Since the M14 is self-loading, the op rod and bolt are constantly in motion in the receiver. The first problem is that the only practical location to mount an optic is basically over the receiver.
The M4/AR-15 platform in its modern railed receiver iteration is very accommodating of them. Today's rifle shooter.generally uses optics, whether that's a scope or a red dot. Except, and here's the point, optics were being added to the M14 even during the Vietnam war. Yes, that's correct it was created in a time when iron sights were used. Most likely, someone's going to whine about "something something iron sights" and the era. People's Exhibit Zero, Because The M14 Can't Hold OneĪn inherent issue with the M14 is that it is hot garbage when it comes to use of optics. Point being, the rifle was out of date by the time it was conceived and adopted. The M14 requires forging and milling of more components, so more tooling and expense in manufacturing than other battle rifles. Manufacturing is more complex and expensive. Unless meticulously maintained, they are also less reliable.Īnd then there's the AR-10, which, like the G3, is far simpler and more robust than the M14's design. That's why other contemporary battle rifles of the day such as the FN FAL (short stroke) or the HK G36/G3/CETME rifle, a roller-delayed blowback system, used them. Long-stroke systems are inherently less efficient than short-stroke or other systems, such as blowback. In 1939, that was advanced 20 years later, when the M14 was adopted, it was behind the times. The M14 is a magazine-fed M1 Garand, with the same gas tappet long-stroke piston system, rotating bolt and (most) controls though there are some other alterations. It relied on an archaic operating mechanism that was only utilized because of Defense Department shenanigans. The first reason why the M14 was a lousy service rifle is because it was basically obsolete upon arrival. People's Exhibit A: The M14 Was Out Of Date By The Time It Hit Production So is the M14 a lousy service rifle? By extension, is buying a Springfield M1A just stupid? Let's talk about that. If made and used properly, the M14 can be a very capable and formidable service rifle in ways an M4 just can't. While the world did move on from them, a battle rifle is a fearsome weapon to be on the wrong end of. It had issues in the field and it was kept long after its sell-by date for a host of bad reasons. It has issues that other rifles of its type.just don't have. The fact is that it was already out of date by the time it was adopted. Critics say it was a disaster to begin with. Fans say it never got the chance it deserved. Was The M14 A Lousy Service Rifle? 3 Reasons It Was.And Some It Wasn'tĪh yes, the M14.