Inspiration for this retro Vietnam era M14 project was information written by then First Lieutenant Louis Garavaglia on the right, who wrote the following article for the January 1968 issue of American Rifleman magazine. Mr. Garavaglia is still around (long retired) and I contacted him via email a couple of years ago to ask him a few questions about his recollections. I based my project on his article, and what he told me about those improvised M14A1 sniper rifles circa 1967...
Here's the excerpt from the above article: “Snipers in Vietnam Also Need Firepower,” by Louis A. Garavaglia, American Rifleman, January 1968, pages 18-19:
“During my Vietnam tour of duty as a first lieutenant with the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Company of the 4th Division, U.S. Army, a sniper detachment was made an organic part of our unit. All who volunteered for this had firearms knowledge and experience before entering the Army.
The detachment was divided into 3-man teams which usually operated at considerable distances from conventional troop units. If spotted and attacked while moving to or from an objective, the team was on its own. Its survival dependent on being able to deliver ample firepower.
At first the sniper detachment had no standardized Table of Organization and Equipment and so we had plenty of latitude in our choice of weapons. This let us intensively range test the Winchester 70 and Remington Model 700, the scoped bolt actions used by Marine snipers, and compare them with the M14, M16A1, and 3 versions of the Russian AK-47 Assault Rifle. (My note: The author is pictured with a captured Czech Model 58 Assault rifle, so I suspect that may have been one of the three variants tested).
Our area of operations, the Central Highlands, ran the gamut from very dense to very sparse vegetation. The bolt actions would have been ideal for the 800-to 1000-meter shots the later areas afforded, but they couldn’t deliver the volume punch the 3-man teams needed to fight their way out of jungle ambushes.
The M16A1 functioned well when kept cleaned and lubricated properly, and had the added advantage of light-weight ammunition; the AK-47s scored high in ruggedness and the capacity to function even with deteriorated ammunition. But we finally settled on a modified version of the M14.
The M14s, all made by Harrington & Richardson, were modified as follows:
On missions, M14-armed snipers carried nine 20-round magazines loaded 18 rounds to the magazine: 2 (mags) of the match-grade ammunition; the remaining 7 (mags) were loaded with the 7.62mm “duplex” round. In a fire fight, snipers would eject the match-grade, switch to “duplex” and flip the selector switch to full-automatic for volume fire.”
***
I found the details of that 1968 article interesting as it was written by an informed solider who clearly knew all the operational details and specific configuration of the improvised M14A1 sniper rifles that were used by the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Company of the 4th Division. (And when he wrote it, he wasn’t relying on distant memories from decades prior – it was near real time – early 1968.) Anyhow, here’s my retro tribute project that I have pieced together:
I used vintage H&R parts for this replica to the extent possible. (The "T" marked Torrington/H&R gas cylinder had been unitized on an old SAI Supermatch rifle, so that modification is not quite correct, but it's the only H&R/ Torrington gas cylinder that I own). Barrel is 1961 dated H&R barrel. Not shown here but the trigger group and rear sight base are also an H&R parts.
The walnut SA stock is well used, and probably made in 1964. The only thing I did to it was add a coat of Pure Tung Oil. Upper right is a 1968 dated M14A1 cleaning kit, as these ‘E2’ stocks did have not any provision for storage in the buttstock, so a separate cleaning kit was developed.
Ammo on top center with green tip is 1965 dated D198 Duplex ammo and it's pretty rare, but that's what the LRRP used on patrols. The ammo on bottom right is 1966 dated M118 match ammo, which they also carried with their improvised M14A1 sniper rifles back in 1967.
There were two types of knobs on the 1967 era AWC scope mounts, a large diameter thumb knob, and a smaller diameter knob with a screw-driver style slotted head. The 1968 article mentioned the use of "coin slotted" knob, which is what is seen here with my vintage mount. Mr. Garavaglia did not recall if ventilated handguards were used on their M14A1 sniper rifles, but I am using one on this project for aesthetic reasons. The walnut SA M14A1 stock has lot of patina/character/wood patch repair from it's previous service life. It took a while, but I was able to put all USGI stock hardware on it, aside from the repo rubber buttpad.
I thought it was sort-of interesting that Mr. Garavaglia wrote that they used the flimsy XM3 aluminum bipods designed for the M16A1, but then again, they are definitely lighter than the M2 bipod. He also told me that he didn't recall seeing any of the M14A1 muzzle stabilizer devices on their rifles, so I didn't put one on this replica either. As a period correct accessory, an Imperial M6 bayonet is also shown.
Final project pics, as configured and used back in 1967 on US Army Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LLRP) in the central highlands of Vietnam. The final touch I found is a 1962 dated leather cheek pad with appropriate patina. Just need to replace the back leather rawhide tie-down straps with dark brown leather.
The Army Weapons Command (AWC) mount + M84 scope set is off-set slightly to the left (.i.e, the optic is not mounted directly over the bore), so the cheek pad was often used on these 'improvised M14 sniper rifles’ to improve the ergonomics of the check-weld.
Part of me wants to use this replica in the CMP's new ‘Category B’ vintage sniper match that allows rifles in service circa 1954-1976. I know my scores would get spanked by guys with nice M40 replicas and XM21 rifles with 3-9x scopes - but maybe I'll try it at some point...maybe.
Quick note about the above rifle vs the later XM21 sniper rifles. The M14s with the AWC mount and little 2.2x M84 scopes were always a 'stop-gap' measure, as Big Army was developing and testing a more formal M14-based sniper rifle in the 1967-69 era. That rifle became known as the XM21 circa September 1969, and it was largely based on the National Match (NM) M14 rifle, but also equipped with a special 3-9X AR-TEL (Adjustable-Range telescope). Below is my replica of the original 1962 NM M14 (top), and the 1969 era XM21 (bottom). I added this last paragraph w/ picture to provide additional context on the history of the early M14 sniper rifles, which ranged from rack grade M14s or M14A1s with the antiquated M84 scope + AWC mount, to the fully-accurized XM21 fitted with a modern 3-9x scope optimized for M118 match ammo.
Apologizes for the verbosity, and Happy New Year.
Here's the excerpt from the above article: “Snipers in Vietnam Also Need Firepower,” by Louis A. Garavaglia, American Rifleman, January 1968, pages 18-19:
“During my Vietnam tour of duty as a first lieutenant with the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Company of the 4th Division, U.S. Army, a sniper detachment was made an organic part of our unit. All who volunteered for this had firearms knowledge and experience before entering the Army.
The detachment was divided into 3-man teams which usually operated at considerable distances from conventional troop units. If spotted and attacked while moving to or from an objective, the team was on its own. Its survival dependent on being able to deliver ample firepower.
At first the sniper detachment had no standardized Table of Organization and Equipment and so we had plenty of latitude in our choice of weapons. This let us intensively range test the Winchester 70 and Remington Model 700, the scoped bolt actions used by Marine snipers, and compare them with the M14, M16A1, and 3 versions of the Russian AK-47 Assault Rifle. (My note: The author is pictured with a captured Czech Model 58 Assault rifle, so I suspect that may have been one of the three variants tested).
Our area of operations, the Central Highlands, ran the gamut from very dense to very sparse vegetation. The bolt actions would have been ideal for the 800-to 1000-meter shots the later areas afforded, but they couldn’t deliver the volume punch the 3-man teams needed to fight their way out of jungle ambushes.
The M16A1 functioned well when kept cleaned and lubricated properly, and had the added advantage of light-weight ammunition; the AK-47s scored high in ruggedness and the capacity to function even with deteriorated ammunition. But we finally settled on a modified version of the M14.
The M14s, all made by Harrington & Richardson, were modified as follows:
- Selector switches were installed, to provide volume firepower capability.
- Straight-line stocks designed for the M14E2 were mounted. With no drop at the comb and an almost vertical pistol grip, these were more comfortable for use with a scope than the standard stock and gave better control of fully-automatic fire.
- M84 2.2X scopes were attached by a single, heavy coin-slotted screw which engages the hole in the left side of the M14 receiver. The scope has a sliding sunshade and detachable rubber eyepiece. Its reticle is a tapering vertical post with horizontal crosshair. The scope showed a tendency to slip out of zero when first used, but we solved the problem by removing all lubricant from the contact points. Rust was preferable to inaccuracy.
- Light clamp-on bipods designed for the M16A1 were substituted for the bipods originally made for the M14 because we felt the latter were unnecessarily heavy. The clamp-on bipod snaps neatly onto the M14 gas cylinder just in front of the spindle valve.
On missions, M14-armed snipers carried nine 20-round magazines loaded 18 rounds to the magazine: 2 (mags) of the match-grade ammunition; the remaining 7 (mags) were loaded with the 7.62mm “duplex” round. In a fire fight, snipers would eject the match-grade, switch to “duplex” and flip the selector switch to full-automatic for volume fire.”
***
I found the details of that 1968 article interesting as it was written by an informed solider who clearly knew all the operational details and specific configuration of the improvised M14A1 sniper rifles that were used by the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Company of the 4th Division. (And when he wrote it, he wasn’t relying on distant memories from decades prior – it was near real time – early 1968.) Anyhow, here’s my retro tribute project that I have pieced together:
I used vintage H&R parts for this replica to the extent possible. (The "T" marked Torrington/H&R gas cylinder had been unitized on an old SAI Supermatch rifle, so that modification is not quite correct, but it's the only H&R/ Torrington gas cylinder that I own). Barrel is 1961 dated H&R barrel. Not shown here but the trigger group and rear sight base are also an H&R parts.
The walnut SA stock is well used, and probably made in 1964. The only thing I did to it was add a coat of Pure Tung Oil. Upper right is a 1968 dated M14A1 cleaning kit, as these ‘E2’ stocks did have not any provision for storage in the buttstock, so a separate cleaning kit was developed.
Ammo on top center with green tip is 1965 dated D198 Duplex ammo and it's pretty rare, but that's what the LRRP used on patrols. The ammo on bottom right is 1966 dated M118 match ammo, which they also carried with their improvised M14A1 sniper rifles back in 1967.
There were two types of knobs on the 1967 era AWC scope mounts, a large diameter thumb knob, and a smaller diameter knob with a screw-driver style slotted head. The 1968 article mentioned the use of "coin slotted" knob, which is what is seen here with my vintage mount. Mr. Garavaglia did not recall if ventilated handguards were used on their M14A1 sniper rifles, but I am using one on this project for aesthetic reasons. The walnut SA M14A1 stock has lot of patina/character/wood patch repair from it's previous service life. It took a while, but I was able to put all USGI stock hardware on it, aside from the repo rubber buttpad.
I thought it was sort-of interesting that Mr. Garavaglia wrote that they used the flimsy XM3 aluminum bipods designed for the M16A1, but then again, they are definitely lighter than the M2 bipod. He also told me that he didn't recall seeing any of the M14A1 muzzle stabilizer devices on their rifles, so I didn't put one on this replica either. As a period correct accessory, an Imperial M6 bayonet is also shown.
Final project pics, as configured and used back in 1967 on US Army Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LLRP) in the central highlands of Vietnam. The final touch I found is a 1962 dated leather cheek pad with appropriate patina. Just need to replace the back leather rawhide tie-down straps with dark brown leather.
The Army Weapons Command (AWC) mount + M84 scope set is off-set slightly to the left (.i.e, the optic is not mounted directly over the bore), so the cheek pad was often used on these 'improvised M14 sniper rifles’ to improve the ergonomics of the check-weld.
Part of me wants to use this replica in the CMP's new ‘Category B’ vintage sniper match that allows rifles in service circa 1954-1976. I know my scores would get spanked by guys with nice M40 replicas and XM21 rifles with 3-9x scopes - but maybe I'll try it at some point...maybe.
Quick note about the above rifle vs the later XM21 sniper rifles. The M14s with the AWC mount and little 2.2x M84 scopes were always a 'stop-gap' measure, as Big Army was developing and testing a more formal M14-based sniper rifle in the 1967-69 era. That rifle became known as the XM21 circa September 1969, and it was largely based on the National Match (NM) M14 rifle, but also equipped with a special 3-9X AR-TEL (Adjustable-Range telescope). Below is my replica of the original 1962 NM M14 (top), and the 1969 era XM21 (bottom). I added this last paragraph w/ picture to provide additional context on the history of the early M14 sniper rifles, which ranged from rack grade M14s or M14A1s with the antiquated M84 scope + AWC mount, to the fully-accurized XM21 fitted with a modern 3-9x scope optimized for M118 match ammo.
Apologizes for the verbosity, and Happy New Year.
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