The M14 replaced the M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M1918 BAR and M3 Grease Gun, but was itself (nominally) replaced by the M16 in the early 1960s. (Photos: Spc. Brandon Dyer/U.S. Army)
The Fort Myer, Virginia-based 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment is one of the few Army units still using the M14 in large numbers, and they put sweat equity into keeping them looking good.
Though the unit serves as a rapid response force for the Military District of Washington and deploys elements overseas– for which they keep an armory of M4s around–the “Old Guard” is also performs ceremonial duties throughout the capitol region such as performing burial honors at Arlington and mounting the Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknowns. For these tasks, the regiment keeps a large cache of M14 rifles.
Since the venerable 7.62x51mm battle rifle ended production in 1964, keeping the 50-year old vets in top shape takes regular work, as witnessed in these images posted by the unit this week performing Weapons Maintenance. That’s one thing about the M4, not a lot of sanding and linseed oil used there.
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