Recently completed replica of a U.S. Army M14SE Squad-Designated Marksman (SDM) rifle, which was later designated as an M21A5 rifle (or informally referred to as an “M14SE Crazy Horse” rifle). I just got the barreled action w/ trigger group back from Smith Enterprise Inc (SEI). For anyone interested, here’s the list of parts used for this replica project, starting at the front of the rifle:
• SEI flash hider – M14 Direct Connect (DC) (#SEI Vortex 2000-V-A2)
• SEI integrated front sight and gas cylinder lock – (#2012)
• SEI “Warfighter” gas cylinder (MHT80 treated) – (#2072)
• SEI gas plug (MHT80 treated) – (#2076)
• SEI gas piston (hard chrome plated) – (#2075-SBR)
• SEI bipod (newer style with clamping lever) – (#2033)
• SEI/Hart medium weight barrel, carbon steel, 1:10 twist (MHT80 treated) – (#2025-9345-M14SE)
• SEI op rod guide (MHT80 treated) – (#2068)
• NM spring guide – AMU style fabricated NM spring guide
• Handguard – Standard USGI part that was painted to match the fiberglass stock
• SEI scope mount with large NSN number and ‘US Property’ marked – (#2006)
• SEI rings, EDM type, 30mm, medium height – (#7008)
• Leupold & Stevens Mk4, FDE 3.5-10x scope w/ M2 turrets and TMR reticle
• USGI (HRA) op-rod
• USGI trigger group (WRA housing & TRW hammer) w/ SEI trigger job – (#2088)
• Springfield Armory Inc. receiver (151k, ~ 2003 vintage)
• Springfield Armory Inc. bolt w/ USGI chrome firing pin & SEI extractor
• Springfield Armory 8-dent NM rear sight w/ M14 pinion & NM hooded aperture
• SEI Extended bolt stop
• USGI fiberglass stock (I restored it w/ new enamel paint and a clear enamel)
• SEI Tri-rail system (SEI had previously milled the stock and installed the tri-rail) – (#2050)
• SEI tan/FDE cheek pad – (Didn’t think I’d be able to find this discontinued part, but got lucky this spring on the M14 forum)
• USGI M14 faux selector lock parts
• USGI M14 cleaning kit
• 1907 pattern leather sling – Turner NM (stamped ‘Crazy Horse’ by Ron Smith)
Brief History: Per Lee Emerson’s reference book, M14 Rifle History and Development (2019), Vol 1, pages 206-212, approximately 200 rack-grade M14 rifles were re-built/re-configured by Smith Enterprise for various U.S. Army and National Guard units, and were used in Iraq beginning in 2005 by the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID).
It should be noted that these were not designated as sniper rifles, but rather as Squad Designated Marksman (SDM) rifles, and their intended use was to engage targets out to 600 meters. (Per Army doctrine, a sniper rifle has to be capable of accurately engaging targets out to 900 meters). Optics on the initial 110 M14SE rifles were either a Leupold 1.5-5x20mm scope, or Leupold Mk 4, 3.5-10x40mm scope. (The 2ID subsequently updated their rifles so that all had the higher magnification 3.5-10x scopes).
In 2006 a slightly updated version with SEI-manufactured trigger pins, connector locks, SEI op rods, etc, were provided to the 502nd Infantry Regiment/101st Airborne Division, and the 25th Infantry Division as well. Apparently the first batch of the 2006 rifles had stainless steel Krieger medium weight DMR barrels, as the carbon steel SEI/Hart barrels were temporarily not available in the quick turnaround timeline required before deployment. The Leupold 3.5-10x40mm scope with flat dark earth (FDE) finish was used on these rifles, along with SEI sound suppressors.
In 2007 the US Army changed the designation from M14SE to M21A5. In addition, from 2007 to 2010 a small number of M14 rifles were converted to M21A5 rifles for various units being deployed; including the 10th Special Forces Group (three rifles), Vermont National Guard (three rifles), and the Nevada National Guard (six rifles). It is not clear when the M21A5s were withdrawn from service, but my guess is that may have occurred as the SAGE chassis-based M14 EBR-RI rifles were rolled out as the standard SDM rifle during 2008-2011.
Synopsis: It’s not a perfect replica, as I would have preferred to use an SEI receiver and an SEI op rod (if I could find one), along with the earlier SEI bipod with round knob instead of the newer style with a clamping lever, but I had a budget in mind for this build, so I used my spare SAI receiver and spare parts instead. Overall it ended up as a reasonably close replica of what was used by the US Army in the mid-to-late 200Xs. (As funds allow I plan on adding an SEI ‘Wind Talker’ sound suppressor to this project, so it will then be configured similar to the rifles used by the 101st Airborne). The M21A5 fits in my collection as a replica of a US Army M14-based SDM rifle from the post-M21 era. It was also likely the last combat M14 that used the old USGI brown fiberglass stocks, after which the more robust SAGE chassis-based M14 rifles were adopted by the U.S. Army and other branches. SEI noted that it shot 1-MOA with Hornady 168gr ELD match ammo, and hopefully I can take it the range later this month and see how it performs.
• SEI flash hider – M14 Direct Connect (DC) (#SEI Vortex 2000-V-A2)
• SEI integrated front sight and gas cylinder lock – (#2012)
• SEI “Warfighter” gas cylinder (MHT80 treated) – (#2072)
• SEI gas plug (MHT80 treated) – (#2076)
• SEI gas piston (hard chrome plated) – (#2075-SBR)
• SEI bipod (newer style with clamping lever) – (#2033)
• SEI/Hart medium weight barrel, carbon steel, 1:10 twist (MHT80 treated) – (#2025-9345-M14SE)
• SEI op rod guide (MHT80 treated) – (#2068)
• NM spring guide – AMU style fabricated NM spring guide
• Handguard – Standard USGI part that was painted to match the fiberglass stock
• SEI scope mount with large NSN number and ‘US Property’ marked – (#2006)
• SEI rings, EDM type, 30mm, medium height – (#7008)
• Leupold & Stevens Mk4, FDE 3.5-10x scope w/ M2 turrets and TMR reticle
• USGI (HRA) op-rod
• USGI trigger group (WRA housing & TRW hammer) w/ SEI trigger job – (#2088)
• Springfield Armory Inc. receiver (151k, ~ 2003 vintage)
• Springfield Armory Inc. bolt w/ USGI chrome firing pin & SEI extractor
• Springfield Armory 8-dent NM rear sight w/ M14 pinion & NM hooded aperture
• SEI Extended bolt stop
• USGI fiberglass stock (I restored it w/ new enamel paint and a clear enamel)
• SEI Tri-rail system (SEI had previously milled the stock and installed the tri-rail) – (#2050)
• SEI tan/FDE cheek pad – (Didn’t think I’d be able to find this discontinued part, but got lucky this spring on the M14 forum)
• USGI M14 faux selector lock parts
• USGI M14 cleaning kit
• 1907 pattern leather sling – Turner NM (stamped ‘Crazy Horse’ by Ron Smith)
Brief History: Per Lee Emerson’s reference book, M14 Rifle History and Development (2019), Vol 1, pages 206-212, approximately 200 rack-grade M14 rifles were re-built/re-configured by Smith Enterprise for various U.S. Army and National Guard units, and were used in Iraq beginning in 2005 by the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID).
It should be noted that these were not designated as sniper rifles, but rather as Squad Designated Marksman (SDM) rifles, and their intended use was to engage targets out to 600 meters. (Per Army doctrine, a sniper rifle has to be capable of accurately engaging targets out to 900 meters). Optics on the initial 110 M14SE rifles were either a Leupold 1.5-5x20mm scope, or Leupold Mk 4, 3.5-10x40mm scope. (The 2ID subsequently updated their rifles so that all had the higher magnification 3.5-10x scopes).
In 2006 a slightly updated version with SEI-manufactured trigger pins, connector locks, SEI op rods, etc, were provided to the 502nd Infantry Regiment/101st Airborne Division, and the 25th Infantry Division as well. Apparently the first batch of the 2006 rifles had stainless steel Krieger medium weight DMR barrels, as the carbon steel SEI/Hart barrels were temporarily not available in the quick turnaround timeline required before deployment. The Leupold 3.5-10x40mm scope with flat dark earth (FDE) finish was used on these rifles, along with SEI sound suppressors.
In 2007 the US Army changed the designation from M14SE to M21A5. In addition, from 2007 to 2010 a small number of M14 rifles were converted to M21A5 rifles for various units being deployed; including the 10th Special Forces Group (three rifles), Vermont National Guard (three rifles), and the Nevada National Guard (six rifles). It is not clear when the M21A5s were withdrawn from service, but my guess is that may have occurred as the SAGE chassis-based M14 EBR-RI rifles were rolled out as the standard SDM rifle during 2008-2011.
Synopsis: It’s not a perfect replica, as I would have preferred to use an SEI receiver and an SEI op rod (if I could find one), along with the earlier SEI bipod with round knob instead of the newer style with a clamping lever, but I had a budget in mind for this build, so I used my spare SAI receiver and spare parts instead. Overall it ended up as a reasonably close replica of what was used by the US Army in the mid-to-late 200Xs. (As funds allow I plan on adding an SEI ‘Wind Talker’ sound suppressor to this project, so it will then be configured similar to the rifles used by the 101st Airborne). The M21A5 fits in my collection as a replica of a US Army M14-based SDM rifle from the post-M21 era. It was also likely the last combat M14 that used the old USGI brown fiberglass stocks, after which the more robust SAGE chassis-based M14 rifles were adopted by the U.S. Army and other branches. SEI noted that it shot 1-MOA with Hornady 168gr ELD match ammo, and hopefully I can take it the range later this month and see how it performs.
Attachments
Last edited:
