Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle
Mk.14 EBR | |
---|---|
M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle - Rock Island | |
Type | Battle rifle, designated marksman rifle[1] |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
In service | 2004[2]–Present |
Used by | See Users |
Wars |
War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
Production history | |
Designer |
Mike Rock and Jim Ribordy (Original)[2] Smith Enterprise, Inc. (Current)[2] |
Designed | 2001 |
Manufacturer |
Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division[3] Smith Enterprise Inc.(Supplying parts)[2] Sage International (For the stock)[4] |
Specifications | |
Weight | 11.24 lb (5.1 kg)[5] |
Length | 35 in (889 mm)[5] |
Barrel length | 18 in (457 mm) (Mod 0),[5] 22 in (558.8 mm) (Mod 1) (EBR-RI) |
| |
Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | Shooter Dependent/ Full Auto 725 RPM |
Muzzle velocity | 853 m/s (2,800 ft/s) |
Effective firing range |
500 m (547 yd) 800+ m (875 yd) (with optics) |
Maximum firing range | 2.5 miles (4.23 kilometers) (Confirmed/Point Target); 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) (Unconfirmed/Area Target) |
Feed system | 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine |
Sights | Modified M14 iron sights, normally used with a magnifying scope. |
The Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) is an American selective fire military designated marksman rifle chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It is a variant of the M14 battle rifle and was originally built for use with units of the United States Special Operations Command, such as the United States Navy SEALs, Delta Force, and task specific ODA units.[6][7]
The EBRs are made with the intention of carrying out both designated marksman and CQB roles in combat. Since 2010, the U.S. Army has made available two M14 EBR-RI rifles per infantry platoon for units deploying to Afghanistan. The M14 EBR-RI has a standard weight 22.0" barrel and lugged GI flash hider; it is not to be confused with the Mk 14 Mod 0 or Mod 1.
History
The creation of the Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) began in 2000 after a request by United States Navy SEALs for a more compact M14 battle rifle.[8] In 2001, Mike Rock Rifle Barrels, Inc. was the only rifle barrel maker asked by United States Special Operations Command to participate in a SOPMOD conference to create what would be the Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR, with details that include a collapsible stock that was requested for the new rifle and with aluminum body with telescopic rails. [2] Mike Rock collaborated with engineer Jim Ribordy to make the new rifle. Tests showed that their rifle was effective, but had excessive noise problems.[2]
In 2003, Ron Smith and Smith Enterprise, Inc. created its own version of the M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (MK14 SEI),[9] which used a medium heavy weight 18.0" barrel and was more widely favored than the rifle made by Rock and Ribordy. The Smith Enterprise-based MK14 was then used as a basis to eventually create the Mk 14 Mod 0 with Springfield Armory, Inc. being tasked to supply the necessary machinery needed to create the weapon[2] in cooperation with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division.[10]
United States Navy SEALs were the first forces to be armed with the EBR in 2004, followed by the U.S. Coast Guard.[2] The U.S. Army is also being armed with the M14EBR-RI, being created and updated by the Weapons Product Support Integration Directorate of the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command at the Keith L. Ware Test Facility in Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois;[11][12] having fielded approximately 5,000 units by mid-2010.[13] United States Marine Corps units were also considering the EBR,[14] but wound up instead developing the M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle.
The rifle has seen limited service outside of the U.S., primarily with the Australian SASR in their Afghanistan deployment.[15]
Design
The weapon takes the standard M14 action and replaces the standard 22.0" barrel with an 18.0" barrel, The barreled action is then bolted into a telescoping chassis stock system,[6] with a pistol grip,[11] a different front sight, Harris bipod,[11] four Picatinny accessory rails (which surround the barrel),[6][10][14] and a more effective flash hider in place of the standard lugged USGI flash suppressor.[16] A paddle-type bolt stop similar to that of the M4 carbine is used on the rifle.[10] The EBR chassis system stock is made up entirely of lightweight aircraft alloy.[17]
A Kydex hand guard and M68 CCO are also added as standard external accessories, though they are almost always replaced with a vertical foregrip and magnifying scope for better handling and for use in a designated marksman role. A Wind Talker suppressor can be mounted on the DC Vortex flash hider,[18] though the U.S. military did not adopt one to active service.[2]
Sage International had some involvement in the decision of whether to invest approximately $120,000 in an injection mold incorporating into the design the rail attachments or machine the replacement stock from a solid billet of aluminum with the latter being selected, which was then shown at the SHOT Show in Orlando in 2003.[19]
Configurations
Several configurations are allowed on the Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR, among them include the attachment of the AN/PVS-4 night vision scope.[20] Others had included the capability of adding two different scopes/sights on the Picatinny rails, for more precision or zoom level.[20]
Variants
Following the development of the Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR, several variants of the M14 rifle utilizing the Sage Chassis System have been developed and fielded by various branches of the U.S. military. A summary of variants, and the components utilized in each, are as follows:
Mk 14 Mod 0[21] | Mk 14 Mod 0 / Mk 14 SEI [22] | Mk 14 Mod 1[23] | Mk 14 Mod 2[23] | M39 EMR[24] | M14 EBR-RI[25] | M14 EBR-RI NM[26] | M14 T[27] | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Branch of Service | US Navy and US Air Force | US Air Force | US Navy | US Navy | US Marine Corps | US Army | US Army | US Coast Guard |
Years Built | 2004 – 2005 | 2004 – 2008 | 2006 | 2011 | 2007 | 2008 – 2011 | 2010 | 2005 |
Builder | NSWC Crane | Smith Enterprise, Inc. | NSWC Crane | NSWC Crane | PWS Quantico | Rock Island Arsenal – TACOM | Rock Island Arsenal – TACOM | NSWC Crane |
Quantity Built | 1000 | 125 (rebuilt Mk 14 Mod 0 rifles) | 500 | ~ 250 | 700 | 6200 | not available | 500 |
Chassis | Sage M14ALCS | Sage M14ALCS (Milled Rail) | Sage M14ALCS/CV | Sage M14ALCS/PMRI-HB | Sage M14ALCS (Milled Rail) | Sage M14ALCS | Sage M14ALCS/PMRI | Sage M14ALCS |
Color | NSG | NSG | Tan | NSG | NSG | Black (NSG – rare) | Black | NSG |
Pistol Grip | Sage 90905 | Sage 90905 | TangoDown BG-16 FDE | Sage M14ERGO | Sage 90905 | Sage M14ERGO | Sage M14ERGO | Sage 90905 |
Handguard | Black Full | Black Full | Tan Short | Black Full | Tan Full (Black Full - rare) | Black Full | Black Full | Black Full |
Vertical Fore Grip | Sage M14VFG (90906) | Sage M14VFG (90906) | TangoDown BGV-MK46 FDE | - | - | Sage M14VFG (90906) | - | Sage M14VFG (90906) |
Butt Stock | Sage M14ALCS-BS | Sage M14ALCS-BS | Sage M14ALCS/CV-BS | Sage M14ALCS/PMRI-BS | Sage M14ALCS-BS | Sage M14ALCS-BS | Sage M14ALCS/PMRI-BS | Sage M14ALCS-BS |
Butt Stock Extension | - | - | - | Sage M14VABEK/PMRI | Sage M14BEK (90911) | - | - | - |
Selector Switch/Lock | Switch | Switch | Switch | Lock | Lock | Lock | Lock | Switch |
Barrel | SAI 18" Std. 1-11 ("Bush") | SEI 18" Std./Med. 1-10 | SAI 18" Std. 1-11 ("Bush") | 22" Heavy 1-10 | Krieger 22" Med. 1-12 (DMR) | USGI 22" Std. | SEI 22" Med. 1-10 | USGI 22" Std. |
Flash Hider | SEI 2000V | SEI 2000V | SureFire FH762KM14 | SEI 2000V | USGI (NM) | USGI (NM) | USGI (NM) | SEI 2001 |
Suppressor | M14 Direct Connect sound suppressor | M14 Direct Connect sound suppressor | SureFire 762K-DE | Wind Talker sound suppressor | - | - | - | - |
Front Sight | XS USN2 (11-2166-580-1) | XS USN2 (11-2166-580-1) | XS USN2 (11-2166-580-1) | - | USGI (NM .062) | USGI (NM - rare) | USGI (NM - rare) | XS USN2 (11-2166-580-1) |
Rear Sight | XS Large Aperture (0.125") | XS Large Aperture (0.125") | XS Large Aperture (0.125") | - | USGI (NM - rare) | USGI (NM - rare) | USGI (NM - rare) | XS Large Aperture (0.125") |
Gas Lock | SEI 2013 (GLFS-D-18) | SEI 2013 (GLFS-D-18) | SEI 2013 (GLFS-D-18) | USGI | USGI | USGI | USGI | USGI |
Gas System | USGI | SEI 2071, 2075, 2076 | USGI | SEI 2071, 2075, 2076 | USGI | USGI | SEI 2071, 2075, 2076 | USGI |
Op Rod Spring Guide | USGI | USGI | USGI | USGI (NM) | USGI (NM) | USGI | USGI | USGI |
Bolt Stop/Release | SEI 2003 | SEI 2003 | SEI 2003 | SEI 2003 | USGI | USGI | USGI | SEI 2003 |
Optic | Leupold Mk 4 1.5-5x (67905) | Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x (67940) | Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x24mm FC-2 w/ZeroStop | Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50mm MIL-DOT w/ZeroStop | S&B 3-12x50mm (M8541) | Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x (51850) | Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x (51850) | S&B 1.1-4x PM ShortDot |
Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x (51850) | AN/PVS-27 Night Vision (MUNS) | |||||||
Scope Rings | Badger 306-29 (30mm) | SEI 7008 (30mm) | Nightforce A118 (30mm) | Nightforce A107 (30mm) | Badger 306-75 (34mm) | Leupold 61049 (30mm) | Leupold 61049 (30mm) | LaRue LT-139 (30mm – Lever) |
Scope Mount | Sage M14SCSB | SEI 2006 | Larue LT-608 | NSWC Crane | SEI 2006 | Sage M14DCSB | Sage M14DCSB | LaRue LT-139 (30mm – Lever) |
Bipod | Harris 1A2-BRM | Harris 1A2-BRM | Tangodown ACB-4 FDE | Atlas BT10 or BT10-LW17 | Harris S-BRM | Harris 1A2-L | Harris 1A2-L | Harris S-BR or S-BRM |
Bipod Adapter | KAC 98060 | KAC 98060 | - | - | KAC 98060 | KAC 98060 | KAC 98060 | LaRue LT-130 (Lever) |
Sling | Buffer Tech. TAS-M14 | Buffer Tech. TAS-M14 | Eagle Ind. FNH-ESS 1.25-DEB | M60 Sling (1005-00-312-7177) | Buffer Tech. TAS-M14 | |||
Magazine Count | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |||
Transport Case | Eagle DC-M14 | Pelican iM3300-X0000 and Eagle DC-M14-EBR-KH | Pelican 1750-000-110 | |||||
Multi-Tool | Bondhus 67255281 | Bondhus 67255281 | Bondhus 853485 (and 736540?) | Bondhus 784285 | Bondhus 13026063 | Bondhus 13026063 | Bondhus 67255281 | |
Other Components | Falcon/ERGO 4373CB | Falcon/ERGO 4373CB | Trijicon RMR 4MOA | X-Treme V2 EBR Trigger Shoe | SPA Defense SIMRAD B0634 | Sage M14SCSB | ||
SEI Trigger Parts Kit (2060) | Wilcox Red-Dot Mount (35101P01) | BFG RMFL-125 Sling Mount (2) | KMW Pod-Loc (875) | Falcon/ERGO 4373CB | ||||
SEI Op Rod Spring | Magpul CTR FDE | Sage PMRI-FR | ||||||
Magpul PTS CTR 1.25" Riser FDE | Falcon/ERGO 4373BK | |||||||
Tangodown BP-4 FDE (2) | Caldwell Blind Bag (247261) | |||||||
Tangodown BP-4K 2PANEL FDE |
Contractors
Military
While the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division creates the military Mk 14 Mod 0 and Mod 1 rifles, Sage International was contracted to provide the weapon's chassis-type stock.[4]
Civilian
The civilian version created by Smith Enterprise Inc. is also known as the MK14 SEI[28] The Sage EBR chassis stock is available in a carbine variant known as the M14ALCS/CV.[29] The carbine variant is also known as the MK14 Mod 1.[19][30]
Others include Fulton Armory,[31] firing in semi-automatic mode instead of fully automatic.[32]
Troy Industries has created a replica of the EBR's modular system made by Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division called the Troy Modular Chassis System, which can be used by mounting any functioning M1A or M14 rifle on the MCS.[33] Philippine arms company FERFRANS has created their version of the Mk 14 Mod 0 called the FERFRANS SOPMOD M14/M1A Enhanced Battle Rifle, which uses a Sage International M14/M1A EBR Tactical Stock System aluminum chassis, an M4 buttstock, and a GRSC M4-62 General Purpose Combat Recticle.[34][35]
Reception
Users have praised the weapon to be user friendly due to it being ergonomic, having low recoil and an effective low-cost platform to change all "surplus M14s into modern battle rifles", as well as having the option of various optics and accessories left to the user's preference.[14]
Gallery
-
U.S. Army Sgt. Klye Edwards, from Reconnaissance Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, looks through the scope of his Mk 14 rifle onto a mortar range near Ghazni, Afghanistan, on April 1, 2007.
-
U.S. Army Spc. Michael Rockwell, a combat infantryman with 1st Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army Europe, scans the surrounding mountains for threats during a patrol outside Forward Operating Base Baylough in Zabul province, Afghanistan, on June 12, 2010.
-
The M14 EBR provides infantry squads with the capability to engage enemy targets beyond the range of M4 Carbines and M16 Rifles.
-
U.S. Army Cpl. Michael Tacker, from Tonasket, Wash., an infantryman assigned to the Kapisa-Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team, leans against the guard rails of a bridge while providing security in Mahmood Rahqi, Afghanistan, Sept. 9. 2009.
-
The Mk 14 Mod 0 displayed.
Users
- Australia: Used by the Special Air Service Regiment in anti-Taliban operations.[15][36]
- United States[15]
- Philippines: FERFRANS variant used by the Philippine National Police Special Action Force
- Taiwan
See also
References
- ↑ "M14 7.62mm Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR)". October 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 M14 Rifle History. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
- ↑ My Personal Top Ten. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
- 1 2 New-era M14 alleviates reliability issues. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
- 1 2 3 MK 14 Mod 0 Retrieved on May 29, 2010.
- 1 2 3 Modern Firearm's M14 Page. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
- ↑ Navy SEALs to get new rifles. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
- ↑ The History and Development of the SAGE M14ALCS Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) chassis stock system. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
- ↑ CRAZY HORSE US NAVY MK14 SEI MOD 0. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
- 1 2 3 New-era M14 Alleviates Reliability Issues. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
- 1 2 3 AMC Deputy Chief of Staff on Target with M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
- ↑ Army's Chief of Staff visits Arsenal Island. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
- ↑ Fuller, BG Peter N.; COL Douglas A. Tamilio (18 May 2010). "Project Manager Soldier Weapons Briefing for NDIA" (PDF). PEO Soldier. United States Army. Retrieved 28 October 2010. Cite uses deprecated parameter
|coauthors=
(help) - 1 2 3 M14 REBORN. Retrieved on September 25, 2008.
- 1 2 3 http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2012armaments/Wednesday13969Armstrong.pdf
- ↑ M14SE “CRAZY HORSE” SEMIAUTOMATIC SNIPER SYSTEM (SASS). Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
- ↑ The Modern M14. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.
- ↑ M14SE “CRAZY HORSE” SQUAD DESIGNATED MARKSMAN (M14SE SDM) AND MK14 SEI RIFLE. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
- 1 2 Sage International Enhanced Battle Rifle Chassis Review. Retrieved on September 25, 2008.
- 1 2 M14 to MK14. Evolution of a Battle Rifle. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
- ↑ Gun Digest: Shoot Like a Sniper. F+W Media. 31 March 2014. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-4402-4294-6.
- ↑ Cutshaw, Charles Q (2006). "New-era M14 alleviates reliability issues". Jane's International Defence Review (Jane's Information Group) 39: 87. ISSN 0020-6512.
- 1 2 Brown, Robert K.; Spencer, Vann (13 December 2013). Soldier of Fortune Magazine Guide to Super Snipers. Boulder, CO: Skyhorse Publishing Company, Incorporated. p. 222. ISBN 978-1-62873-541-3.
- ↑ US Marine Infantry Combat Uniforms and Equipment 2000-12. Osprey Publishing. 18 September 2012. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-84908-799-5.
- ↑ Neville, Leigh; Carpenter, Shawn (2011). Enduring Freedom: Afghanistan 2001-2010. Osprey Publishing. p. 139. ISBN 978-1-84908-532-8.
- ↑ Rebecca Parker (March 8, 2010). "Ribbon Cutting ceremony opens new Soldier Weapons Readiness Center at Rock Island Arsenal". U.S. Army.
- ↑ Thompson, Leroy (20 October 2014). The M14 Battle Rifle. Osprey Publishing. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-4728-0255-2.
- ↑ Sage Enhanced Battle Rifle brochure. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
- ↑ Close Quarter Battle Variant Rifle brochure. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
- ↑ MK14 SEI MOD 1. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
- ↑ Fulton Armory M14/M1A Parts, Accessories, Tools and Books. Retrieved on September 22, 2008.
- ↑ 1,000 Rounds Through the Fulton Armory M-14. Retrieved on September 23, 2008.
- ↑ LAW483 M14 MCS from TROY. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
- ↑ "FERFRANS SOAR Select-Fire SBRs and Carbines, and GRSC Combat Rifle Scope (CRS) at the Range". 2007-07-21. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
- ↑ http://dzmm.abs-cbnnews.com/uploads/news2/4ba9c4cbc9d4bc70794e3ba598e0ece6/4ba9c4cbc9d4bc70794e3ba598e0ece6.jpg
- ↑ Hetherington, Andrew (3 February 2011). "Extreme Peril". Army News (Australia). Retrieved 9 June 2011.
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