M14s keep getting cooler

[John Culver]

I love the M14


seems squad auto's are even being used more as a DMR


and in afghanistan, the airborne, has turnedinto the ass borne


And as for Iraq
---------------------------------
"This whole country is an ammo-supply point," said Obregon, who is from New York City. "Everywhere you go, you find all kinds of munitions."

"My initial impression was that this was unlike anything we had ever seen," said Rizzo. "We were blowing up 100 to 300 tons every other day, at multiple ammo-supply points."

Recently, the 18th Airborne Corps put the tonnage of munitions in Iraq at 410,000 - an estimate, Rizzo said.

"We don't know how much ammo is really out there, in the country," he said.

---------------------------------------------------
Find tons of ammo EVERY day, who is to say we wont find any chemical weapons yet to come?

[Stoney]

Must be tough looking thru that scope with shades on.

[hedp]

Originally posted by Stoney
Must be tough looking thru that scope with shades on.

Not as tough as going without cool guy shades in that damn country.
I'm not a big "gotta wear sunglasses all the time" kinda person, but over there, a pair of shades is crucial. Whole country is god awful bright. I think most of the locals would sell their first born for some sunglasses.

[Rich@CGW]

So that's where the term originated " ass,grass or cash. Nobody rides for free !

hand full of grass to ride your ass. Sir ?! Who needs gas anyhow !

[masman]

Originally posted by John Culver
[---------------------------------
"This whole country is an ammo-supply point," said Obregon, who is from New York City. "Everywhere you go, you find all kinds of munitions."

"My initial impression was that this was unlike anything we had ever seen," said Rizzo. "We were blowing up 100 to 300 tons every other day, at multiple ammo-supply points."

Recently, the 18th Airborne Corps put the tonnage of munitions in Iraq at 410,000 - an estimate, Rizzo said.

"We don't know how much ammo is really out there, in the country," he said.

---------------------------------------------------
[/B]

sell it over here and fund the war effort.

[Bruce J]

Damn,

Call me a traditionalist, but I thought I'd never see the day when "Pimp My Ride" would retrofit M14s for the Army.

Gimme a real stock without all those gizmo's hanging off of it and it's nice rifle.

I guess the generation has come about that also pimped up all the M16s.

I'd like to see what they can do to a Garand or BAR next. How about a Springfield with a laser sight?

I guess it all started when they changed my helmet into to look like a Nazi my grandfather shot at. Now they give them funky faded Buck Rogers suits with velcro lost and found tags, boots you can't polish and that MOLLE crap for load bearing gear. - excuse me, I'm going to go use my P-38 and open up a can of old fashioned peaches from my C-rations. Anyone want my Lucky Strikes?

[RacerRTR]

LMAO, that's some funny stuff!!!!

[gunsmith_tony]

I like M14s too. But that one's just too tricked out for me. Is that a bipod...or curb feelers? I guess that’s the new doctrine though. It’s (somehow) more useful as a combat infantry rifle if it’s bristling with (mostly unused) mounting rails? Alllllllrighty then.

M&M Gunsmithing

[gunsmith_tony]

Originally posted by Bruce J
I guess it all started when they changed my helmet into to look like a Nazi my grandfather shot at.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that's noticed that. lol

M&M Gunsmithing

[tiblow]

NO Tony, you're not the only one...... I agree with you Bruce, this is getting rediculous!!

I had an M21 in the Army and could hit a bee's knees with it, I liked the feel of the full stock. Those things feel like hell with all the Blackwater hi-tech crap on them!!!

The "new and improved model" of GI doesn't know the difference and THEY can use scopes with their Oakley Blades on..... They go to one gun show and the know it all, "it's sooo cool!!" And why does he need an M3 light on it!

[Deltaten]

But hey! If it gets 'em to use a REAL rifle, in a REAL caliber...
I don't care if they paint it purple with pink polka-dots.

And I'm purty certain that the gunners don't care either

Best,
Paul

[hedp]

I love the traditional '14, I would imagine more than most here on the FAL files. Hate that damn full of rails SAGE stock. But, it can't be argued that rails in the right spots make the old girl infinitely more useful in today's Army. When the preference is to operate at night, you are talkin' IR aiming lasers, night vision sometimes mounted, and even, (brace yourselves) weapon mounted lightsThe bipod? Nothing wrong with making for a steadier platform.
I'm only 28, and just been out of AD for about three years and don't really consider myself to be part of the "gadgety" generation of soldiers. Didn't like operating at night, I'm solar powered, if the sun is down then I should be down.

Ugly and nontraditional as they are, the '14s set up like the ones pictured ARE more combat effective with the tactics we use now, and that is the most important measure of a soldier's gear.

As a civilian puke nowadays, am I gonna jump on the SAGE stock bandwagon that is running thru the M14 community lately? Not a chance in hell.

[W.E.G.]

This is about as trick as I care for in an M14.

[mrf2]

As a current Marine I'll say this, if you want to fight effectivly at night you need NVGs/thermals (they have weapon mounted ones now), IR lasers (to aim your weapon) and lights come in handy for several reasons (can be used with IR filters, or white light, both used to clear buildings or signal, also useful at check points). We fight at night becuase 9 times out of 10 our foes can't.

[Stoney]

I know all about the sun light over there, I spent 3 + years in Saudia Arabia and you learn to walk in the shade, but have to take the shades off sometimes.

[izaakb]

It is a SOCOM Mk 14 Model 0



With QD scope:

[maddawg308]

I guess it all started when they changed my helmet into to look like a Nazi my grandfather shot at. Now they give them funky faded Buck Rogers suits with velcro lost and found tags, boots you can't polish and that MOLLE crap for load bearing gear. - excuse me, I'm going to go use my P-38 and open up a can of old fashioned peaches from my C-rations. Anyone want my Lucky Strikes?

Amen brother. Love the new Army, or else. Now we are wearing the Stahlheim helmet, the new baby-barf camo smocks that are decendents of the Nazi issue Alpen combat smock, and would you believe it, next year is the last year we'll be issued black leather boots (all are going to tan desert shitkickers). It was bad enough we went to the black beret, it used to be Rangers would kick your ass if you were wearing a black beret and didn't earn it.

The sunglasses are the shizzle though. They may be required in the sandbox, but guess what - GIs are wearing them everywhere now! Also, whens the last time you saw a cop without a pair of sunglasses on? Goes with that whole "You can't see my eyes so there's the whole intimidation thing going on so hand me your papers and your govt. issued ID cards while I run your complete financial and personal background info on my computer like a good Nazi, and BTW don't question my authority or I'll kick your ass and put you in jail without charging you for shit."

Ve are zee new Sturmtroopers, mein Herr. Pretty soon, I wouldn't be surprised if the higher brass makes us wear red armbands and march lock-step through downtown Baghdad.

Just my rant. Take my 2 cents and save up for a new pair of sunglasses.

[John Culver]

Originally posted by izaakb
It is a SOCOM Mk 14 Model 0

The barrel is longer and it has a standard flash hider on it though.

[izaakb]

Mod 1, DMR

[Rooster]

I'll take three

[kfranz]

Originally posted by Rooster



I'll take three

I like it too.

[eodinert]

I'm glad those of you that are stuck in the past don't run things. Hate to let a little technology and progress get in the way of war fighting.

Yeah, shiny boots, there's something you can't win a war without.

[mp]

Originally posted by eodinert
I'm glad those of you that are stuck in the past don't run things. Hate to let a little technology and progress get in the way of war fighting.

Yeah, shiny boots, there's something you can't win a war without.

I agree. Technology has advanced, and so has the combat uniform and combat equipment. I'll miss my green jungle boots, but the new tan leather boots are just as comfortable, lighter, and don't need maintained like the black leather boots. And my new "nazi looking" ACH/MICH helmet is 100% times more comfortable then the old Kevlar. I have not been issued the new ACU's, so I cannot comment, other then the fact I will be happy to stop cutting off all my pockets and remounting them so they can be used with my body armor. And I suppose my body armor is bad because those bastard in California used it to rob a bank?

As for the gadgets, and stocks on the DMR and SAWs? It all has a purpose. Next time you are bored, go out to the garage and load the contents of your junk storage closet into your four door sedan. Then pull your hi-fi stereo system out of the living room and stack it in the car. Load all the cans of ammo you keep in the safe. Then get four buddies dressed up in ski gear with lead vests holding your beloved BARS and Garands, and have them get in and out of the car, over and over, as fast as they can, as if their lives depended on it. Or use a van and get 12 buddies and do the same thing. Compact is fast, and fast is good. Due to the "gadgets" the US Military currently owns the night.....

And as for the great caliber dispute, I guess we should go back to the Springfield .45-70. Bigger caliber is better, right? And it had very few "gadgets" hanging off it.

My current "gadgets" on my M-4: Rail system, front vertical grip, M-68 CCO red dot, back up iron site, Readi Mag, and I mount a sure fire ont he front rail for evening/night missions. If I could get my hands on a PEQ-4 IR kit, it would be on their too. All the gadgets are there for a reason--Close Quarters Battle--in a compact package. I can get in and out of an up armored HMMV to react to direct fire, or dismount for a mission. If you tried to take my M-4 away, and hand me an M-16 or full size M-14 for my current mission in Iraq, I would throat punch you. If I was in Afghanistan, and had long distance oppotunities, it would be a different story.

So get back on the couch, arm chair commandos, watch some more History Channel, and continue to compare the modern warrior in combat to the Nazi's and their equipment. Those of us that serve will continue to do so, and use the equipment that ensures the US military is the best in the world.

[xtremerange]

Originally posted by mp


I agree. Technology has advanced, and so has the combat uniform and combat equipment. I'll miss my green jungle boots, but the new tan leather boots are just as comfortable, lighter, and don't need maintained like the black leather boots. And my new "nazi looking" ACH/MICH helmet is 100% times more comfortable then the old Kevlar. I have not been issued the new ACU's, so I cannot comment, other then the fact I will be happy to stop cutting off all my pockets and remounting them so they can be used with my body armor. And I suppose my body armor is bad because those bastard in California used it to rob a bank?

As for the gadgets, and stocks on the DMR and SAWs? It all has a purpose. Next time you are bored, go out to the garage and load the contents of your junk storage closet into your four door sedan. Then pull your hi-fi stereo system out of the living room and stack it in the car. Load all the cans of ammo you keep in the safe. Then get four buddies dressed up in ski gear with lead vests holding your beloved BARS and Garands, and have them get in and out of the car, over and over, as fast as they can, as if their lives depended on it. Or use a van and get 12 buddies and do the same thing. Compact is fast, and fast is good. Due to the "gadgets" the US Military currently owns the night.....

And as for the great caliber dispute, I guess we should go back to the Springfield .45-70. Bigger caliber is better, right? And it had very few "gadgets" hanging off it.

My current "gadgets" on my M-4: Rail system, front vertical grip, M-68 CCO red dot, back up iron site, Readi Mag, and I mount a sure fire ont he front rail for evening/night missions. If I could get my hands on a PEQ-4 IR kit, it would be on their too. All the gadgets are there for a reason--Close Quarters Battle--in a compact package. I can get in and out of an up armored HMMV to react to direct fire, or dismount for a mission. If you tried to take my M-4 away, and hand me an M-16 or full size M-14 for my current mission in Iraq, I would throat punch you. If I was in Afghanistan, and had long distance oppotunities, it would be a different story.

So get back on the couch, arm chair commandos, watch some more History Channel, and continue to compare the modern warrior in combat to the Nazi's and their equipment. Those of us that serve will continue to do so, and use the equipment that ensures the US military is the best in the world.

A thankful +1 from the couch.

[Ssarge]

Thank you MP for a warm cup of Shut the **** Up to the REMF's, Wannabe's, never were's, Chairborne Rangers and Assault Never Have Been's.
I am so proud you men and women don't have the shit for equipment we had to put up with post Vietnam pre Regan build up.
A salute and a loud ALLONS! to you MP

[Ssarge]

Originally posted by maddawg308


The sunglasses are the shizzle though. They may be required in the sandbox, but guess what - GIs are wearing them everywhere now! Also, whens the last time you saw a cop without a pair of sunglasses on? Goes with that whole "You can't see my eyes so there's the whole intimidation thing going on so hand me your papers and your govt. issued ID cards while I run your complete financial and personal background info on my computer like a good Nazi, and BTW don't question my authority or I'll kick your ass and put you in jail without charging you for shit."
Just my rant. Take my 2 cents and save up for a new pair of sunglasses.

Hate to tell you but we wore sunglasses 30 years ago in the Army. I still wear them on the job, it's not a "power trip" thing as you seem to elude to. It's called eye armor. I prefer to keep my eyes intact. I wear Gargoyles.
I also don't want to have all of the catarach surgery my father has had over the years due to not wearing sunglasses in the bright southern sun. If you want to go blind later out of a perceived fashion statement, so be it. Not me. And if you are feeling like a storm trooper, maybe it's time you sought another line of employment.

[FortunateSon]

The sunglasses would seem to change the eye relief a bit, but mainly I wonder about his cheek weld on that stock. Is the stock even TOUCHING his shoulder?

[Brass Rat]

They haven't all turned to space guns!

[Bruce J]

Originally posted by eodinert
I'm glad those of you that are stuck in the past don't run things...

Newsflash: We do.

Originally posted by mp
So get back on the couch, arm chair commandos, watch some more History Channel, and continue to compare the modern warrior in combat to the Nazi's and their equipment. Those of us that serve will continue to do so, and use the equipment that ensures the US military is the best in the world.

Now there's a fine display of pompous ignorance. You know not whom you insult grasshopper.

I guess one would have to have a few more hash marks to really understand the spirit of relating to "the good ol'd days". We understand and forgive your ignorance. No insult taken. We can talk about this on the front pourch of the old soldier's home in due time.

On another note, the references to the pimped out M14's is a reaction to the disparity between the 1940's technology it was designed on and the 21st century technology imposed upon it. The juxtaposition is amusing. I like the old M14, but shouldn't the Nitendo generation today get some fancy new fangled space gun. That M14 is older than most of the guys using it.

Regardless, it's not the equipment that makes an American fighting man, it's the spirt, heart and will to do the right thing.

Non sibi sed patriae

[Opie]

Teach Joe to shoot, and shoot well. Teach him how to use his weapon to the utmost of its capability and range (not this 300 meter garbage, I mean out to the Maximum effective of his weapon). Teach Joe how to use the absolute basics, like using a sling, and using his iron sights; I mean really using them to input for long range, etc. Teach Joe so that if he can see it then he can hit it. Make Joe a true Rifleman, then teach him how to use the neat stuff. All the greatest gear, and having the best technology available is totally useless if Joe don't know how it works, and don't know the basics if the stuff breaks.

[TXscout]

[izaakb]

Originally posted by mp
If you tried to take my M-4 away, and hand me an M-16 or full size M-14 for my current mission in Iraq, I would throat punch you.

[W.E.G.]

Originally posted by FortunateSon
The sunglasses would seem to change the eye relief a bit, but mainly I wonder about his cheek weld on that stock. Is the stock even TOUCHING his shoulder?

Could be he's just scouting the downrange area, rather than preparing for a shot.

Or he could just be (god forbid) posing for a picture. Who is to say that is even his issued weapon? I think if I were issued some other less-sexy weapon, I might pose for a pic if I ran across something I wanted to show to my buddies.

Whatever.

I wouldn't make too much of the fact that the soldier's "shooting position," on some picture off the internet, is lacking certain fundamental elements.

Chairborne Ranger, over and out.

[stymie]

AWC G2 Bullpup with SWAROVSKI Habicht NOVA variable

[Jsquared]

That first picture makes the rifle look like it's missing some major components, or has gone anorexic or something I guess I'm not used to seeing an M14 without a traditional wooden stock.

As far as service rifles go, whatever we need to get the job done, gain an advantage over the enemy, and bring our boys home safer, I say use it. To me, it's the same way I feel about sportscars... it seems most of the stuff nowadays has concentrated on gadgetry and electronic "driver assistance" at the cost of weight and driver feel. I'd rather have one of the older, lighter cars with a nice suspension setup and an unencumbered engine than one of the new overweight active-gadget traction-controlled stability-managed things. Of course, I have yet to enlist, so my opinion is subject to change following boot and training

P.S. When did the Army get the digicamo? Trying to be like the Marines again, eh?