View source for M14 rifle

{{short description|American battle rifle}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = United States Rifle, Caliber 7.62 mm, M14
| image              = [[File:M14_rifle.jpg|border|300px|class=pageimage]]
| caption            = An M14 rifle shown with a 20-round [[Magazine (firearms)|magazine]]
| alt                = An M14 rifle with a magazine shown from the right side view
| type               = [[Battle rifle]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| service            = {{ubl
  | 1957–present
  | 1957–1964 (as the standard U.S. service rifle)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrablog.com/articles/2017/1/a-brief-history-of-the-m14-rifle-a-time-of-transition/ |title=A brief history of the M14 Rifle: A time of transition |last=Metesh |first=T. Logan |date=January 4, 2017 |website=NRA Blog |access-date=February 18, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204034123/https://www.nrablog.com/articles/2017/1/a-brief-history-of-the-m14-rifle-a-time-of-transition/ |archive-date=2023-02-04}}</ref>
}}
| wars               = See ''[[#Conflicts|Conflicts]]''
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           =
| number             = 1.3 million<ref name="miller2001">{{cite book |last=Miller |first=David |date=2001 |title=The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns |publisher=Salamander Books Ltd. |isbn=1-84065-245-4}}</ref>
| length             = 44.3&nbsp;in (1,126&nbsp;mm)
| action             = [[Gas-operated reloading|Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]]
| origin             = United States
| is_ranged          = Yes
<!-- Service history -->
| used_by            = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
| design_date        = 1954
| manufacturer       = {{ubl
  | [[Springfield Armory]]
  | [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester]]
  | [[Harrington & Richardson]]
  | [[TRW Inc.|Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge, Inc.]]
}}
| production_date    = 1957–1980<ref name=book1_pp20-21>{{cite book |last1=Duff |first1=Scott A. |last2=Miller |first2=John M. |title=The M14 owner's guide and match conditioning instructions |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E1syAAAACAAJ |year=1996 |publisher=S.A. Duff Publications |isbn=978-1-888722-07-9 |pages=20–21 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref><ref name=book2_pp245>{{cite book |last=Stevens |first=R. Blake |title=US Rifle M14: From John Garand to the M21 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ktA0PQAACAAJ |access-date=27 September 2011 |date=June 1991 |publisher=Collector Grade Publications |isbn=978-0-88935-110-3 |page=245}}</ref>
| variants           = See ''[[#Variants and related designs|Variants]]''
<!-- General specifications -->
| weight             = {{ubl
  | {{convert|9.2|lb|kg}} empty
  | {{convert|10.7|lb|kg}} with loaded magazine<ref name="FM23-8_U.S._Rifle"/>
}}
| part_length        = 22&nbsp;in (559&nbsp;mm)
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = [[7.62×51mm NATO]] (.308&nbsp;in)
| rate               = 700–750 rounds/min
| velocity           = {{convert|2800|ft/s|0|abbr=on}}
| range              = {{ubl
  | {{convert|500|yd|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pica.army.mil/picatinnypublic/products_services/products08.asp |title=Small Caliber and Infantry Weapons |website=[[Picatinny Arsenal]] |access-date=2009-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110221658/http://www.pica.army.mil/PicatinnyPublic/products_services/products08.asp |archive-date=2010-01-10}}</ref>
  | {{convert|875|yd|0|abbr=on}}/{{convert|3725|yd|0|abbr=on}} maximum range<ref name="FM23-8_U.S._Rifle"/><ref name="TC2314">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/milmanual-tc-23-14-sniper-training--employment/tc_23-14_sniper_training__employment_djvu.txt |title=TC 23-14, Sniper Training and Employment |publisher=Department of the Army |date=October 1969 |page=17}}</ref>
}}
| max_range          =
| feed               = {{ubl
  | [[stripper clip]]s<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/2/8/6-reasons-to-reconsider-m14-m1a-rifles |title=6 Reasons to Reconsider M14 & M1A Rifles |last=Sheetz |first=Brian C. |date=February 8, 2020 |website=[[American Rifleman]] |language=en |access-date=2021-05-15}}</ref>
  | 10- to 20-round detachable [[box magazine]]s
}}
| sights             = Aperture rear sight, "barleycorn" front sight
}}

The '''M14 rifle''', officially the '''United States Rifle, Caliber 7.62&nbsp;mm, M14''', is an American [[battle rifle]] chambered for the [[7.62×51mm NATO]] [[rifle cartridge|cartridge]]. It became the [[service rifle|standard-issue rifle]] for the [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]] in 1957, replacing the [[M1 Garand]] rifle in service with the U.S. Army by 1958 and the [[U.S. Marine Corps]] by 1965; deliveries of service rifles to the U.S. Army began in 1959. The M14 was used by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps for Basic and Advanced Individual Training from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s.<ref name="FM23-8_U.S._Rifle"/><ref name="Operator_Manual">{{cite book |url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tm-9-1005-223-10-operators-manual-for-rifle-762mm-m14-w-e-and-m14a1-w-e-department-of-defense/1134244996 |title=TM 9-1005-223-10 Operator's Manual for Rifle, 7.62mm, M14, W/E and M14A1, W/E |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Department of Defense |date=1972 |isbn=978-1-98128-407-8}}</ref>

The M14 was the last American battle [[rifle]] issued in quantity to U.S. military personnel. In 1967, it was officially replaced by the [[M16 rifle|M16]] [[assault rifle]], a lighter weapon with a smaller [[5.56×45mm NATO|5.56×45mm]] [[intermediate cartridge]]. The M14 rifle remains in limited service across all branches of the U.S. military, with variants used as [[sniper rifle|sniper]] and [[designated marksman rifle]]s, accurized competition weapons, and [[ceremonial weapon]]s by [[honor guard]]s, [[color guard]]s, [[drill team]]s, and ceremonial guards. Civilian [[Semi-automatic rifle|semi-automatic]] variants are used for hunting, target shooting, and shooting competitions.<ref name="FM23-8_U.S._Rifle" />

The M14 served as the basis for the [[M21 Sniper Weapon System|M21]]<ref name="M21">{{cite web |url=http://www.snipercentral.com/us-army-m21-xm21/ |title=US Army M21 and XM21 |last=Ewing |first=Mel |date=2016-04-28 |website=SniperCentral.com |access-date=26 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115143644/http://www.snipercentral.com/us-army-m21-xm21/ |archive-date=15 January 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[M25 sniper rifle|M25]] sniper rifles, which were eventually replaced by the [[M24 Sniper Weapon System]]. A new variant of the M14, the [[Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle]], has been in service since 2002.<ref name="AmericanRifleman-M14EBR">{{cite web |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2011/2/23/the-m14-enhanced-battle-rifle/ |title=The M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle |last=Plaster |first=John L. |date=February 23, 2011 |website=American Rifleman |access-date=26 February 2017}}</ref>

==History==

===Early development===
The M14's development stemmed from an extensive line of experimental weapons based on the M1 Garand rifle. Although the M1 was among the most advanced [[infantry]] rifle designs of the late 1930s, it was not without faults, as various modifications to the basic M1 were considered during the last months of [[World War II]]. Changes included the addition of [[Automatic firearm|fully automatic]] fire and the replacement of the eight-round [[Clip (ammunition)#En bloc|''en bloc'' clip]] with a detachable [[box magazine]] holding 20 rounds. [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester]], [[Remington Arms|Remington]], and [[Springfield Armory]]'s [[John Garand]] offered alternate conversions. Garand's design, the [[M1 Garand rifle#Variants|T20]], was the most popular, and T20 prototypes served as the basis for several [[Springfield rifle|Springfield]] test rifles from 1945 through the early 1950s.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lewis |first=Jack |author-link=Jack Lewis (screenwriter) |title=Gun Digest Book of Assault Weapons |edition=7th |year=2007 |publisher=Gun Digest Books |location=Iola, Wisconsin |isbn=978-1-4402-2652-6 |page=210 |chapter=A short-lived replacement}}</ref>

[[File:T25 Experimental Rifle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.25|T25 prototype]]
In 1945, Earle Harvey of [[Springfield Armory]] designed an entirely different rifle, the T25, for the new T65 .30 light rifle [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]] (7.62×49mm). This was at the direction of Col. Rene Studler, then serving in the Pentagon.<ref name="RAY">{{cite book |url=https://www.merriam-press.com/randomshots.aspx |last=Rayle |first=Roy E. |title=Random Shots: Episodes In The Life Of A Weapons Developer |location=Bennington, VT |publisher=Merriam Press |isbn=978-1-4357-5021-0 |date=2008 |edition=4th |pages=17–22, 95–95 |access-date=2019-12-15 |archive-date=2019-12-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215223605/https://www.merriam-press.com/randomshots.aspx |url-status=dead}}</ref> Harvey and Studler were then transferred to Springfield Armory in late 1945, to continuously develop the T25.<ref name="RAY"/> The T25 was designed to use the T65 service cartridge, a Frankford Arsenal design based upon the [[.30-06 Springfield|.30-06]] cartridge used in the M1, but shortened to the same length as the [[.300 Savage]].<ref name="RAY" /> Although shorter than the .30-06, meaning less powder capacity, the T65 cartridge retained the ballistics and energy of the .30-06, which can be attributed to the use of a recently developed ball powder designed by Olin Industries.<ref name="RAY" /><ref name="Modern Firearms M14" /> After experimenting with several bullet designs, the T65 was finalized for adoption as the [[7.62×51mm NATO]] cartridge.<ref name="RAY" /> Olin Industries later introduced the cartridge to the commercial market as the [[.308 Winchester]].<ref name="RAY"/> After a series of revisions by Earle Harvey and the other members of the .30 light rifle design group following the 1950 [[Fort Moore|Fort Benning]] tests, the T25 was renamed the T47.<ref name="RAY"/>

The T44 prototype rifle was a conventional design developed at Springfield Armory as an alternative to the T47.<ref name="RAY"/> With minimal funding available, the earliest T44 prototypes used T20E2 [[Receiver (firearms)|receivers]] fitted with magazine filler blocks and rebarreled for the 7.62×51mm cartridge. Additionally, the long operating rod/piston of the M1 was replaced by the T47's gas cut-off system.<ref name="RAY"/> Though not principally designed by any single engineer, Lloyd Corbett is credited for several refinements to the T44 design. Refinements included the addition of a bolt roller intended to reduce friction and a straight operating rod.<ref name="RAY"/>

===Infantry Board service rifle trials===
[[File:T47 Experimental Rifle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.25|Experimental T47 rifle]]

The T44 was tested in a competitive service rifle competition conducted by the Infantry Board at Fort Benning, Georgia against the Springfield T47 (a modified T25) and the [[T48 rifle|T48]], a variant of [[Fabrique Nationale]]'s [[FN FAL]] (from ''Fusil Automatique Leger'', French for "light automatic rifle").<ref name="STE">{{cite book |last=Stevens |first=R. Blake |title=The FAL Rifle |publisher=Collector Grade Publications |isbn=978-0-88935-168-4 |date=1993 |edition=Classic}}</ref> The T47 did not have a bolt roller and performed worse than both the T44 and the T48 in dust and cold-weather tests. Thus, it was dropped from consideration in 1953.<ref name="RAY"/> During 1952–53, testing proved the T48 and the T44 to be roughly comparable in performance, with the T48 holding an advantage in ease of field stripping and dust resistance, and a longer product development lead time.<ref name="RAY"/><ref name="STE"/> A ''[[Newsweek]]'' article in July 1953 speculated that the T48/FAL could have been selected over the T44.<ref name="RAY"/><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Washington Trends: National Affairs |magazine=Newsweek |volume=42 |date=20 July 1953 |page=20}}</ref> During the winter of 1953–54, both rifles competed in the winter rifle trials at U.S. Army facilities in the Arctic.<ref name="STE"/><ref name="CRU">{{cite web |url=http://www.cruffler.com/historic-april01.html |title=The T48 Automatic Rifle: The American FAL |date=April 2001 |website=Cruffler.com |access-date=24 April 2012}}</ref> Springfield Armory engineers, anxious to ensure the selection of the T44, had been specially preparing and modifying the test T44 rifles for weeks with the aid of the armory's cold chamber, including a redesign of the T44 gas regulator and custom modifications to magazines and other parts to reduce friction and seizing in extreme cold.<ref name="STE"/><ref name="CRU"/> The T48 rifles received no such special preparation and in the continued cold-weather testing began to experience sluggish gas system functioning, aggravated by the T48's close-fitting surfaces between bolt and carrier, and carrier and receiver.<ref name="RAY"/><ref name="STE"/><ref name="CRU"/> FN engineers opened the gas ports in an attempt to improve functioning, but this caused early/violent extraction and broken parts as a result of the increased pressures.<ref name="RAY"/><ref name="STE"/><ref name="CRU"/> As a result, the T44 was ranked superior in cold-weather operation to the T48.<ref name="STE"/> The Arctic Test Board report made it clear that the T48 needed improvement and that the U.S. would not adopt the T48 until it had successfully completed another round of Arctic tests the following winter.<ref name="RAY"/><ref name="STE"/>

In June 1954, funding became available to manufacture newly fabricated T44 receivers specially designed for the shorter T65 cartridge.<ref name="RAY"/> This single change to the T44 design saved a pound over the M1 Garand.<ref name="RAY"/> Tests at Fort Benning with the T44 and T48 continued through the summer and fall of 1956.<ref name="RAY"/> By this time, the T48/FAL rifles had been so improved that malfunction rates were almost as low as the T44.<ref name="RAY"/>

The T44 was selected over the T48/FAL due to lower weight, simplicity with fewer parts, the T44's self-compensating gas system, and because the T44 could supposedly be manufactured on existing machinery built for the M1 rifle (which was later found to be false).<ref name="RAY"/><ref name="STE"/><ref name="CRU"/><ref name="HAT">{{cite book |last=Hatcher |first=Julian S. |author-link=Julian Hatcher |date=1962 |title=Hatcher's Notebook |edition=3rd |location=Harrisburg, PA |publisher=The Stackpole Company |page=496}}</ref> In 1957, the U.S. formally adopted the T44 as the U.S. infantry service rifle designated M14.<ref name="RAY"/>

===Production contracts===
Initial production contracts for the M14 were awarded to the [[Springfield Armory]], [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester]], and [[H & R Firearms|Harrington & Richardson]].<ref name="Lee_Emerson"/> [[TRW Inc.|Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge Inc.]] (TRW) was later awarded a production contract for the rifle, as well. In all, 1,376,031 M14 service rifles were produced from 1959 to 1964.<ref name="EME">Emerson (2007), pp. 11, 29, 37, 60-72.</ref>

====National Match M14====
Springfield Armory produced 6,641 new M14 NM rifles in 1962 and 1963, while TRW produced 4,874 new M14 NM rifles in 1964. Springfield Armory later upgraded 2,094 M14 rifles in 1965 and 2,395 M14 rifles in 1966 to National Match specifications, while 2,462 M14 rifles were rebuilt to National Match standards in 1967 at the [[Rock Island Arsenal]]. In total, 11,130 National Match rifles were delivered by Springfield Armory, Rock Island Arsenal, and TRW during 1962–1967.<ref name="EME"/>

Production M14 rifles made by Springfield Armory and Winchester used forged receivers and bolts milled from AISI 8620 steel, a low-carbon steel with added molybdenum-chromium. Harrington & Richardson M14 production used AISI 8620 steel, as well, except for 10 receivers milled from AISI 1330 low-carbon steel and a single receiver made from a high-nickel alloy steel.<ref name="EME" />

===Deployment===
[[File:JunctionCity1967SupplyDrop.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A U.S. soldier with an M14 watches as supplies are dropped in 1967 during the [[Vietnam War]].]]

After the M14's adoption, Springfield Armory began tooling a new production line in 1958, delivering the first service rifles to the U.S. Army in July 1959. Long production delays, though, resulted in the [[101st Airborne Division]] being the only unit in the army fully equipped with the M14 by the end of 1960. The [[Fleet Marine Force]] finally completed the change from M1s to M14s in late 1961. Springfield Armory records reflect that M14 manufacture ended as TRW, fulfilling its second contract, delivered its final production increment in the fiscal year 1965 (1 July 1964 – 30 June 1965). The Springfield archive also indicates the 1.38 million rifles were acquired for just over $143 million, for a unit cost of about $104.<ref name=book1_pp20-21/><ref name=book2_pp245/>

The M14 was developed to replace four different weapons: the M1 Garand, the [[M3 submachine gun]], the [[M1 carbine]], and the [[M1918 Browning automatic rifle]] (BAR).<ref>{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Leroy |title=The M14 Battle Rifle |series=Weapons |volume=37 |date=2014 |page=12 |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-47280-255-2}}</ref> The intention was to simplify the logistical requirements of the troops by limiting the types of ammunition and parts needed to be supplied, but replacing all these weapons proved to be an impossible task; the M14 was deemed "completely inferior" to even the World War II M1 Garand in a September 1962 report by the [[comptroller]] for the [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]].<ref name="dtic.mil">{{cite web |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA044796.pdf |title=An Analysis of the Infantry's Need for an Assault Submachine Gun |last=Kay |first=Bruce I. |date=10 June 1977 |page=9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619194146/http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA044796&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf |archive-date=June 19, 2009}}</ref> The cartridge was too powerful for the [[submachine gun]] role and not powerful enough to serve as a [[light machine gun]] replacement for the M1918 BAR.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon |title=The M16 |year=2011 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84908-690-5 |page=6}}</ref>

[[File:M14 rifle - USA - 7,62x51mm - Special presentation rifle, Serial No 0010 - Armémuseum.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|A rare M14 presentation model, serial number 0010]]
The rifle was unwieldy in the thick brush of [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]] due to its length and weight, and the traditional wood [[Stock (firearm)|stocks]] made of walnut and birch tended to swell and expand in the heavy moisture of the jungle, adversely affecting accuracy. Fiberglass stocks were produced to resolve this problem, but the rifle was discontinued before the fiberglass stocks could be distributed for field use. With 2,560 [[Foot-pound force|ft·lbf]] (3,463 [[Joule|J]]) of muzzle energy, the power of the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge was valued for its range and cover penetration; despite this, the power of the cartridge also caused the weapon to be virtually uncontrollable in fully automatic fire. As a result, most M14s were permanently set to semiautomatic fire only, to avoid wasting ammunition in combat.<ref name="Lee_Emerson" /><ref name="Modern Firearms M14" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Dockery |first=Kevin |title=Future Weapons |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8RxJxY7wQn0C&pg=PA45 |access-date=27 September 2011 |date=4 December 2007 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-425-21750-4 |page=45}}</ref> Although marred by numerous shortcomings, the rifle served during its brief tour of duty with some modest success.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.173rdairborne.com/weapons.htm#M-14,%207.62mm%20Springfield%20Armory%20Rifle |title=Weapons of the Vietnam War |website=173rdAirborne.com |access-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112164414/http://www.173rdairborne.com/weapons.htm#M-14,%207.62mm%20Springfield%20Armory%20Rifle |archive-date=2011-11-12}}</ref>

===Replacement===
Within the Army research and development community, disputes arose between factions that supported the adoption of the M14 and the [[7.62×51mm NATO|7.62×51mm]] round from their inception and the other factions that opposed them. The M14 remained the primary infantry rifle in Vietnam until it was replaced by the [[M16 rifle|M16]] in 1967, though [[combat engineer]] units kept them for several years longer. Further procurement of the M14 was abruptly halted in early 1968 due to a U.S. Department of Defense report which stated that the [[ArmaLite AR-15|AR-15]], which would soon be designated the M16, was superior to the M14. A series of tests by the [[United States Department of the Army|U.S. Department of the Army]] following the report resulted in the decision to cancel the M14, although the DOD did not cancel the previous FY 1963 orders to be delivered.<ref name="dtic.mil"/> The M16 was ordered as a replacement for the M14 by the direction of [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Robert McNamara]] in 1964, over the objection of the U.S. Army officers who had backed the M14. Though production of the M14 was officially discontinued, some discontented troops managed to persist with them while deriding the early-model M16 as a frail and underpowered "[[Mattel]] toy" that was prone to jamming.<ref name="Mattel_M16">{{cite web |last1=Valle |first1=Orvelin |title=Vietnam War troops hated the M16 and called it a piece of garbage |url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/vietnam-war-troops-hated-the-m16-and-called-it-a-piece-of-garbage |website=We Are The Mighty |publisher=Mighty Networks |access-date=16 December 2019 |date=14 February 2017 |quote="We called it the Mattel 16 because it was made of plastic," said Marine veteran Jim Wodecki. "At that time it was a piece of garbage".}}</ref><ref>Rose, p. 387.</ref> A Congressional investigation later discovered these characteristics to be the result of intentional attempts by Army bureaucracy to sabotage the M16's field performance in Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fallows |first=James |date=1981-06-01 |title=M-16: A Bureaucratic Horror Story |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1981/06/m-16-a-bureaucratic-horror-story/545153/ |access-date=2021-08-13 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref> In late 1967, the U.S. Army designated the M16 as the "Standard A" rifle, and the M14 became a "Limited Standard" weapon. The M14 rifle remained the standard rifle for U.S. Army Basic Training and troops stationed in Europe until 1970.<ref name="UsaPublications2007">{{cite book |title=Philippines Army Weapon Systems Handbook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7R9_zQEACAAJ |access-date=25 June 2013 |date=1 May 2007 |publisher=International Business Publications |isbn=978-1-4330-6198-1 |page=77}}</ref>

The U.S. Army converted several thousand M14s into [[M21 Sniper Weapon System|M21]] [[sniper rifle]]s, which remained standard issue for this purpose until the adoption of the [[M24 Sniper Weapon System|M24 SWS]] in 1988.

In 1969, tooling for the M14 was sold to Taiwan, and many rifles were exported later to Baltic countries and Israel.<ref name="Tong">{{cite web |url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/m14.htm |title=US Rifle, cal. 7.62mm, M14 |last=Tong |first=David |website=Chuckhawks.com |access-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213094946/http://www.chuckhawks.com/m14.htm |archive-date=February 13, 2023 }}</ref><ref name="Light_Weapons">{{cite book |last1=Boutwell |first1=Jeffery |last2=Klare |first2=Michael T. |name-list-style=amp |title=Light Weapons and Civil Conflict: Controlling the Tools of Violence |date=1999 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=71 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nHdUItTL-hMC&q=M14+was+sold+to+Taiwan+and+later+many+rifles+were+exported+to+Baltic+countries+and+Israel&pg=PA71 |access-date=15 December 2019|isbn=978-0-84769-485-3}}</ref>

===Post-1970 U.S. military service===
[[File:Sniper rifle.jpg|thumb|right|An Army marksman in [[Fallujah]], Iraq, using an M14 with a [[Leupold & Stevens|Leupold]] LR/T 10×40 mm M3 scope]]

Although the M14 was phased out as the standard-issue rifle by 1970, M14 variants are still used by various branches of the U.S. military, as well as other armed forces, especially as a sniper rifle and as a [[designated marksman rifle]]&nbsp;(DMR), due to its accuracy and effectiveness at long range. In 1989, the Marine Corps began a program to upgrade their M14s into DMRs. The final product created by the Precision Weapons Section in [[Marine Corps Base Quantico]] was called the Marine Corps DMR and was intended for use by security teams ([[Special Reaction Team]] and [[Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team]] companies), and Marine [[scout sniper]]s in the cases where a [[semiautomatic rifle]] would be more appropriate than the standard bolt-action [[M40 rifle|M40A1/A3]] rifle. The USMC Rifle Team currently uses the M14 in shooting competitions.

[[File:M 14 prone flash suppressor bipod.jpg|thumb|right|A [[United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle|USMC designated marksman rifle]] in use]]
Some original-production M14s, not to be confused with [[M21 Sniper Weapon System|M21 rifles]], were in use by the Army until the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]] and [[Iraq War]]s, when they began to be employed as DMRs and sniper rifles. A 2009 study conducted by the Army claimed that half of the engagements in Afghanistan occurred from beyond {{convert|300|m|yd|sp=us}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a512331.pdf |title=Increasing Small Arms Lethality in Afghanistan: Taking Back the Infantry Half-Kilometer |last=Ehrhart |first=Thomas P. |date=2009 |website=U.S. Army |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305081939/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a512331.pdf |archive-date=2019-03-05}}</ref> American 5.56×45mm NATO service rifles were ineffective at these ranges, which prompted the reissue of thousands of M14s. Common modifications included scopes, fiberglass stocks, and other accessories.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/US-sniper-war-in-afghanistan/ |title=Sniper War in Afghanistan |website=American Rifleman |publisher=NRA |last=Plaster |first=John |date=18 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/conf_proceedings/CF162/CF162.appn.pdf |title=The Urban Area During Support Missions - Case Study: Mogadishu |last=Campbell |first=Scott D. |website=[[RAND Corporation]] |access-date=8 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910072013/http://www.rand.org/pubs/conf_proceedings/CF162/CF162.appn.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:US Navy 090107-N-3392P-065 Gunner's Mate Seaman James Clarke fires a shot line to the Military Sealift Command dry cargo-ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1).jpg|thumb|A [[gunner's mate]] using an M14 rifle to fire a shot line from the {{USS|Carter Hall|LSD-50|6}} to {{USNS|Lewis and Clark|T-AKE-1|6}}]]
The 1st Battalion of the [[3rd United States Infantry Regiment]] ("The Old Guard") in the [[Military District of Washington]] is the sole remaining regular U.S. Army combat field unit where the M14 is still issued as the standard rifle, along with a chromed bayonet and an extra wooden stock with a white sling for [[military funeral]]s, parades, and other ceremonies. The [[United States Air Force]] Honor Guard uses a version of the M14.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.honorguard.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100408-003.doc |title=AF Honor Guard Training Guide (5.2.1) |publisher=U.S. Air Force |access-date=8 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206095928/http://www.honorguard.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100408-003.doc |archive-date=6 February 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard and Base Honor Guards also use the M14 for [[three-volley salute]]s in military funerals. It is also the drill and parade rifle of the [[United States Military Academy]], [[United States Naval Academy]], [[United States Air Force Academy]], [[The Citadel (military college)|The Citadel]], [[Norwich University]], [[Virginia Military Institute]], and the [[University of North Georgia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.warboats.org/mst2Bremmer/Stoner_ord_notes/stonerhtml/Stoners_ord_notes.htm#seal |title=Ordnance Notes by Stoner – SEAL/MST Weapons Vietnam |website=Warboats.org |access-date=8 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416080823/http://www.warboats.org/mst2Bremmer/Stoner_ord_notes/stonerhtml/Stoners_ord_notes.htm#seal |archive-date=16 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> U.S. Navy ships carry several M14s in their armories. They are issued to sailors going on watch out on deck in port, and to [[Backup Alert Force|backup alert forces]]. The M14 is also used to shoot a large rubber projectile to another ship when underway to start the lines over for alongside refueling and replenishment.<ref>{{cite book |author=United States Bureau of Naval Personnel |title=Naval Airborne Ordnance |year=1965 |publisher=US Navy |location=Norfolk, VA |page=220}}</ref>

[[File:SEAL with M14.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A SEAL operator with an M14 rifle is participating in maritime interdiction enforcement during [[Operation Desert Storm]].]]
Various sniper variants have been used by the [[United States Navy SEALs]]. Often mistaken for the M21 in the overt literature, only one of them has received a standard name in the U.S. military designations system: the [[M25 Sniper Weapon System]], developed by the [[United States Army Special Forces|Special Forces]]. SEALs also use the [[Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle|Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle]] <!-- (EBR) --> for battle and in a designated marksman role. "[[Delta Force]]" units are known to have used M14 sniper variants. Eric L. Haney indicated in his memoir ''Inside Delta Force'' that every soldier going through the Operator Training Course trained on the M14.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Haney |first=Eric L. |title=Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit |publisher=Random House |year=2002 |isbn=0-440-23733-5 |location=New York |page=114}}</ref> According to ''[[Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War]]'', an account of the [[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)|Battle of Mogadishu]], Sergeant First Class [[Randy Shughart]] used an M14 for sniping from helicopters to provide support fire to ground troops.<ref>{{cite book |last=Willbanks |first=James H. |title=America's Heroes: Medal of Honor Recipients from the Civil War to Afghanistan |year=2011 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-393-4 |page=309}}</ref>

The [[United States Army Special Forces|U.S. Army Special Forces]] ("Green Berets") have made some use of the M25 "spotter rifle". The M25 was developed in the late 1980s within the [[10th Special Forces Group]], which was charged to support Special Forces sniper weapons and the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course (SOTIC). The M25 was first planned as a replacement for the old M21, but after the Army adoption of the [[M24 Sniper Weapon System|M24 SWS]] as its standard sniper rifle, the M25 was intended to be used by spotters of the sniper teams, while the snipers use the bolt-action M24.

The M14 has remained in service longer than any other U.S. infantry rifle, surpassing the [[M1903 Springfield rifle]], and holds the distinction of serving one of the shortest periods as the standard infantry service rifle of the U.S. Army, only second to the US [[Springfield Model 1892–99|Springfield Krag–Jørgensen]] rifles and carbines.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bishop |first=Chris |title=The vital guide to combat guns and infantry weapons |date=15 August 1996 |publisher=Airlife |isbn=978-1-85310-539-5 |page=55 |chapter=The M14 Battle Rifle}}</ref>

===International service===
[[File:ROCA Special Force Team Leader Photo wirh Young Boy 20120211.jpg|thumb|upright|ROCA Special Force Team Leader poses for a photo with a boy and a Type 57]]

The Philippines issues M14 rifles, M1/M2 carbines, M1 rifles, and M16 rifles, to their civilian defense forces and various cadet corps service academies. The [[Hellenic Navy]] uses the M14.

In 1967, the Springfield tooling and assembly line for M14 production was sold to the Republic of China, also known as [[Taiwan]]. In 1968, the State Arsenal of the Republic of China began producing the Type 57 rifle, and from 1969 to the present, produced over 1 million Type 57 rifles. The Type 57 is currently in service with airport guards and the reserves.

==Rifle design==

===Receiver markings===
Stamped into receiver heel:
* U.S. Rifle
* 7.62-MM M14
* Springfield Armory (or commercial contractor name)
* Serial number

===Stock===
[[File:M14 Rifle Left Side SPAR8715 FEB. 11. 2005.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|M14 with magazine]]

The M14 rifle was first furnished with a walnut stock, then with birch, and finally with a synthetic fiberglass stock due to the moisture in the humid jungle environments of rural Vietnam causing wood to swell. The stock was fitted with a hinged shoulder rest for improved user comfort when firing from a prone position.<ref name="FM23-8_U.S._Rifle">{{cite book |url=http://www.cgsc.edu/carl/docrepository/fm23_8_1965.pdf |title=U.S. RIFLE, 7.62MM, M14 AND M14E2 Field Manual |date=May 1965 |publisher=Department of the Army |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420004223/http://www.cgsc.edu/carl/docrepository/fm23_8_1965.pdf |archive-date=20 April 2014}}</ref> Original-equipment walnut and birch stocks carry the Department of Defense acceptance stamp or cartouche, consisting of an arc of three stars above a spread-winged eagle. After successful test firing, a proof stamp was also applied to these stocks consisting of a letter "P" within a circle.

Rifles manufactured through late 1960 were provided with walnut handguards. Synthetic, slot-ventilated handguards were produced, but proved to be too fragile for military use. These were replaced by a solid synthetic handguard that is still in use, usually colored in dark brown, black, or a camouflage pattern.

===Rifling===
Standard M14 rifling has a right-hand 1:12-inch [[Twist rate|twist]] with 4 grooves.

===Accessories===
Although M14 rifle production ended in 1964, the limited standard status of the weapon resulted in the continued manufacture of accessories and spare parts into the late 1960s and beyond.
* [[M6 bayonet]] with M8A1 sheath
* M2 [[Bandolier|Bandoleer]] (has six pockets, each containing two 5-round Mauser-type clips for a total of 60 rounds, and a pouch for a magazine filler. The sling was adjustable and was held in place with a matte-black steel [[safety pin]]). Standard operating procedure was for the operator to use up the ammunition in the bandoleers before using the loaded magazines in the ammo pouches. The seam stitching of each pocket could be ripped out to allow the bandoleer to carry six loaded 20-round magazines.
* Sling: The service rifle used a one-piece cotton or nylon webbing sling, and the competition and sniping variants use the standard M1907 two-piece leather sling.
* Cleaning kit, contained in the stock's butt-trap, included a combination tool, ratchet chamber brush, plastic lubricant case, brass bore brush, four cleaning rod sections, cleaning rod case, and a cleaning rod patch-holding tip.
* M5 winter trigger and winter safety
* M12 blank firing attachment and M3 breech shield
* Cartridge charger clip (holds five cartridges)
* Magazine filler (or "spoon") for charging detached magazines externally: The M14 has a groove over the action that allows the operator to place a loaded clip and top off the attached magazine internally through the open action.
* M1956 Universal Small Arms Ammunition Pouch, First Pattern could hold two 20-round M14 magazines horizontally.
* M1956 Universal Small Arms Ammunition Pouch, Second Pattern could hold three 20-round M14 magazines vertically.
* M1961 ammunition magazine pouch could carry one 20-round M14 magazine. The bottom of the pouch contained eyelets for attaching a first aid pouch or three-cell (six pockets) grenade carrier that could be tied down around the thigh.
* M2 bipod
* M76 rifle grenade launcher
* M15 grenade launcher sight
* Mk 87 Mod 0/1 line throwing kit

===Types of sights===
* Rear peep, front blade, metric
* Rear National Match peep with hood, front National Match blade, metric
* Front sights located on the muzzle

==Variants and related designs==

===Military===

====M15====
The '''M15 Squad Automatic Weapon''' was a modified M14 developed as a replacement for the [[M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle]] for use as a [[squad automatic weapon]]. As with the M14, the M15 was chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO, a lighter cartridge than the BAR's chambering of [[.30-06]]. It featured a heavier [[Gun barrel|barrel]] and [[Stock (firearms)|stock]], two pistol grips (one fixed, one folding), a hinged butt plate, a selector switch for [[Automatic firearm|fully automatic]] fire, a [[bipod]], and used the standard BAR sling.

Firing tests showed that the M14, when equipped with the selector switch, hinged butt plate and bipod, performed as well as the M15. As a result, the M15 was dropped and the modified M14 became the squad automatic weapon. Accuracy and control problems with this variant led to the addition of a [[pistol grip]], a folding rubber-covered metal [[foregrip]] and a muzzle stabilizer. Despite these modifications, it remained a poor suppressive fire weapon owing to its 20-round magazines and a tendency to rapidly overheat.

====M14E1====
The M14E1 was tested with a variety of folding stocks to provide better maneuverability for armored infantry, paratroopers and others. No variant was standardized.

====M14E2/M14A1====
Selective fire version of the standard M14 used as a squad automatic weapon. Successor to the full-automatic M14 with a bipod and the never-issued M15. The developmental model was known as the M14E2. The model concept was developed by the United States Army Infantry School. The variant was known as the M14 (USAIB), after the initialism for "United States Army Infantry Board". The variant was issued in 1963 and redesignated as M14A1 in 1966.

It had a full pistol-gripped in-line stock to control recoil, a plastic upper forend to save weight, a muzzle compensator, the BAR sling, an M2 bipod, a folding metal vertical foregrip mounted under the forend of the stock, and a rubber recoil shoulder pad under the hinged butt plate. Although an improvement over the M14 when in full-auto, it was still difficult to control, overheated rapidly, and the 20-round magazine limited its ability to deliver suppressive fire.

====M14M (Modified)/M14NM (National Match)====
The M14M is a semi-automatic only version of the standard M14 that was developed for use in civilian rifle marksmanship activities such as the [[Civilian Marksmanship Program]]. M14M rifles were converted from existing M14 rifles by welding the select-fire mechanism to prevent full-automatic firing. The M14NM (National Match) is an M14M rifle built to National Match accuracy standards.

The M14M and M14NM rifles are described in a now-obsolete Army regulation, AR 920–25, "Rifles, M14M and M14NM, For Civilian Marksmanship Use", 8 February 1965. Paragraph 2 stated that the Director of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Division, [[Internal Revenue Service]], [[United States Department of the Treasury|Department of the Treasury]] (predecessor to the [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives]]) had ruled that M14M and M14NM rifles so modified would not be subject to the 1934 [[National Firearms Act]] (NFA) and, as such, could be sold or issued to civilians. Three years later, with the passage of the [[Gun Control Act of 1968]], the NFA was amended to prohibit the sale of previously modified automatic weapons such as the M14M and M14NM to civilians.

====M14 SMUD====
''Stand-off Munition Disruption'', used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel to destroy unexploded ordnance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guns.com/news/2022/01/27/navy-eod-pulling-down-solid-m14-esthetic |title=Navy EOD Pulling Down Solid M14 Esthetic |last=Eger |first=Chris |date=January 27, 2022 |website=Guns.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213161605/https://www.guns.com/news/2022/01/27/navy-eod-pulling-down-solid-m14-esthetic |archive-date=2022-02-13}}</ref> Essentially an M14 National Match rifle with a [[Telescopic sight|scope]].

====Mk 14 EBR====
{{Main|Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle}}
[[File:CSA-2006-10-17-093634.jpg|thumb|right|A soldier using a [[Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle|Mk 14 EBR-RI]], equipped with a Sage M14ALCS chassis stock, provides [[Overwatch (military tactic)|overwatch]] security in Iraq, 2006.]]

The Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle is a more tactical version of the M14, with a Sage International EBR chassis, adapting multiple rails for more accessories.

====M14 Tactical====
Modified M14 using the same stock as the Mk 14 but with a 22-inch barrel and a Smith Enterprise muzzle brake, used by the [[United States Coast Guard]].

====M14 Designated Marksman Rifle====
{{Main|United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle}}
[[Designated marksman rifle]] (DMR) version of the M14, used by the United States Marine Corps; replaced by the [[M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle]].

====M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle====
{{Main|M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle}}
Modified M14 DMR fitted with the same stock as Mk 14, used by the United States Marine Corps; being replaced by the [[M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/03/marine-corps-sniper-rifle-m110-031711w/ |title=Corps fielding new semi-automatic sniper rifle |last=Lamothe |first=Dan |date=March 17, 2011 |newspaper=[[Marine Corps Times]] |access-date=18 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714034725/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/03/marine-corps-sniper-rifle-m110-031711w/ |archive-date=14 July 2011}}</ref>

====M89SR Model 89 Sniper Rifle====
{{Main|M89SR}}
The M89SR is an M14 in [[bullpup]] configuration first introduced by Sardius in the 1980s. Later produced by Technical Equipment International (TEI) for the [[Israel Defense Forces]].{{cn|date=November 2024}}

====AWC G2A Sniper Rifle====
The AWC G2A is a modified M14 with bullpup stock designed by Lynn McWilliams and Gale McMillian in the late 1990s. Produced and delivered for testing at the [[Fort Bragg (North Carolina)|Fort Bragg]] sniper school. They consist of the G2, G2A and G2FA models.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pewpewpew.work/usa/r/m14/bullpup.htm |title=无托结构的M14 |trans-title=M14 bullpup |language=zh |website=pewpewpew.work |access-date=29 July 2024}}{{rs|date=November 2024}}</ref>

====M21 and M25 sniper rifles====
The [[M21 Sniper Weapon System|M21]] and [[M25 sniper rifle|M25]] are accurized sniper models of the M14, assembled with more care and precision than is standard.

====GA SOCOM-16 M14 Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) ====
Refurbished and upgraded M14 rifle by Philippines' [[Government Arsenal]] GA SOCOM-16 model, very similar to the Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM 16 rifle. Uses a 16" barrel specified for Special Operations Command units' requirement, as compared to standard M14 which uses the original 22" barrel, and EBR which uses an 18" barrel.<ref>{{Cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923173943/http://www.arsenal.mil.ph/images/bulletjune2015issue.pdf | url=http://www.arsenal.mil.ph/images/bulletjune2015issue.pdf | archive-date=2015-09-23 | title=Government arsenal defense industrial estate}}</ref>

===Commercial production===

====Federal Ordnance====
[[File:CBP M14.jpg|thumb|right|upright|A [[U.S. Border Patrol]] Agent with M14 during a law enforcement memorial service]]

From 1984 to 1991, Federal Ordnance of South El Monte, California, sold a semi-automatic version of the M14 rifle. Initially named the ''M14'' or ''M14A'', the rifle used an aftermarket semi-automatic receiver fitted with surplus USGI M14 parts. All receivers were machined from castings of AISI 8620 alloy steel. Except for the first 50 receivers, the castings were supplied by Electro Crisol Metal, S.A., of Santander, Spain, then imported to the US for heat treatment, finish machining, and exterior phosphate treatment. M14 and M14A receivers were heat-treated using the carburizing process by a firm in Santa Ana, California, followed by finish machining on a CNC machine at Federal Ordnance in South El Monte.

Federal Ordnance M14 and M14A receivers were heat-treated and carburized according to USGI M14 requirements. Each completed production rifle was proof fired, then tested for functioning by firing three rounds. USGI parts and bolts were used extensively in Federal Ordnance rifles through at least serial number 88XX. In 1989, Federal Ordnance renamed the rifle the ''M14SA'' and ''M14CSA''. Rifles in the 93XX serial range and higher have modified receivers designed to accept Chinese-made bolts, barrels, and other parts owing to a shortage of original USGI components. About 51,000 complete Federal Ordnance M14 rifles and 60,000 or more receivers were manufactured before production was halted in late 1991.<ref name="Lee_Emerson"/>

====Norinco====
[[File:Norinco-M305.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Norinco M14s Custom with a Bushnell red dot sight]]

[[Norinco]] manufactures versions of the M14 rifle known as the M14S (Sporter)<ref name="M14S">{{cite web |url=http://www.norincoequipment.cn/detail_product_English.jsp?productid=86&cssid=1 |title=Norinco M14S |date=2004 |website=Norinco Equipment |access-date=3 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928060947/http://www.norincoequipment.cn/detail_product_English.jsp?productid=86&cssid=1 |archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="Lee_Emerson"/> and the M305.<ref name="M305">{{cite web |url=http://www.norincoequipment.cn/detail_product_English.jsp?productid=87&cssid=1 |title=Norinco M305 |website=Norinco Equipment |access-date=3 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928060812/http://www.norincoequipment.cn/detail_product_English.jsp?productid=87&cssid=1 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }}</ref> Chinese copies of the select-fire and semi-automatic versions of the M14 were also made by Norinco, supposedly from M14s captured in the Vietnam War from American/allied troops.<ref name="Lee_Emerson"/>

The two versions of the M305 are M305A/B, one with the same barrel as the regular M14 and one with a short barrel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guns.com/2017/08/03/canada-that-place-where-you-can-get-400-norinco-m14s-video/ |title=Canada: That place where you can get $400 Norinco M14s (VIDEO) |date=3 August 2017 |website=Guns.com |access-date=4 October 2017 |archive-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621232425/http://www.guns.com/2017/08/03/canada-that-place-where-you-can-get-400-norinco-m14s-video/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Walker2012">{{cite book |last=Walker |first=Robert E. |title=Cartridges and Firearm Identification |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SJYjP_tJ9_wC&pg=PA278 |date=26 November 2012 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-4665-0206-2 |page=278 |access-date=6 September 2013}}</ref> The M305A is an M14 chambered to fire 7.62x39 ammo.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forgottenweapons.com/communist-heresy-norincos-m305a-m14-in-7-62x39mm/ |title=Communist Heresy: Norinco's M305A M14 in 7.62x39mm |date=22 September 2017 |website=[[Forgotten Weapons]]}}</ref> and the M305B is an M14 with an 18.5-inch barrel and chambered to fire in 7.62 NATO caliber.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxlfENKINMQ |title=M14 Norinco M305b Review |author=Civil Advantage |date=27 June 2012 |website=YouTube |format=Video}} Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/IxlfENKINMQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200305064741/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxlfENKINMQ&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}</ref>

These rifles were banned from U.S. importation in 1994 due to a ban under the [[Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nraila.org/articles/20040121/the-1994-clinton-crime-bills-firearm-p |title=The 1994 Clinton Crime Bill's Firearm Provisions |date=January 21, 2004 |website=National Rifle Association - Institute for Legislative Action |access-date=2021-03-12 |language=en}}</ref> They were commonly sold and were popular in Canada for hunting and target shooting until they were reclassified as prohibited firearms on May 1, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-01 |title=Regulations Amending the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited, Restricted or Non-Restricted: SOR/2020-96 |url=https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2020/2020-05-01-x3/html/sor-dors96-eng.html |access-date=2021-04-25 |website=Government of Canada}}</ref>

Production of these M14s were contracted out to Yunnan Xiyi Industry Company Limited or State Arsenal 356 from the rifles to the 7.62&nbsp;mm NATO magazines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2006-10-17/0731404883.html |title=图文：国产外销型5发与20发容量弹匣_新浪军事_新浪网 |trans-title=Photo: Domestic export 5 and 20 round capacity magazines |website=SINA Corporation |language=zh |date=17 October 2006 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213095525/http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2006-10-17/0731404883.html |archive-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2006-10-17/0729404874.html |title=图文：国产外贸型M305 7.62mm半自动步枪_新浪军事_新浪网 |trans-title=Photo: Domestic foreign trade M305 7.62mm semi-automatic rifle |website=SINA Corporation |language=zh |date=17 October 2006 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213095525/http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2006-10-17/0729404874.html |archive-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref>

====Poly Technologies ("Polytech")====
[[Poly Technologies]] also produced an unlicensed version of the M14 rifle known as the M14/S.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gun-tests.com/rifles/rifles308/a-trio-of-m14s-springfield-fulton-armory-polytech-custom-2/ |title=A Trio of M14s: Springfield, Fulton Armory, Polytech Custom |date=15 November 2010 |website=Gun-tests.com |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> They were made in semi-auto mode only.<ref name="Lee_Emerson"/> As with the Norinco rifles, manufacture was subcontracted to State Arsenal 356.<ref name="ThisOldGun">{{cite web |last=Knupp |first=Jeremiah |title=This Old Gun: Poly Technologies M-14/S |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/this-old-gun-poly-technologies-m-14-s/ |date=2022-02-01 |work=American Rifleman |publisher=National Rifle Association |access-date=2022-06-12}}</ref>

All Polytech rifles were banned in the [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban#Provisions|1989 firearm importation ban]] by the President George H.W. Bush administration.<ref name="ThisOldGun"/>

====Smith Enterprise, Inc.====
[[File:USBP snow M14 2017.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|A U.S. Border Patrol agent with an M14 rifle on the [[Canada–United States border|Canadian border]] in 2017]]
[[Smith Enterprise Inc.]] was founded as Western Ordnance in 1979 by Richard Smith in [[Mesa, Arizona]], and the company made numerous types of rifles, but specialized in the [[M1 Garand]] and M14.<ref name=Thompson>{{cite book |title=The Classic M1 Garand: An Ongoing Legacy For Shooters And Collectors |last=Thompson |first=Jim |page=16 |publisher=[[Paladin Press]] |location=Boulder, Colorado |isbn=978-1-58160-260-9 |year=2001}}</ref> In 1993, Western Ordnance reformed as Smith Enterprise and has built and rebuilt numerous M14 rifles for the US military and the militaries of Colombia, Canada, and other nations.<ref name=Janes/><ref name=poyer21>{{cite book |title=The M14-Type Rifles: A Shooter's and Collector's Guide |edition=3rd |last=Poyer |first=Joe |publisher=North Cape Publications Inc |date=8 November 2006 |isbn=978-1-88239-142-4 |location=Tustin, California |page=21}}</ref>

The U.S. Department of Defense contracted with Smith Enterprise to build and modify M14 rifles for use by soldiers, marines, and sailors in Iraq and Afghanistan.<ref name=poyer37>Poyer (2006), pp. 37–38.</ref>{{Full citation needed |date=April 2021}} Smith Enterprise played a major part in the M14 rifle modernization projects for various US military units, which resulted in the development of the U.S. Navy Mark 14 enhanced battle rifle (EBR).<ref name=Janes>{{cite journal |last=Cutshaw |first=Charles Q. |title=New-era M14 alleviates reliability issues |journal=Jane's International Defence Review |volume=39 |year=2006 |page=87 |issn=0020-6512}}</ref><ref name=Peterson2010>{{cite book |last=Peterson |first=Phillip |title=Gun Digest Buyer's Guide to Tactical Rifles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jp-4n02a0QQC&pg=PA75 |access-date=2 April 2013 |date=30 November 2010 |publisher=Gun Digest Books |location=Iola, Wisconsin |isbn=978-1-4402-1793-7 |page=75}}</ref><ref name=Peterson2011>{{cite book |last=Peterson |first=Phillip |title=Gun Digest Buyer's Guide to Assault Weapons |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fd9Qc0neMjYC&pg=PA118 |access-date=2 April 2013 |date=28 February 2011 |publisher=F&W Media |location=Iola Wisconsin |isbn=978-1-4402-2672-4 |page=118}}</ref> The company's history included originally making forged receivers for M14 rifles and briefly switching to investment casting.<ref name=Thompson/> Smith stopped making receivers for a few years, but re-entered the market with receivers machined from bar stock in 2002.<ref name=Janes/>

In 2003, Smith Enterprise Inc. created its version of the M14 EBR known as the Mk14 Mod 0, type SEI. The rifle used a medium heavy-weight 18-inch barrel and was used as a basis to create the US Navy's Mark 14 Mod 0, with Springfield Armory, Inc. being asked to supply the necessary machinery in cooperation with the [[Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division]].<ref name=Janes/> SEI builds an improved M14 gas cylinder as a component of their specialized rifles and for the military to upgrade older rifles. The gas cylinder is assigned the NATO stock number: NSN 1005-00-790-8766.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armyproperty.com/nsn/1005-00-790-8766 |title=NSN 1005-00-790-8766: rifle gas cylinder |website=Army Property.com |access-date=29 April 2013}}</ref>

====Springfield Armory, Inc.====
[[Springfield Armory, Inc.]] of [[Geneseo, Illinois]], produces a [[semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] only version of the M14 known as the [[Springfield Armory M1A|M1A]].<ref name=Shoot_Illus_M1A>{{Cite web |url=https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/review-springfield-armory-m1a-standard-issue-rifle/ |title=Review: Springfield Armory M1A Standard Issue Rifle |website=Shooting Illustrated |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> The company produces several variations of the basic rifle with different stocks, barrel weights, barrel lengths, and other optional features. The Springfield M1A and its model variants have been widely distributed in the U.S. civilian market and have seen use by various law-enforcement agencies in the U.S.<ref name=Shoot_Illus_M1A/>

Springfield Armory, Inc. also produces the SOCOM series<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thearmorylife.com/springfield-armory-socom-16-rifle-round-up/ |title=Springfield Armory SOCOM 16 Rifle Round-Up |date=31 May 2023 |website=The Armory Life |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> and the Scout Squad Rifle,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thearmorylife.com/m1a-scout-squad-worth-the-hype/ |title=M1A Scout Squad — Worth the Hype? |first=Eric |last=Perez |date=23 August 2020 |website=The Armory Life |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> based on the short-barreled version of the M14. The SOCOM 16 comes with provisions to mount a red dot sight<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/springfield-armory-m1a-socom-16-kickin-it-old-school-sorta/ |title=Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM 16 — Kickin' it Old School (sorta) |website=Gun Mag Warehouse.com |date=July 23, 2021 |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> and the SOCOM II adds railed handguards to the package.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/springfield-armory-s-socom-ii-a-look-back/ |title=Springfield Armory's SOCOM II: A Look Back |last=Adams |first=Chad |date=July 31, 2022 |website=American Rifleman |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:M-14 rifle demonstration.jpeg|A U.S. soldier demonstrates shooting an M14 rifle to [[Iraqi Police|Iraqi Highway Patrol (IHP)]] police officers during training in Iraq, 2006.
File:Lake thar thar-thumb.jpg|Members of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, enter the reeds on the edge of [[Lake Tharthar]] in Iraq to conduct cordon and search operations July 15, 2007.
File:Soldiers patrol Waygul Valley 2009.jpg|A U.S. soldier scans for activity during a combat patrol in Afghanistan, 2009.
File:Army M14 Sage Stock.jpg|A soldier with an M14 equipped with a Sage M14ALCS chassis stock.
File:US Navy SEALs with laser designator closeup.jpg|Two Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) team members, one equipped with an AN/PAQ-1 laser target designator, right, the other armed with an M14 rifle, assume a defensive position
File:Tet1968.jpg|Battle of Hamo Village During the Tet Offensive. US Marines and ARVN troops defend a position against enemy attack. Photo taken circa January 1968.
File:Nigerian soldiers during Gulf War 2.jpg|Soldiers in a Niger army unit stand in formation while a dignitary visits their outpost during Operation Desert Shield. The men are armed with M14 rifles.
</gallery>

==Conflicts==
The M14 rifle has been used in the following conflicts:
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* [[Vietnam War]]<ref name="Tong"/>
* [[Dominican Civil War]]<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,898727,00.html |title=Dominican Republic: The Coup That Became a War |magazine=TIME |date=1965-05-07 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230317033409/https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,898727,00.html |archive-date=March 17, 2023 }}</ref>
* [[Lebanese Civil War]]
* [[Communist rebellion in the Philippines]]<ref name="Filipino">{{cite thesis |title=The Filipino Way of War: Irregular Warfare through the Centuries |first1=Fernando M. |last1=Reyeg |first2=Ned B. |last2=Marsh |date=December 2011 |type=Master Thesis |publisher=[[Naval Postgraduate School]] |hdl=10945/10681 |pages=106, 144 |url=https://calhoun.nps.edu/handle/10945/10681 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213100752/https://calhoun.nps.edu/handle/10945/10681 |archive-date=February 13, 2023|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Philippines"/>
* [[Moro conflict]]<ref name="Filipino"/><ref name="Philippines">{{cite book |chapter=Captured and Counted: Illicit Weapons in Mexico and the Philippines |chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2013/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2013-Chapter-12-EN.pdf |title=Small Arms Survey 2013: Everyday Dangers |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2013.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824225557/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2013.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 24, 2013 |date=2013 |first=Matt |last=Schroeder |isbn=978-1-107-04196-7 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |page=303}}</ref>
* [[Ogaden War]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1977/05/24/somalis-said-to-hold-most-of-ethiopias-ogaden-region/ed8c1f42-1a13-48ab-815c-ef8fa73d886d/ |title=Somalis Said to Hold Most of Ethiopia's Ogaden Region |first=David B. |last=Ottaway |date=May 24, 1977 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213100027/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1977/05/24/somalis-said-to-hold-most-of-ethiopias-ogaden-region/ed8c1f42-1a13-48ab-815c-ef8fa73d886d/ |archive-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Sino-Vietnamese War]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.fx361.com/news/2014/0923/3130795.html |title=浴火重生——对越自卫反击战对我国轻武器发展的影响 |trans-title=Rebirth from the Ashes: The Impact of the Self-Defense Counterattack against Vietnam on the Development of our country's Light Weapons |language=zh |date=23 September 2014 |magazine=轻兵器 (Light Weapons) |issue=13 |access-date=11 November 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213100317/https://m.fx361.com/news/2014/0923/3130795.html |archive-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Falklands War]]
* [[Salvadoran Civil War]]
* [[Soviet–Afghan War]]
* [[2004 Haitian coup d'état]]<ref name="Lee_Emerson"/>
* [[Syrian Civil War]]
* [[Iraq War]]
* [[War in Afghanistan]]
* [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
}}

==Users==
[[File:M14 Rifle Users.png|thumb|upright=1.25|A map with M14 rifle users in blue]]<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you. -->

* {{flag|Argentina}}: Used by Argentine soldiers of C Company, Regimento (Especial) de Infanteria 25 in the [[Falklands War]] at the [[Battle of Goose Green]] and [[San Carlos, Falkland Islands|San Carlos]].<ref name="Lee_Emerson">{{cite book |url=http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerdog/generalstorage/m14tecnicalfolder/M14%20RHAD%20Text%20Only%20Edition%20090425.pdf |title=M14 Rifle History and Development |last=Emerson |first=Lee |date=3 June 2007 |access-date=14 December 2019 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213095151/http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerdog/generalstorage/m14tecnicalfolder/M14%20RHAD%20Text%20Only%20Edition%20090425.pdf |archive-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref>
* {{CAF}}: Self-defense units<ref name ='SAS 2005'>{{cite book |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2005.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109192749/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2005.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2010|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2005/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2005-Chapter-11-EN.pdf |chapter=The Central African Republic: A Case Study of Small Arms and Conflict |title=Small Arms Survey 2005: Weapons at War |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2005 |page=309 |isbn=978-0-19-928085-8}}</ref>
[[File:A Colombian Marine armed with an M14 rifle participates in the joint US and Colombian counterinsurgency Exercise FUERZAS UNITAS 85 DF-ST-86-11948.jpg|thumb|A Colombian Marine armed with an M14 rifle participates in the joint US and Colombian counter insurgency exercise.]]
* {{flag|Colombia}}<ref name="Jones"/>
* {{flag|Costa Rica}}<ref name="Jones"/>
* {{flag|Dominican Republic}}<ref name="Jones"/>
* {{flag|Ecuador}}<ref name="Jones"/>
* {{flag|El Salvador}}<ref name="Jones"/>
* {{flag|Eritrea}}<ref name="Jones"/>
* {{flag|Estonia}}: 40 500 rifles donated by USA in 1998.<ref name="M14">{{cite web|title=M14 Rifle History and Development |url=http://miamirifle-pistol.org/wp-content/uploads/M14-RHAD-Text-Only-Edition-100815.pdf|author=Emerson, Lee|accessdate=2019-05-09|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222003645/http://miamirifle-pistol.org/wp-content/uploads/M14-RHAD-Text-Only-Edition-100815.pdf|archive-date=2019-02-22|url-status=live}}</ref> Adopted by Estonian military as marksman's rifle, modified by [[E-Arsenal]] called the ''Täpsuspüss M14-TP'' (Precision Rifle M14-PR), with heavy barrel, bipod, synthetic stock, and optical 4× sight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.ee/?menu=tehnika1&sisu=tapsuspuss |title=Tehnika - Täpsuspüss M14-TP |trans-title=Technique - Precision rifle M14-TP |website=[[Estonian Defense Forces]] |language=et |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124100422/http://www.mil.ee/?menu=tehnika1&sisu=tapsuspuss |archive-date=2008-01-24}}</ref> The ''M14-TP 2'' was used by Estonian troops in Afghanistan with the M14-TP.<ref name="ABM14">{{cite web |url=https://armourersbench.com/2022/06/12/m14s-in-ukraine/ |date=2022-06-12 |title=M14s in Ukraine |website=The Armourers Bench |language=en |access-date=2022-07-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.kaitseliit.ee/files/kaitseliit/img/files/KK2008-1.pdf |title=M14 uus tulemine täpsuspüssina |trans-title=The arrival of the new M14 as a sniper rifle |language=et |date=2008 |journal=Kaitse Kodu! |number=1 |pages=31–33 |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> The M14 is also used as Estonia's ceremonial rifle.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mil.ee/kaitsevagi/tehnika/relvad/#t-762-mm-poolautomaatne-vintpuss-m-14 |title=7,62 mm poolautomaatne vintpüss M-14 |website=Estonian Defence Forces |language=et |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref> 35,000 M14s were donated to Ukraine in the spring 2022.<ref>{{ cite web |first1=Stijn |last1=Mitzer |first2=Joost |last2=Oliemans |title=Tallinn's Tally: Estonia's Weapons Supplies To Ukraine |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/06/tallinns-tally-estonias-weapons.html |website=[[Oryx (website)|Oryx]] |date=8 June 2023 |accessdate=10 September 2024 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Ethiopia}}<ref name="Jones"/>
* {{flag|Greece}}{{sfn|Thompson|2014|p=61}}
* {{flag|Haiti}}: Used by Haitian security forces in the [[2004 Haitian coup d'état]].<ref name="Lee_Emerson"/>
* {{flag|Honduras}}<ref name="Jones"/>
* {{flag|Indonesia}}: Most are retired from the Armed forces, currently still being used by [[Mobile Brigade Corps|BRIMOB]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beritasatu.com/nasional/80337/polri-terjunkan-brimob-gerilya-anti-gerilya-untuk-buru-teroris |title=Polri Terjunkan Brimob Gerilya Anti Gerilya untuk Buru Teroris |trans-title=Police Deploy BRIMOB Anti-Guerrilla Team to Hunt Terrorists |date=30 October 2012 |website=beritasatu.com |access-date=9 April 2021 |language=id}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.antarafoto.com/asian-games-2018/v1375278620/kesiapan-anggota-sniper |title=Kesiapan Anggota Sniper |website=Antarafoto.com |date=31 July 2018 |access-date=9 April 2021 |language=id}}</ref>
* {{flag|Iraq}}: Used by Iraqi special forces under Counter-Terrorism Service control.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comptroller.war.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2018/fy2018_CTEF_J-Book_Final_Embargoed.pdf |title=Budget Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 |author=Office of The Secretary of Defense |date=May 2017 |website=Department of Defense}}</ref>
* {{flag|Israel}}: Used as sniper rifle with eventual conversion and production as [[M89SR]].<ref name="Lee_Emerson"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn66-e.htm |title=TCI/TEI M89SR sniper rifle (Israel) |website=Modern Firearms |access-date=24 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914060935/http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn66-e.htm |archive-date=14 September 2008}}</ref> Israeli M14s were modified with full auto disabled and the buttstock modified to have a built-in cheek piece.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://isayeret.com/content/weapons/sws/m14/article.shtml |title=Springfield Armory M14 |website=The Israeli Special Forces Database |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
* {{flag|Latvia}}: Unknown number provided by the U.S. in the 1990s under military assistance program.<ref name='Modern Firearms M14'/>
* {{flag|Lebanon}}: Used by the [[Tigers Militia]] and the [[Zgharta Liberation Army]] as a battle rifle, and by the [[Lebanese Forces (militia)|Lebanese Forces militia]] as a sniper rifle in the [[Lebanese Civil War]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Huon |first=Jean |title=Un Siècle d'Armement Mondial, Armes A Feu d'Infanterie de Petit Calibre, Tome 2 |trans-title=A Century of World Armament: Small Caliber Infantry Firearms, Volume 2 |language=fr |date=1977 |publisher=Crépin-Leblond}}</ref>
* {{flag|Lithuania}}: [[Lithuanian Armed Forces]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/automatiniai_sautuvai/automatinis_sautuvas_m-14.html |title=Automatic Rifle M-14 |website=Lithuanian Army |date=17 April 2009 |access-date=27 September 2011 |language=lt |archive-date=25 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625201936/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/automatiniai_sautuvai/automatinis_sautuvas_m-14.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Most Lithuanian M14s upgraded to M14 L1 as a DMR while others were upgraded to the M14 MDV and M14 EBR SOP standard for use by Lithuanian commandos.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/lithuania-orders-m14-accessories/ |title=Lithuania orders M14 accessories |date=26 July 2021 |website=Shephard Media |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref>
* {{flag|Morocco}}{{sfn|Thompson|2014|p=61}}
* {{flag|Niger}}<ref name="Jones">{{cite book |editor1-last=Jones |editor1-first=Richard |editor2-last=Ness |editor2-first=Leland S. |name-list-style=amp |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009–2010 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-71062-869-5 |pages=893–901}}</ref>
* {{flag|Philippines}}: 104,000 used within the Armed Forces of the Philippines{{sfn|Thompson|2014|p=61}} with most decommissioned.<ref name="Jones"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://marinecorps.mil.ph/c6_sniperdev.html |title=Scout Sniper Development - "An accurate shot to the future" |first=Jonathan C. |last=Martir |date=November 2001 |website=Philippine Marine Corps |access-date=2013-06-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306133108/http://marinecorps.mil.ph/c6_sniperdev.html |archive-date=2012-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://arsenal.mil.ph/profdir.html |title=The incumbent Director of Government Arsenal |date=29 March 2015 |website=[[Government Arsenal]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329200649/http://arsenal.mil.ph/profdir.html |archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>
* {{flag|South Korea}}: Unknown number provided by the U.S. in the 1990s under military assistance program.<ref name='Modern Firearms M14'>{{cite web |url=http://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/u-s-a-assault-rifles/m14-eng/ |title=M14 rifle |first=Maxim |last=Popenker |website=Modern Firearms |date=10 November 2010}}</ref> Most of the M14s were scrapped and small numbers are used for ceremonial duties.<ref name="American_Rifleman">{{cite news |last=Canfield |first=Bruce |title=The M14 Rifle: John Garand's Final Legacy |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2016/4/28/the-m14-rifle-john-garand-s-final-legacy/ |access-date=14 December 2019 |work=American Rifleman |publisher=National Rifle Association |date=28 April 2016 |quote=The vast majority of the government's M14 rifles, some in brand-new, unissued condition, were destroyed by the late 1960s or early 1970s.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/gallery/view.html?b_bbs_id=10044&num=111149 |title=UN연합사 의장대는 M14 (The UN coalition guard used the M14) |date=13 September 2008 |website=BEMIL사진자료실 |access-date=24 September 2008 |language=ko |archive-date=December 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201080435/http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/gallery/view.html?b_bbs_id=10044&num=111149 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:T57 Sniper Rifle and T91 Rifles on Ground 20120211.jpg|thumb|Type 57 sniper rifle, Taiwanese M14 authorized production model]]
* {{TWN-ROC}}: Made under license as the ''Type 57''.<ref name="Lee_Emerson"/>
* {{flag|Tunisia}}<ref name="Jones"/>
* {{flag|Turkey}}: Unknown number provided by the U.S. in the 1990s under military assistance program. Still in use with ship personnel of the Turkish Navy.<ref name='Modern Firearms M14'/>
* {{Flag|Ukraine}}: Unknown number of M14 (or [[M21 Sniper Weapon System|M21]]) have been spotted during the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] used by [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|Territorial Defence]].<ref name="ABM14"/><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1533898503616962564 |user=GeneralStaffUA |script-title=uk:Ні дня без тренувань! А все для того, щоб гнати ворога з нашої землі, щоб жоден кат не пройшов повз нас. Саме воїни окремого батальйону Сил територіальної оборони Вінниччини постійно нарощують м'язи та підсилюють витривалість задля нашої спільної Перемоги |date=6 June 2022 |language=uk}}</ref>
* {{flag|United States}}: Uses the ''[[M14SE]]'', manufactured by Smith Enterprise Inc., in [[designated marksman|SDM]] roles and has purchased M14s from other manufacturers.<ref name="SE">{{cite web |url=http://www.smithenterprise.com/products02.html |title=M14SE Crazy Horse and MK14 SEI Rifles |website=Smith Enterprise |access-date=27 September 2011 |archive-date=2 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051102040130/http://www.smithenterprise.com/products02.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Also uses the [[Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle|Mk 14]] as well as M14s custom built or modified in military armories, such as the [[M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle]]. The M14 is issued to crew members on [[Military Sealift Command]] vessels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.professionalmariner.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=C669DF9695CB4B1CBBBBF5466264BAC1 |title=Mariners need to be able to defend themselves against pirates |last=Sweeney |first=Kelly |website=Professional Mariner |date=October–November 2008 |access-date=26 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401070055/http://www.professionalmariner.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=C669DF9695CB4B1CBBBBF5466264BAC1 |archive-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> The rifle is also used by the [[United States Border Patrol|U.S. Border Patrol]] and by the Park Rangers of [[National Park Service|U.S. National Park Service]].<ref name="PARKRanger">{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/fighting-drugs-border-violence-arizona-organ-pipe-cactus-132342614.html |title=Fighting drugs and border violence at Arizona's Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: What about the ranger's M14 rifle, Yogi? |access-date=28 February 2012 |last=Goodwin |first=Liz |date=28 February 2012 |website=Yahoo! News}}</ref>
* {{flag|Venezuela}}<ref name="gander1995">{{cite book |editor1-last=Gander |editor1-first=Terry J. |editor2-last=Hogg |editor2-first=Ian V. |name-list-style=amp |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995/1996|publisher=Jane's Information Group |edition=21st |date=May 1995 |isbn=978-0-7106-1241-0}}</ref>
* {{flag|Vietnam}}: After the Vietnam War, the [[People's Army of Vietnam]] inherited a large quantity of M14 rifles from the [[Republic of Vietnam Military Forces]]. In 2016, Factory Z113 successfully put the 7.62×51mm cartridge (designated ''M80'') into mass-production for use in these M14s and other NATO firearms like the [[M60 machine gun]] and [[FN MAG]].<ref name="baodatviet.vn">{{cite news |url=http://baodatviet.vn/anh-nong/dan-chuan-nato-viet-nam-san-xuat-trang-bi-cho-sung-nao-3291836/?p=1 |title=What kind of guns does Vietnam standard equipment produce? |work=Đất Việt |date=12 November 2015 |language=vi |quote=Factory Z113 (General Department of Defense Industry) has successfully produced 7.62 x 51mm M80 bullets according to NATO standards to equip the guns of M14, M60 and MAG58 |access-date=20 August 2016 |archive-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915175736/http://baodatviet.vn/anh-nong/dan-chuan-nato-viet-nam-san-xuat-trang-bi-cho-sung-nao-3291836/?p=1 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Former===
* {{flagcountry|Islamic Republic of Afghanistan|size=23px}}: Used by soldiers of the [[Afghan National Army]] presidential guard for ceremonial duties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grant |first=Jim |date=2020-02-13 |title=Here's Why It's a Good Thing the US Military Is Getting Rid of the M14 |url=https://www.military.com/off-duty/2020/02/13/heres-why-its-good-thing-us-military-getting-rid-m14.html |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=Military.com |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Australia}}: Small quantities of XM21 sniper variants were issued by the Australian Army in the [[Historical weaponry of the Australian Army#Vietnam War|Vietnam War]]. M14 EBRs were also fielded by Australian special operations forces in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sageebr.com/2011/03/24/mk14-mod-0-australian-sas-soldier-receives-vc.aspx |title=Mk14 Mod 0 / Australian SASR Soldier Receives VC |date=25 March 2011 |website=SageEBR.com |access-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318121530/http://sageebr.com/2011/03/24/mk14-mod-0-australian-sas-soldier-receives-vc.aspx |archive-date=2014-03-18}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|South Vietnam}} [[South Vietnam]]: Few instances of ARVN troops acquiring M14 rifles from US troops with the M14E2 being the most desirable.

===Non-state users===
* {{flagicon image|Bandeira da FNLA.svg}} [[National Liberation Front of Angola|Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola]]<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Callan's Mercenaries Are Defeated in Northern Angola |title=Mercenaries in Asymmetric Conflicts |first=Scott |last=Fitzsimmons |date=November 2012 |isbn=978-1-10702-691-9 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sZfGYsrEIBEC |pages=155–156 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |doi=10.1017/CBO9781139208727.005 |quote=The Cuban-MPLA force possessed far greater quantities and a somewhat better quality of anti-infantry weapons than the mercenaries. The mercenaries were, however, not devoid of adequate weapons to equip their tiny force. For instance, they possessed enough rifles for each soldier. Most were American-made M1 and M2 carbines, though some mercenaries were issued Belgian FN riles, AK-47s, Uzi sub-machine guns, Sten guns, or Sterling [submachine guns]. In addition, Charlie Christodoulou fought with a sawed-off Spanish-made double-barrelled shotgun. Moreover, the force fielded at least four M76 grenade launchers and a handful of general-purpose machine guns}}</ref>
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.svg}} [[Moro Islamic Liberation Front]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1168273 |title=3 alleged MILF men nabbed for drugs, gunrunning activities |last=Fernandez |first=Edwin |date=February 22, 2022 |website=Philippine News Agency |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/4/22/69-assorted-firearms-surrendered-by-milf-ready-for-decommissioning |title=69 assorted firearms surrendered by MILF ready for decommissioning |last=Ermac |first=Bonita |date=April 22, 2022 |website=Manila Bulletin |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref>
* [[New People's Army]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1914193/firearms-explosives-found-in-npa-camp-in-bicol |title=New People's Army rebels abandon guns, explosives in Camarines Sur camp |first=Delfin T. Jr. |last=Mallari |date=5 March 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/army-new-peoples-army-clashes-caraga-june-19-2023/ |title=Death toll in Army, NPA clashes in Caraga, Northern Mindanao climbs to 7 |first=Froilan |last=Gallardo |date=19 June 2023 |website=[[Rappler]] |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[AC-556]], a selective fire variant of the Mini-14, a rifle visually based on the M14 and chambered in [[.223 Remington]]
* [[Beretta BM 59]], a battle rifle based on the [[M1 Garand]] and chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO
* [[Springfield Armory M1A]], a semi-automatic rifle based on the M14

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last1=Scott A. |first1=Duff |last2=Miller |first2=John M. |name-list-style=amp |others=Contributing editor: David C. Clark |title=The M14 Owner's Guide and Match Conditioning Instructions |location=[[Export, Pennsylvania]] |publisher=Scott A. Duff Publications |date=1996 |isbn=1-888722-07-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Murphy |first=Edward F. |title=The Hill Fights: The First Battle of Khe Sanh |location=[[Novato, California]] |publisher=Presidio Press |date=2003 |isbn=0-89141-747-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Pisor |first=Robert L. |title=The End of the Line: The Siege of Khe Sanh |location=New York City |publisher=W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. |date=2002 |isbn=0-393-32269-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Rose |first=Alexander |title=American Rifle: A Biography |location=New York City |publisher=Bantam Dell Publishing |date=2008 |isbn=978-0-553-80517-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Stevens |first=R. Blake |title=U.S. Rifle M14: From John Garand to the M21 |location=Toronto |publisher=Collector Grade Publications, Inc. |date=1995 |isbn=0-88935-110-4}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|M14 rifle}}
* {{Internet Archive short film |gov.archives.arc.36734|"How the M14 7.62 Rifle Operates" - US Army training film}}
* {{Internet Archive|FM23-81968|FM 23-8 "Rifle 7.62mm, M14 and M14E2" Army Field Manual}}
* [https://ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/ndia/2007/smallarms/5_9_07/Armstrong_12pm.pdf M14 to Mk 14, Evolution of a Battle Rifle] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213101549/https://ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/ndia/2007/smallarms/5_9_07/Armstrong_12pm.pdf |date=February 13, 2023}}

{{ModernUSInfWeaponsNav}}
{{USAF Weapons}}
{{M1GarandderivativesNav}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| title = United States Army rifle
| years = 1958-1967
| before =[[M1 Garand]]
| after =[[M16 rifle]]
}}
{{s-end}}

[[Category:7.62×51mm NATO battle rifles]]
[[Category:Cold War firearms of the United States]]
[[Category:Rifles of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Infantry weapons of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Rifles of the United States]]
[[Category:Springfield firearms]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps equipment]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1950s]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1959]]