As many of you know, there has been a recall of all CMP M14s. Our's was part of the original DCM program. The DCM was discontinued with the weapons reassigned to the CMP. Our M14 is a very rare model - a TRW receiver and one of the first 1,000 manufactured to NM specifications. It's old and heavy. Mike Sadlak and I were musing today about the possibility that some soldier carrying this very weapon while crawing across the jungle floor in Vietnam. That soldier was fortunate to have such a wonderful weapon but surely exhausted by it's weight. I spent a good part of the day photographing the rifle and various original NM components. All parts are original - the receiver, the trigger group, op rod, spring guide, piston, barrel. For photos today, I installed an age and spec appropriate bayonet, bipod, Leatherwood Mount, and ARTII scope. The mount and scope would probably not have been used in the field but I wanted some photos with it dressed to the hilt. I know that it's unlikely I will every have the opportunity to handle an M14 such as this ever again. I'm sadden by that but, nonetheless, grateful that it has been in our hands for so long. I've learned a great deal about the M14 from this rifle. I'll post a series of photos in the next few days. Mike and I are heading down to the range on Sunday for our final fun day with this much admired M14 and we will indeed be sad to ship it off early next week.
Always a possibility. While they were under the ownership of DCM, then the CMP, they were protected from Clintonesque destruction. My fear is they will revert to the Federal gov and all bets will be off as to whether they survive long term. If I felt they were going to the military en masse I wouldn't mind but I don't think that is the case. The military still has a lot of M14's in its arsenal albeit not too many replacement parts.
Agreed, these are popping up in modern SOC infantry units. This old stick is going back to the front! Andrew
