"Short" M14 ???

[MR73]

I've seen a picture of a Springfield Armory SHORT M14.
Was there such a rifle built by the original Springfield Armory?
Or is this some type of "replica" that has lost inches on the way?

If original, anybody have details: intended use, qty made, differences, strengths & weaknesse etc. ?

Thanks!

 

[NMshooter]

Sounds like you saw a picture of a Springfield Armory Inc. SOCOM 16 or scout rifle, depending on whether it had a 16" barrel or 18".

Those are current production M-14 clones, called the M1A by Springfield.

 

[Onmilo]

Springfield Armory Inc. produces three variations of short M14 type rifles.
1. The 'Bush' rifle which is a conventional M1A with an 18" barrel.
2. the 'Scout Squad' rifle which is the same as the Bush rifle and includes a barrel mounted platform for forward mounting various optical sights.
3. the 'SOCOM' rifle which is a new design featuring a 16.25" barrel, a new design muzzle brake, the barrel mounted optic platform and choices in types of iron sights, Tritium, Match variations etc.

Harrington Richardson was an original Manufacturer of USGI M14 rifles that did experiment with short barrel variations of the rifle after user modified weapons began returning from Viet Nam so altered.
Springfield Armory did not conduct the experimentation with short barrel weapons, they stuck with standard rifles and Match altered varations along with development of sniper grade standard firearms.
Nothing ever came of the short barrel experiments in the time Military use of the M14 was most prevelant, though today short barrel variations of the weapon are being fielded by various Special Operation units deployed in various parts of the world.HTH

 

[DMK]

though today short barrel variations of the weapon are being fielded by various Special Operation units deployed in various parts of the world.

Are those commercial rifles or USGI M14s modified by military armorers?

 

[Commissar Gribb]

Are those commercial rifles or USGI M14s modified by military armorers?

I would guess a mix of both.

 

[NMshooter]

Smith Enterprises makes a number of shorty M-14 rifles out of customer supplied rifles.

I believe LaFrance does, or did, too.

Troy Arms offered an upgrade for the M-14, do not know if it is actually used by anyone.

 

[Jake]

Something like this?



http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=38795211

 

[Sunray]

It's a marketing thing. Just like a 'tanker' Garand. Massive muzzle flash and blast. Plus a significant decrease in velocity.

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

I would like a Socom 16 with a suppressor!

Short barrel equals less velocity, should equal easier to suppress. Now that would make a nice toy to have.

 

[Bigfoot]

A short barrel means more muzzle blast, so they are harder to suppress.

 

[Mannlicher]

I have been shooting my SA SOCOM for over a year now. I don't seen a noticable increase in muzzle flash or blast. Accuracy is exellent, keeping three shot groups in less than 1.5 inches at 100 meters. There is not a 'huge' drop in velocity either, maybe a couple of hundred fps.
I like mine a lot. My SOCOM has an EOTech sight mounted in the Scout position. I have found it to be a most exellent hog hunting rifle.

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

Big Foot, You are wrong...Technically you are wrong

A short barrel will accept a suppressor just as easily as a long one. If you mean the,"report" will be louder from a shorter barrel, then that goes without saying since when you shrink/shorten the barrel, you bring the sound of the weapon's ammo going super sonic,That Much Closer to Your Ear. Of course a short barrel won't be AS quiet as a longer barrel ,but it will not be harder to suppress, especially with subsonic ammo loadings.

PS-Maybe we are debating semantics as my definition of suppress means to noticably lower the report of a weapon, not to make a silent fart sound like the movies... A suppressed M4 that sounds like a .22 semi when shooting full power 5.56x45 is still suppressed right?(just not "silenced" like the movies )...

PSS-BIg Foot-After thinking about it maybe you mean harder in respect to costing more money(not actually physically being harder to suppress) to get the desired effect of HOW MUCH LOWER you want the report? Short barrels are more expensive to get the report down to non-hearing protection levels, IMHO, but not harder to snap a suppressor on and have the report drop some decibels....

 

[Onmilo]

A shorter barrel means that a longer and more effective noise reducing suppressor can be used on the weapon without making the rifle unwieldy.
In reality, short barrel rifles can be quieter or just as quiet, as standard barrel rifles when coupled to a sound suppressor.
Shorter barrels do induce greater perceived blast than longer barrels but modern electronic hearing protectors make that a moot point.
Designs are being tested that are lighter, smaller, and can be fitted directly to the headgear.
Modern designs in flash suppressors make excessive flash from short barrel rifles another moot issue.

 

[meef]

I like mine a lot. My SOCOM has an EOTech sight mounted in the Scout position. I have found it to be a most exellent hog hunting rifle.

I recently purchased a SOCOM and couldn't be happier with it. It has absolutely become one of my favorite rifles.

I've been alternately talking myself into/out of putting an EOTech on it, but mostly keep hesitating because of the price. Also, the Aimpoint seems to have a lot of followers for this rifle. I've heard the EOTech sits a bit high...?

Would you mind taking a moment or two to help convince me why I clearly need the EOTech?