[deuce20]

I do believe the Navy is still using the M14 for ship duty, yes?

AP News Photograph of Navy Sailor on Guard (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20030111/TROOP_DEPLOYMENT.sff_NCBJ105_20030111155537.html?date=20030112&docid=D7OGPC6O0)

[Gewehr98]

Still part of the arms locker inventory in several USN ships.

(Just saw the ones on USNS Observation Island, and she's a white hull!) :D

[WilderBill]

Someone told me that they kept it because they found that if they shot at sharks from the deck of a ship, the little .223 would deflect when it hit the water.
One thing for sure, the "it's too heavy" argument doesn't mean much if you have a ship to do the haulin'!

[Destructo6]

A large part of why they're still in service is for line throwing in order to conduct underway replenishment.

[Handy]

The Navy never officially adopted the M-16, so the M-14 remains the standard service rifle. I worked with some master-at -arms the other day securing a crash site. They also carried M-14. The selectors were blocked.

I've watched unreps as well. Using an M-14 with a line-thrower is something of an art, but those guys didn't miss.

[Gewehr98]

They, and their Ma Deuce companions, were on board for those little inflatable Zodiac boats loaded with high explosives. Something about not having another USS Cole incident. ;)

[gun-fucious]

they are also on nuke subs for polar bear watch

[xjer]

My brother is on the G.W. carrier. I was just asking him if he had
shot a M-14. I was surprised to here it was still their standard
rifle. He also mentioned lots of changes since the Cole was hit.


Mike

[El Tejon]

xjer, that is wonderful to hear. Usually it's CRS, over and over.

[HSMITH]

Each USN ship will have some select fire M14's too as part of the loadout for boarding and landing parties. Less than 25% of the inventory is select fire, but they are out there.

[Frohickey]

they are also on nuke subs for polar bear watch

When polar bears start organizing, and start caring for their wounded, the Navy will move to the M16. :D

Wounded bear takes 2 or 3 other bears out of the fight. :p

[Dan Morris]

Sure hope they don't have the TRW ones....I keep remembering the roller on the bolt stripping off in the 60's!
Dan
:(

[MarineTech]

The Marine Corps is once again issueing a worked over version of the M14 called the Designated Marksman Rifle. It's an interim step between a basic 0311 rifleman and a scout sniper.

[KMKeller]

Ya gotta love a force that loves the M14. No NAVY!

[ojibweindian]

The M14's I saw back in the early 90's were used in unrep.

[Handy]

You don't have to change service rifles very often when you hardly used them. The Navy also tried to adapt Garands to .308 rather than switch to M14s in the first place. If that had worked better, we'd still issue them, probably.

[amprecon]

During boot camp in sunny San Diego, 1987, they held a class on both the M-14 and the M-16, but never got to shoot either there. We did get to lug around Garands when we marched. The only firearm we fired was the 1911 with the .22lr conversion kit.
Finally in 1994 or 95 we had the chance to qualify with a rifle and I and the others had fully anticipated firing the M-16, but much to our pleasant surprise they issued out M-14's with which I scored expert.
Oh, and KMKeller.......that's GO NAVY! HooYaa!

[Art Eatman]

Wuz told today that FEMA is giving M14s to the Georgia Highway Patrol guys and to sheriff's departments.

Art

[Coronach]

One of our local agencies here supposedly has an M14 (or an M1A, I dunno which) in a trunk-lid rack in every cruiser.

I wish I was so well-equipped. My Ninja 870 is great, but not the same as a rifle.

Mike

[Fed168]

Our department got a batch of M14s, some with the switch. Nothing like trying to hold it on target in full auto!

[ruger357]

That's one tough gun.

[DMK]

SEALs still use 'em too, especially in harsh weather conditions. Of course, they use a bit of everything.