yes. one person in each squad carried one. they even dropped them in sage ebr stocks and put leupold mk4s on them for us.Didn't the US military a few years ago start issuing M14s to some troops as part of their "designated marksman" program?
I thought they were digging up every 14 they could get their hands on. That's one of the reason there has been a surge in all the new stocks and things for the M14 platform. I love the old battle rifle!
Yeah, me too !!!!! 147 gr. FMJ, beats 55gr., FMJ, at 500-700 yards, every time.....If I were over there and in the "boonies" Id rather have an M14 in 308....
Here is the link to the Army report for the Command and Staff College;
The Captain's Journal Taking Back the Infantry Half-Kilometer
Of the many interesting facts in this long diatribe, is confirmation that the M16 was to be a replacement for the M1 CARBINE, not the battle rifle.
...when fire fights have to depend heavily on the art of weapon jam-clearing, something is fundamentally wrong.
Uncle Sam did recall M14s that were on loan to various agencys and departments (if they were not in use or critical to their missions) but they also have purchased many from a few civilian sources..... Smith Ent. Inc. being one of the major suppliers.
Many of these from SEI are M14 sniper versions, complete with silencers and pelican cases:
Smith Enterprise, Inc.
Check out the miltary issued pics and descriptions.....
Back in '77, we had to "qualify" with the 5.56mm at 500 meters.
It may not be the optimal round at that distance, but you'll never convince me it's ineffective at that range either!