 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 has been changed).
M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle. The weapon was designed in 2008. Used by US Marine Corps.

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

Counter strike 1.6

Today, the attention of experienced gamers, shooter fans, and ordinary users of different ages is provided with a large series of different games. One of the most popular computer games in cyber sports is Counter Strike ("KS"). Conducted consumer tests showed that Counter Strike 1.6 is in special demand due to improved technologies (the presence of a high-quality texture of very realistic stereo sounds and obscene expressions). Among a large selection of sniper weapons, the player is provided with a WUA 1.6 model in the KS series. A similar modification was created on the M14 rifle in Counter Strike - the M4A1 model. This rifle in terms of performance characteristics surpasses the legendary AK-47. M4A1 is equipped with a device for silent shooting. Compared with the AK-47, the M14 analogue is characterized by less bullet dispersion. This increases the chances of hitting even the opponent’s head.

Airsoft option

For those who wish to purchase weapons for entertainment, the M14 ASGSocom airsoft rifle is the perfect option. This rifle is a tactical version of the American automatic M14, famous since the time of the Vietnam War. The airsoft model is equipped with a shortened barrel and weaver rails, necessary for mounting various accessories: a tactical flashlight, optical or collimator sights.

Characteristics of the Socom M14 model

The rifle is equipped with a bunker type mechanical magazine.
The capacity of the store is 40 balls.
The length of the weapon is 1127 mm.
Mass rifle - 3090
The speed of the ball reaches 115 m / s.
The model is equipped with an adjustable hop-up system.

The wind version of the American assault rifle

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

For a rifle, 6 mm bullets are provided.
The model is equipped with a Hop-Up system.
M160-A2 rate of fire is 85 m / s.
The weapon has an aiming range not exceeding 50 m.
Comfortable aiming is provided with an adjustable rear sight.
In the design, the developers have provided a special lever - a fuse that protects the owner from an unexpected shot. The lever is located on the trigger guard. 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, goggles, a Phillips screwdriver, a belt and various fastenings to it. A loader and a package with bullets, which includes at least 90 pieces, are included with a spiritual weapon.