M14 Rifle

The M14 is a select-fire battle rifle chambered in the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge, adopted by the United States Armed Forces in 1957 as the standard infantry rifle. Designed as an evolution of the M1 Garand, the M14 incorporates a 20-round detachable box magazine and a gas-operated rotating bolt system with a fire selector for semi-automatic and fully automatic fire. Its powerful 7.62mm NATO cartridge gives it effective range beyond 500 meters, making it a formidable battle rifle. Although it was replaced as the primary infantry rifle by the M16 in the 1960s, the M14's accuracy potential led to its continued use as a designated marksman rifle and sniper platform. The M21 Sniper Weapon System and the modernized Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle are direct descendants of the M14.