Hadn't know Hathcock used an M14. Wouldn't that be unusual to have an officer spotter for an NCO sniper? I would imagine most on ET have never shot an M14. It was adopted to be "lighter with a bigger magazine" than the M1 Garand (which is basically a 30.06) clip. The M14's effective range was a bit less than the M1, but the lighter weight was supposed to make up for it. Eventually, after realizing most firefights occur within 300 yards, the military adopted the M16... lighter still and the soldier can carry more rounds.
Liberals, who think that a criminals political party isn't relevant if the criminal is a democrat, or that a criminal's color isn't important if the criminal is black, decide that there are some things that need to stop being hidden. New York Times: Stop Hiding Images of American Torture
The marines loved their M14s and pitched quite a fit when they were issued M16s. But the lightweight ammo and relative accuracy slowly won them over. They had to get very particular about cleaning the M16 daily. Once they got a little more focused on the cleaning ritual it was a good performer. I have a decoration for expert marksmanship with M16 but so did just about anybody who shot the thing regularly as it is so accurate. I still prefer a main battle rifle and have the same semi-auto variant of the M14 that Lucrum has. Just iron sights, nothing fancy but I definitely feel safe with a proper rifle. When I see a liberal numbskull like futurecurrents spit and hiss and sputter with abject hatred I know I'm on the right track. The left seems to resent folks who can defend themselves. I'm not clear on why but it can't be anything good. LOL evidently he removed his post.
Very normal. CO's could spot for the better shooting NCO. Or visa versa, of course. Happens to this day. M14 is outstanding to shoot, and is my favorite .308 ever made. M14 does go full auto, so civilians often mistakenly (is normal-Flooded gun market = confusion), call an M1A/M1A1, or their variants M14's. thing I'd never want on an M14 is a full auto selector. WAY too uncontrollable! Fun to rock n roll with, dumping 20 rounds of knock down .308, but completely useless for accuracy. Kind of ironic isn't it? A tack-driving semi auto capable delivering a message at great distance, but like an unleashed water hose on full auto; wouldn't hit a garage door at 50 meters, lol!
That's a fact. And until the M16A1, the jams, and sheer malfunctions resulting in many deaths meant clean daily, and prayer.. A lot! My Dad was Army-Vietnam, trained on M14, then handed M16 in country. Upper receiver was a piece of shit from his descriptions. Have some pics of him with a bottle of solvent in his helmet band.
Luke already posted above re M1A being a semi auto. I need to start reading the threads above the one I'm quoting, before posting. Sorry Luke.
You know this, of course.... but for those who don't... the "malfunctions" problem was solved by chroming the chamber/barrel. You'd think they would have caught that in testing before distributing to the troops.