M14 in 82nd airborne?

[FallenAngel]

Enduring Freedom Gallery...American forces....82nd airborne....pic # 105 ....third guy away from the camera...

why on earth would he be carrying an M14? There's no optics, to he isn't a 'designated marksman'.

any thoughts?

http://www4.aixgaming.com/opend/82nd_Airborne_Division/82nd_101

[Chops]

Very weird. You're right, it's not the new Designated Marksmans Rifle and it's not an M21 either. It really does look like a plain vanilla M14. Individual SEALs and CAG operators use them but this guy looks like an average grunt (no offence to the 82d).

Love to hear people's views too.

Rgds
Chops

[Vance]

Maybe it was a gift from his dad and he wanted to test it out :D

[littleranger]

When the 82nd got Afghanistan the 5.56mm round of the there M4 weren't doin what they needed, so they started to re issue the M-14 for the purpose of the 7.62mm round.

[front]

"When the 82nd got Afghanistan the 5.56mm round of the there M4 weren't doin what they needed, so they started to re issue the M-14 for the purpose of the 7.62mm round."

Where did you read/hear that? I'd love to read more details on this.

1) Who was it issued to? All of the 82nd Airborne?

2) When they leave Afghaniistan will they give the venerable M-14 back and go with the M-16 again?

There are about another half dozen questions here... can you point to your sources of the information contained in your post?

cheers

front

[littleranger]

Hey, Im sorry thats all the info i had, my friend's dad just got back from Afghanistan and he was showin us some pics. and I noticed a M-14 and asked him about it, and thats what he told me. I will look for some more info and if i find any ill post it for you. OUT

[littleranger]

I dont recall him telling me who they got issued to, but i know allot of the 82nd still had there M4s. I guess they handed them out to ppl in a everyother or every3 man ratio. that is my guess, not sure on it.

[Apogee]

I don't like the idea of mixing up ammo in a fire team or sqaud. I can see using it as a platoon or higher asset. I can see that leading to problems in an extended fire fight type of situation.

[Chops]

Guys

Really intrigued by this one. Heard a similar story years ago from an Engineer in Gulf 1- guys requesting and eventually receiving SLRs rather than the issue SA80.

If anyone spots anything on this, please post. I would love to read it.

Rgds

Chops

[BMF]

true, having several different calibers of ammo isnt the ideal, but 5.56 is just too limited rang-wise for the area we're fighting in.

[BMF]

a buddy of mine in the 82nd said that they are buying springfield M1A's(just another designation for the M14) and issuing it at a 1 per squad rate.

[Mayhem#]

I'll take an M-14 over a M4 or SA80 any day..

M.

[BMF]

that would be a rather risky choice. the M14 might have more range and stopping power, but its much harder to control on full-auto, and weighs a ton. the M4, especially the new RIS versions are outstanding all around weapons

[Mayhem#]

A double-tap with an M14 beats a full clip of 5.56 any day.....
rofl

[Apogee]

The M-14 i have def doesn't have full auto on it. Its a semi-auto, and since its mil issue, I'm pretty sure the ones the 82nd has are the same way.

[Ratamacue]

The last Military-Issue M14's that were full-auto were used in early Vietnam. I'm pretty sure all the reserve rifles are semi-auto.

[BMF]

the ones bought in afgan are supposedly vanilla M1A's from springfield armory. they should be fully automatic, unless the army specifically bought the civilian-legal semi auto version

[...]

I think you mean M-14. M1's otherwise known as Garands are WW2 vintage semi-automatic rifles.

[BMF]

nono i meant exactly what i typed. what the army calls the M14, the marines, and springfield armory, call the M1A. the M14/M1A is based on the M1 garand, but modified to accept magazines and go fully automatic.

[TacoDelRio]

M1A's are civie M14's. They are made by Springfield Armoury (a privatly owned and run company, not the government facility!), and they are quite popular for long range shooting matches, and various other competitions.

They make several unique variants, including the M1a scout, the M1a bush rifle, and the M25 "White Feather", made in cooperation with the estate of Carlos N. Hathcock, the legendary USMC vietnam war sniper. (93 confirmed kills)

It is an excellent company. Go check out their website.
www.springfieldarmory.com

Hooah! p-)

[Apogee]

Heres the thing though, I don't think there is any need for the M14's they are issueing to be full automatic. The implied use of these weapons is distance. You can't put accurate rounds downrange with a full auto M14, it just isn't happening. Also, the would not be using these for supprisive fire, as the M240b does a much better job then a small capacity M14.

[BMF]

USMA: very true, the idea behind issuing them is to get some firepower out beyond 5.56 range, but given the option i would rather not go into combat with a semi-auto rifle when the same exact weapon is available with full-auto fire

[front]

Howdy

Pic of the 82nd in Afghanistan with the M14 here:

http://jccc.afis.osd.mil/LBOX/full/739084.jpg

cheers

front

[Breacher]

the pic does in fact show an M-14....only difference appears to bethat he has a TRIJICON as opposed to the LEUPOLD that we have on our DMR's.......

[front]

Howdy

Great photo on that link... look close at the details.

Notice the censor obscuring the unit patches on the two individuals to the left (large "reflective-like" splotches)? And others...

Here is a question. Were the M-14s issued because the troops-in-contact demanded them? Or...

There are two M-14s in that photo right (guy third from the left... M14)?

cheers

front

[Breacher]

the 3rd from the left just has the bipod legs extended.........

[Apogee]

Any ID on those gloves? I don't beleive that I've seen those before. Just curious.

[Piccolo]

They are Hatch Operator gloves, I believe. They sell them in OD and the Desert seen there, an possibly a solid black although I'm not sure.