@risby1930
My father was a cold warrior and spent most his 22 years in SAC under Curtis LeMay who was a huge proponent of the M-16. My dad's troops hated lugging a M-14 around the perimeter fence for hours on end. Whenever possible he issued M-1 carbines and really preferred the M-16 when it came along. If they had to get in the weeds, he preferred shotguns. Different tools for different situations.
@TexasTeaHTX
Take it from an infantryman, carrying more rounds to put down range in a lighter package is a winner. Nobody is taking precise shot in an ambush.
@edporter9355
Two different worlds. In the Pacific ( IWO JIMA ) It was mud, jungle ( limited sight range), rain, volcanic ash for soil so they started using the M1. In Korea, there was mud, mountains, climbing mountains in freezing conditions so the M1 was practical, In Viet Nam it was the same as Iwo Jima plus rice paddies, and same sighting distances so the lighter weight rifle ( 556) was practical. I have both calibers and I will always default to the 308 here in this country. As far as an AK goes, I have never found one that felt comfortable or balanced to hold so I have never bought one nor intend to do so. The caliber is now available in the AR platforms so that could be different but my preference is still the 308.
@VulcanGunner
What is the mission requirement? Long periods of marching up and down hills, thru the bush / enemy at mid to close range, M16. More stationary / vehicle movement with enemy engagements out to 800 meters, M14. Both have their good points.
@biggerbehindthetrigger2814
They both have their places in the world. Both are great rifles.
@Goldenwithaleash
The M16/AR15 platform is definitely what I’d grab if I could only choose one but the M14/M1A still holds a special place in my collection. I have the same wood stocked Scout Squad model and it’s great.
@Oregun44
My grandpa was one of the few that were issued an M1 Carbine. He loved it over there, he said that a lot of guys were jealous of him. Being in a jungle and not having to engage long distance made the m1 carbine shine.
@menscrisiscenter3960
My neighbor said with all the issues with the M16 in the beginning, that when they took our M14s we went to the next best thing. The enemies AK. He also said that a vast majority of VC he saw had an SKS not an AK. Said they figured it out but for wartime the M14 with a fiberglass stock was fine. Worked well.
@ericsfishingadventures4433
Never stop educating people about firearms and the importance and history of them! That goes for everyone out there!
@jessicasimp4459
For me, definitely the M16, and my favorite M16 version is the M16A3, which is basically an M16A2 without the infamous burst setting therefore retaining the simple full auto setting. And I really love the black synthetic furniture because the black color for me looks like the darker version of purple, and it makes the M16 look simple and beautiful.
@jessicasimp4459
And the M16 does have a major advantage… the lower receiver is the only component to be considered the firearm by itself, so for the M16s that are made as transferables before 1986, the lower receiver can be configured into almost any M16 derivative. For instance, an older M16A1 can be configured into a modern M4 just by fitting the M4 specific components onto the same M16A1 lower, and therefore having a transferable “M4”. Also, the M16A1 can be configured into an M16A2, A3, or A4 just by changing the upper receiver, and therefore having the desired look.
@daryoushsameyah8329
No contest! M-14 wins all the way! Hands down, every day, and twice on Sunday! M-14 wins.
@anthonyyoung6433
When I went to S.A.M.I. School I was much more experienced and comfortable with the M-14 yet scored 6 points higher on M-16. It’s much easier to shoot well.
@retiredarmyoffley1777
The M14 issued to me in 1965 had a fiberglass stock
@l0rd0f5k33p
M14 all the way
@fiveowaf454
The actual history of the M14 is that it was always a stop gap until they came up with some universal battle rifle that could fulfil multiple roles, I forget the exact name the project was given, but in the end they never developed such a firearm in the timescale. So the M14 was intended to be replaced, as opposed to being superseded prematurely due to any deficiency in the design. I think it was the Navy who had bought an early version of the M16 and so that route was pursued, with a lot of political intervention as to the choice that was made. When we ask the question which is best, we need to add the proviso of "which is the best at what?". I have both and they are both great rifles, depending on what the intended use is. In a military role the M16 family of rifles have become successful, because the nature of combat has changed, the M14 is from the era following WW2 where troops were fighting in more wide open spaces where longer range capability was more important.
@MegaBob312
As a former Marine and nam vet in '67 I did not like the m16 . they used the wrong powder that jammed it often. The m14 was better also at long distance. They tried to make us switch to the m16, but I kept my m14 hidden and used it.
@davidleatherneck
Ya, I remember that 16 dust cover. Most soldiers removed it immediately because it would stick closed and cause a jam. I kept my M14. Great for long range. It made me an expert shooter. Nam 67-68 USMC.
@ravissary79
Love the gas system on the m14. Gorgeous rifle.
@bbkyjohnson