M14 to MK 14

Evolution of a Battle Rifle

Dave Armstrong (ISEA - Sniper Weapons), NSWC Crane, Code 4081

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

1 public release; distribution unlimited.
 The M14’’s Difficult Starting Point

• M14 – slated to replace all shoulder arms to be complemented by M60 MG

M1 Garand – “Greatest battle implement

ever devised” Gen. Patton

M1 / M2 Carbine Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR – M1918A2)

Distribution Statement A - Approved for
2 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Specialty M14 Configurations

M21 Sniper Rifle

Field Stripped M14

M14A1 (aka E2)

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

3 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Gene Stoner’’s Aircraft Alloy AR-15

M16A1 XM177E2
6.6 lbs – 20.5” barrel 6.2 lbs – 11.5” barrel

The M14’s “Competition” from Colt at the time – really filling a different role
Assault Rifle vs. Battle Rifle

M14 Battle Rifle

German FG42 - 10 lbs 9.7 lbs
Paratroop Rifle in 8X57mm

AK-47 Assault Rifle

All weights –
10 lbs
with empty mag.
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
4 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Evolution Toward the Assault
M1 Carbine
5.5 lbs

MP-43 /44 Stg 44

uses 30 round magazine - 12 lbs loaded
The “Leap” to a true 300 yard/meter
capable Assault Rifle / Sturmgewehr

.30 Carbine
7.62X25 and
PPSh-41 with 71 round Drum - 12 lbs 7.92X33 Kurtz
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
loaded
5 public release; distribution unlimited.
 The Details of Winning Battles

• Inflict casualties in larger numbers than the enemy.

• Inflict casualties at a greater range than the enemy and thus take
fewer casualties.
• Inflict casualties at a greater rate than the enemy can tolerate -
overcoming training, discipline, and morale, to dominate the field of
battle.
• The Germans began demonstrating some of these in WWI
• By the End of WWII the world had a solid respect for the effects of
pure volume of fire – firepower.
• Russia quickly produced the SKS and AK-47 chambering the
intermediate 7.62X39mm Cartridge to support the new fire and
maneuver storm troop tactics the Germans had demonstrated.
• Rate of Fire had become a primary measure of effect in battle.
• The primary combat arm would need only a 300 meter range.

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

6 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Early 1960’’s

M79 Grenade Launcher – began

use in 1961 beginning to replace ARPA (now DARPA) Tests AR-15
M14 in that role against M2 Carbine for use by
South Vietnamese Troops

Results of this testing and

use of the 1000 AR-15s
procured by DARPA lead to
the thought that the AR-15
would also be ideal for US
Troops.

1984 Exercise – M21 and M16A1 The M203 Rifle Mounted GL

w/M203 Grenade Launcher evolves out of SPIW concepts
M203s are first issued in early 1970s
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
7 public release; distribution unlimited.
 THE SPIW –– Undone by Specifications
Special Purpose Infantry Weapon Efforts

Springfield Armory First

Generation SPIW - 14.5 lbs

Olin / Winchester SPIW

H & R SPIW - 23.9 lbs

Fired 3 Flechettes per shot

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

8 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Vietnam M14 / M21 Use

Fixed Bayonet

Vietnam Sniper
AN/PVS-2 and M14SS-1 Suppressors
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
9 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Sniper Rifle Updates

Navy M14 Port Security (double

lugged) and Match Rifles (single lug)

USMC DMR with AN/PVS-10 Day /

Night Sight and OPS Supp.

Army XM25 / M25 (also used suppressed)

M24 – Army Commercial Competition 1988

USMC M40A1 - first M40 was 1966
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
10 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Current/ Future 7.62mm Sniper Weapons

Last Navy Sniper M14 – SSR MK 11 MOD 0 (Navy SR 25)- Suppressed

(Sniper Security Rifle)

SCAR-H MK 17 SSR Sniper

Army XM110 – w/minor changes M110
Support Rifle (Prototype)

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

11 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Recent Navy M14 / MK 14 Use

Navy EOD MK 14 MOD 0 –

(representative optic)
SEAL - Navy M14 Line
Advertising Throwing
Photo

SEALs with MK 48 LMG & 2 MK 14 MOD 0s

Burial at Sea
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
12 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Recent Army M14 Usage

7.62mm
NATO
remains
cartridge
of choice
for certain
tasks

Baghdad Night / Day Army Sharp Shooters - Mosul, Iraq

Army M14 in Iraq

Distribution Statement A - Approved for
13 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Navy M14 Muzzle Compensator

Navy Optimized M14 Brake/Compensator Top

M14 with Beretta BM59 type Original M14A1 Compensator

folding stock (Top) AKM below

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

14 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Arctic Stock for M14 Starting Point

Example of Sage Arctic Stock

Upgrade to GI Fiberglass/Plastic Top – M14 bipod leg used for telescoping
mechansim on A1 wood stock.
Middle – M4 Carbine Type modified GI
fiberglass stock.
Bottom – Later Sage Mod (orig. had no cheekrest).
Not Shown – Butler Creek Side Folder Mod.
Arctic Stocked M14 with KAC-RAS
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
15 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Original EBR Concept Demonstration

GI fiberglass top / 1st Sage below Lightening cuts, Paint and

16 inch prototype barrel

LMT rail mounted M203 concept

(“ammo bearer” recommended)

Forward mounted AimPoint

and light bipod
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
16 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Original Enhanced Battle Rifle Concept

EBR System Features – Starts with Chassis Stock

Sling

See thru Rings Suppressor

PVS-18 & 1.5-5X

Optic

Screw-on Flash
Bolt Release Suppressor
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
17 public release; distribution unlimited.
 M14 EBR Test Configurations

M983 in front - not great / behind 1.5-5X – not bad

Test EBR configured with

Light and Reflex Sight

AN/PVS-17 MNVS (2.25X) – Nice (w/PEQ-2)

Pocket Scope (M983) behind UNS – Universal Night

AimPoint (or any Reflex sight) Sight (now AN/PVS-22)
– excellent capability
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
18 public release; distribution unlimited.
 M14 to MK 14 MOD 0 Changes

• Stock System (Chassis)

• Operating Rod Guide
• Front and Rear Sights
• Gas Cylinder Lock
• Stripper Clip Guide (1913)
• Extended Bolt Release
• 18 inch barrel (vs. 22 inch)
• Improved Flash Suppressor
• Accessories – rings, bipod, grip,
sling, case, cleaning kit, tool
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
19 public release; distribution unlimited.
 MK 14 MOD 0 and MOD 1

MK 14 MOD 0
MK 14 MOD 1 – First Issued

MK14 MOD 1 – after Suppressor Down Select

Distribution Statement A - Approved for
20 public release; distribution unlimited.
 MK 14 MOD 0 vs MOD 1

MK 14 MOD 1 with AV/PVS-26 Special EBR folding Tool

Weight comparison: Empty -
No Bipod, No Supp, No Mag.
Mag. weighs 1/2 pound empty,
weight includes forward grip –
no optic (or riser on MOD 1).

Air Force MK 14 MOD 0 w/ Leupold 3.5-10X MOD 0 MOD 1

11.4 lbs 10.6 lbs
Bipod .74 lbs Bipod 1.04 lbs

MOD 1 Sound Supp. =1.27 lbs

Latest Navy MK 14 MOD 1 (2.5-10X NXS)
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
21 public release; distribution unlimited.
 MK 14 vs M4A1 Length

MK 14 MOD 0 – 1.5-5X Optic Concept

Original M14 is 44.4 inches long

Top - MK 14 MOD 1: 37.0 inches

Middle - MK 14 MOD 0: 35.0 inches
Bottom - M4A1 Carbine: 30.5 inches MK 14 MOD 0
Operator’s Manual
(all weapons with stocks at shortest length)
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
22 public release; distribution unlimited.
 M14 EBRs in use

Air Force MK 14 in Transit

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

23 public release; distribution unlimited.
 More ““Drop In”” M14 EBR Conversions

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

24 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Other M14 Related Developments

Original Rock – SOPMOD M14 – had

Latest Troy Industries M14 Stock
reconfigured gas system and metal stock

McMillan MFS-14 System

JAE 100 - Sniper Type Stock -

No bedding required
Smith Enterprise Day / Night Optic Mounts
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
25 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Accessorization

Many SOPMOD Kit Type Accessories are useful on M14 EBRs

This includes the Array of Night Vision and Thermal Clip-On Unitsswell
fas the various Lasers, Lights and Sights.
sfdfd

Many SOPMOD Kit Type Accessories are useful on M14 EBRs / MK 14s
to Include the Latest Array of Night Vision and Thermal Clip-On Units as
well as the various Lasers, Lights and Optical Sights and most anything
else mountable to Mil Std 1913 Rails.

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

26 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Fighting at 300 meters and Less

FN P90
5.7X28mm

HK MP7
4.6X30mm
MARS – 5.56X30mm

SCAR-CQC

5.56X45mm
KAC – PDW 6X35mm (8 inch)
MK 18 CQC or CQBR on M4
(10 inch barrel also available)
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
27 public release; distribution unlimited.
 OPTIMIZATION of Weapon / Ammo Load
Approved for Public Release

Weapon System Weights -

Need to fit within an Ideal 45 lbs (50 lb maximum)
fighting load including other Kit
An M203 Grenade Launcher
adds 3 lbs plus 3/4 lb per M433 HEDP round
Cartridge 7.62X51 7.62X39 5.56X45 5.56X45 5.56X30 5.7X28 4.6X30
Weights-lbs M14 AKM M4A1 M4-10" MARS FN P90 HK MP7
Weapon 8.6 8.5 6.6 6.3 5.5 5.6 3.9
Cartridge 0.055 0.047 0.026 0.026 0.022 0.014 0.014
Magazine 0.50 0.70 0.24 0.24 0.19 0.21 0.19
w/210 rnds 20.7 18.7 12.2 11.9 10.3 8.6 7.0
w/300 rnds 25.9 23.1 14.7 14.4 12.3 9.9 8.3
w/420 rndsDistribution32.9 28.9for
Statement A - Approved 17.9 17.6 15.0 11.6 10.1
28 public release; distribution unlimited.
w/510 rnds 38.1 33.3 20.3 20.0 17.1 12.9 11.4
 Ammunition Load Comparison

Minutes of Combat at 45 shots per minute

(possible ambush rate of fire)
with a 10 pound ammunition load:
- Magazine weight not considered

Rnds Cartridge Time (+/- 6 sec)

182 7.62 NATO 3 minutes
385 5.56/9mm NATO 6 1/2 minutes
210 7.62X39 3 1/2 minutes
455 5.56X30MARS 7 1/2 minutes
or 6X35KAC (est.)
714 5.7X28 /4.6X30 >11 minutes
Distribution Statement A - Approved for
29 public release; distribution unlimited.
 Expected Target
Distribution (OICW Study)

Top Down (Avg.):

Urban (18m)
Jungle (75m)
Rural (155m)
Desert (204m)

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

30 public release; distribution unlimited.
 M14 to MK 14 –– Evolution of a Battle Rifle

Dave Armstrong
ISEA - Sniper Weapons
Naval Surface Warfare Center
Crane Division, Code 4081

Distribution Statement A - Approved for

31 public release; distribution unlimited.