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?

[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

[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.....

[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.