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Was UKSF or at least the SAS not meant to be either switching to or incorporating the M14 rifle into their useage a while back,I'm sure I heard rumour of it at one point?
I remember seeing a programme on the NZ or AUS SAS and it was their primary weapon of choice as its a 7.62 rather than 5.56.
Any ideas troops?

KP.

I can't see why they should switch to the M14, the only reason the Yanks still have it is because they have so many of them.

If the UK were to field a semi-auto 7.62 rifle again, surely they'd look at using the SLR (of which they still have many in storage), or alternatively go the same way as Canada and purchase new AR-10 type rifles.

T_T

The M-14 is being manufactured again in the US by the Springfield Armory.
Considered by many as a far superior weapon than the AR-15/M-16 family.
Reasonably light compared to the SLR a lot of Sheriff/Police Dept's prefer the heavier and slower round.
IMHO NATO should have gone ahead with the 7mm instead of being bullied by the US into the 5.56.
(Hark at me,Railing against my own country)

TT,You have a PM inbound.

surely they'd look at using the SLR

Ah, the thump to the shoulder, the wrecked eardrums when I forgot my ear defenders on the range and reeled a few off.. I remember those days well

Didn't they bring out SA80 in 1984 to replace the SLR?

No they brought sa80 out so thatcher could sell off the royal ordnance
factories didn't matter if it worked .
Springfield armouries build a high quality m14 as a civvy target rifle and as a military /law enforcement rifle .Its good for long range shooting.
the yanks have shortened the barrel of the m16 to make the m4 and thats reduced the velocity of the 5.56mm .Fortunatly sa80 dosent have that problem.

kanedaRMC wrote:the SAS use any weapon of their choice right? I was told this by a submariner so i may be wrong.

We dont get a new standard issue until 2015 what do you think we will be getting?

By a rather bizarre coincidence I was recently told by an ex sapper that submariners can eat whatever they like for breakfast...........as long as it isn't bubble and squeak.

T_T

The M14 is mostly used in the sniper role within the US mil.

SO19 wrote:The M14 is mostly used in the sniper role within the US mil.

Not exactly, it is however used by the number two on their sniper teams, and as a 'designated marksman's rifle' by their infantry.

I'm afraid I think you're all rather confused. The M14 is not even in service yet but if Rupert Candy gets his chubby way then the A14 could well see a much needed upgrade, especially junctions with the A1 and M6/M1 as "it's far too important for an A-road".

See this VERY interesting website. Try not to get too sucked into it though as I did, I can't get Ian Smith's exciting proposition of extending the M50 out of my head and am currently struggling to contain the excitement which is leading to sleepless night after sleepless night.

Ho hum...

Greg.

training corporal told me, more than a few years ago now, that they stopped using the 7.62 because its stopping power was s**t, rounds were just going straight through the target, so 5.56 because it tumbles and makes more of a mess

From your post I get the feeling that the training corporal has only known the SA80 and not the SLR!

Yes, he is correct when he says that the rounds go straight through the target. A Fig 11 target!!!

To say that the stopping power of the 7.62 was s**t is a load of rubbish.

When the 5.56 Armalite first came out, it was said that the round tumbled and if it hit your finger would 'tumble' up your arm and take it off??????

I for one would have no wish to be hit by a 7.62 or 5.56, in fact not even a .177. They all hurt.

Not to mention wax loads.

Rover

TheRabbit wrote:training corporal told me, more than a few years ago now, that they stopped using the 7.62 because its stopping power was s**t, rounds were just going straight through the target, so 5.56 because it tumbles and makes more of a mess

Complete rubbish! If you ever fired an SLR or were on the end of a 7.62mm round you would know why they called them the "limb remover"

only passing on what i was told, an this guy had been in long enough to use both the SLR and the SA80, said he much prefered the SA80, i bow down before greater experience and wisdom, i am however hoping never to be hit by any size of round

TheRabbit wrote: i am however hoping never to be hit by any size of round

Ahhh...one of those round dodger's eh?! You make me sick... 5 pints down and suddenly you remember you left the water running and have to nip home...