One who doesn't understand the art of language: the M14 is finicky and obsolete One who completely masters the art of language: the M14 is an *attractive* system and has a lot of *historical references* in it
And since there's gonna be SOMEONE who takes that joke the wrong way. Yes. The M21 and other M14 DMR systems were great for what they were, and when they were introduced. But there IS a reason they were replaced as soon as, and arguably BEFORE the SR25 was viable.
@@claytonmachine12 Because Ukraine needed them. Love 'em or hate 'em.... the M14 rifle keeps showing up in combat and does a decent job. It's not as good as the lovers want to believe it is. Nor is as terrible as the haters insist it is.
Excellent shooting! The basics of M14 accurizing are: 1. Unified Gas Block to Barrel Band. (Welded) 2. Correct tension for lock up of Gas Cylinder Lock. 3. A McMillan stock (or any other that is impervious to moisture, and strong enough to overcome Barrel heat cycles) that is bedded correctly. 4. A "tuned" trigger.
@I don't want to put my name To be crystal clear, I'll use terms found on the Numrich M1a Rifle breakdown: Weld the "Barrel Band" to the "Gas Cylinder." ; )
The first Mil. rifle and for that matter the first high powered rifle I ever shot was the M-14 in basic back in '66 at the ripe old age of 18. I fell in love with it and we trained with it all the way through OCS at Benning. I have a SA national match I picked up in '87 and am still in love with it! I just bought a Ruger SFAR .308/7.62 NATO and find it all most as enjoyable to shoot as my M1A!
1962. Me, Clerk Typist in the 101st Airborne Division (Back when they were Airborne). M14 Rifle, shot expert. Made the 502nd Airborne Battle Group Rifle Team. Removed from the Rifle Team. Cuz, typing.
@@9HoleReviews Story time: Once upon a time, the 101st Airborne went to Florida, Eglin Air Force Base. Operation Strike Eagle 2 (I think). We heavy dropped (meaning trucks, jeeps, SPATs, Self Propelled AntiTank Guns and Officer trailers for the jeeps.). As luck would have it, the Air Force timed the drop incorrectly, and put all of our motorized equipment into the Gulf of Mexico. Everything for the whole division. A month later, back at Fort Campbell, an officer from headquarters calls up and tells me that our battle group has to "Report of Survey" all of our lost equipment. Me, being a rebellious sort, responded, "Sir, are you calling every unit of the division for a Report?" Why, yes I am, he said. So, I'm going to assign an officer to run around and write a report, along with officers from every unit of the division? Well, yes, he said. Sir, says I. Assign the Report to me, I'll have one officer run around, and I'll write the report. Let me get back to you, he says. Couple of days later, I get a phone call from headquarters. "We'll do the Report at headquarters". Sir, great decision, says I. Oh, at the time, I was the fastest typist in the division. Alas, there was no medal for typing. There might be one now. General Milley seems to have every medal ever issued, save the MOH.
Thanks for sharing your story! This reminds me of my good old friend and colleague (may he RIP), who was a Korean War F-86 Sabre pilot, then a test pilot for the centuries series fighters. The fledging Air Force taught him to learn how to type for his test points reports. He eventually got his degree in software engineering, and became an avionics developer for the Lunar module. Now, this dude, is the biggest ladies man I know. He’s a shorter dude (as was a requirement for test pilots in those days); but he never let that deter him. There’s a certain swagger among those with the Right Stuff from that era that’s undeniable, and he was able to bag any lovely lady he wanted. So when he got hired by Rockwell to develop avionics for them, back in those days, only women knew how to type. Him, being the only male engineer that knew how to type, was surrounded by intelligent female engineers. He said that was the best time of his life! LOL! Bud, I miss you dearly. It’s been an absolute honor and a privilege to not only have worked with you, but to be even considered a friend. Fly high my friend.
71L2P here. What people don't understand about being an Airborne clerk typist, the hardest thing about the job is exiting the aircraft with your typewriter held at Port Arms. Inertia wants to rip it right out of your hands, man. People simply do not understand what strong hands you have to have, in order to be an Airborne clerk typist. Airborne Clerk Typists, We Deliver the REAL Lead On-Target! HOO-WAH!
Since 2018, when I acquired my LRB M21, I have grown ever more appreciative of my it. About 3500 rounds through it and I have seen no degradation of the bedding in the once-a-year complete dismount. Many of the M14 haters have never had the opportunity to shoot a top-quality product, like LRB, I suppose. Cheers!
@@henryrodgers1752 Lou, Diana, and the whole LRB team are top shelf. You should really join us on the M14 forum! Looking forward to seeing you and your M21 there!
We had about 10-12 National Match grade M1As in our Air Guard armory for the Base Rifle Team that in the early 2000’s were sent back to Big Army to be converted to DMRs for GWOT.
Ken Corcoran in North Pole Alaska is the gunsmith he’s talking about. He built a M24 & 1911 for me. Absolutely incredible shooter and gunsmith. I have a photo holding both his Distinguished Marksman & Presidents 100 badges. Fun fact he has a 10’ chandelier made from about 100 old M14 battles he built hanging in his shop.
yeah man ken corcoran is one of the country's last remaining real deal M14 era gunsmiths that knows how to work these things. Lots of stories from people who are in the know.
Just an addition to the historical commentary about the M21 - the M21 originally dates back to the late 60s/early 70s. The rifles were built individually at the AMU at Ft. Benning, GA. and fitted with the Leatherwood ART scopes. As a Platoon Leader in the 101st Airborne in the early 80s, there was one of them assigned to my platoon (and the SP4 that carried it was a graduate of FT Campbell's sniper course). For the day, they were as good as it got.
@@tedhodge4830 and how many recent M1A receiver failures have there been in the last 20 years? What was the total round count? I'm 4k into my M1A Loaded, most of that handload 175gr SMK loads. No issues so far!
@@stephendanielson2087 I was under the impression they were forged, especially for the price. Never mind. Bula, then. Mine is very handsome, especially for the price I paid for it.
Watching Henry on this run was almost giving me wood! It's clear to me that the shooter is running a rifle that he is very familiar with. I started with a standard model m1a in 1994 and the first thing I bought with my first credit card was a hart heavy barrel 1in10 twist for my rifle and carried through with gunsmithing and match grade parts until I'd spent over $2500. Shoulda just bought a supermatch but she's sub moa all the time and 1/2 moa on a good day, love's the fgmm 168s. I don't think young guys can appreciate that these rifles came from a time when battle rifles were made of steel and wood. I love the extended ring the receiver makes wnen I drop the pin on an empty chamber ( I don't do that a lot). I wouldn't trade mine for a KAC M110!
@@9HoleReviews Henry, what was your final rank? I'm a civilian and can't tell if you were a captain or 2nd Lieutenant in the uniform you are wearing for the Utreon plug. Thanks!
@@KikiRevenge Two silver bars is Captain. 2nd LT is one gold bar (Butter Bar), then 1st LT is one silver bar. (1st is higher rank than 2nd). After Capt. would be a gold cluster for Major and then a silver cluster for Lt Colonel. Full Colonel is an Eagle (Bird Col), then comes a star for Brigadier General.
Thanks guys for running the m21. It’s a cast iron mutha to carry but man when ya gotta send some love Mr. Bad Guy at 800 and his not so smart buddy to see what he tripped on , it feels like you ole daisy BB gun from childhood. Loved my m21, bought one as some as I got out still have it today. For really long shots the m24 in 300 mag was nice. Thanks guys for showing off the toys!
“I hear the boys in the field are quite fond of them”, classic…… The M-14, (21) platform, “IT LIVES”, sort of. You Gum-Smiff it, you guys are killing me, plus the dremel smith comment, aarrrgh. Entertaining, informative and completely enjoyable range / weapon discussion, rare to say the least. Be Safe Out there
I would love to own one now, had an M14 issued in the USMC, and I dearly loved it! Have wanted one ever since! Great rifle, very accurate out to 500+ yds!
I LOVE these debriefs! You guys being able to just dish out a wealth of knowledge as you both toss ideas back and forth IN ONE UNEDITED CLEAN CONTINUOUS CAMERA SHOT in a podcast-type format is such an understated collaborative skill. It just shows the incredible teamwork you both have, and the wealth of knowledge and experience between you two. We are truly spoiled….
Used the M1 for my entire enlistment. Flawless and accurate. We also used the chrome additions for silent drill. Even after dropping a fee. They stayed true.
You will need a cheek riser if you want to build up a scope on your M-14. If you don't want to drill holes in your walnut stock. Look no further that the Bradley adjustable cheek riser. It's adjustable for various heights for a shooter. No holes needed for mounting. Many colors are available. If you have the standard walnut stock. The color to get on a Bradley cheek rest is Chocolate Raptor. It's a perfect shade of brown to match the walnut color of the walnut stock. When ordering from Bradley you will see a place on the order form that asks for the name of your company. This block must be filled in to finish your order. If you don't have a company just add this to the order form, "NOYB." Means none of your business. These four letters will be accepted to complete your order form. I called Bradley about this problem. It was his suggestion about the NOYB. The cheek riser was delivered in five days. You will need a scope mount. Get the Sadlak mount. You may want a Smith Engineering mount. Good luck getting one. Smith Engineering has such a poor customer service reputation that there is an entire web site called www.ihatesmithengineering.com"
@@whomagoose6897 Thanks for the suggestions. I already made several modifications to mine. Mine’s one of the Springfield Loaded models and I added a Sadlak Airborne scope mount and have a Vortex Viper 6-24x50 on it. It’s in a green synthetic stock and I got a leather slip on riser that gets the job done. I’ve been wanting to get a McMillan stock for it and I would like to put a more versatile scope on it (something like a 2-10x). I narrowed down my options to either a Vortex model or a Nightforce model. Probably gonna end up getting the Vortex cause it’s cheaper. I ain’t made of money unfortunately
Did SOMEBODY say “M14” AND sniper in the SAME sentence!? Edited to ADD! Damn Henry..made us proud! Love my M1A topped with a Redfield 3 X 9..it’s a tack driver out to (ALL I can do here)..300 yds. GREAT show man..
@Ass Clapper that's the case with 99% of the experts we see in internet, most of whom are not even 18 years old... But they have been deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and so on 😂
Awesome run; that one bonus miss was a disappointment. I think we'd all like to see you re-shoot this, now that you are more experienced with the course of fire! 😎 My perspective from Civvie Street is that, back in the '60s, the difficulty in reliably and consistently accurizing the M14 into a sniper rifle was why the USMC stayed with bolt guns for snipers; the US Army prioritized rate of fire over absolute accuracy. Fast forward to the 2000's, and the M14-pattern was the only 7.62 automatic rifle the US had in the necessary quantity, until the M110 and M110A1s were developed and procured.
Would love to see you guys review a Blackfeather chassis and throw it up against the EBR! Word is is it's less complicated and less heavy than the EBR, while retaining durability, accuracy and attachment functionality.
My cousin has an AR10. I have a tuned, preban m1a. His gun is slightly more accurate but i practice with mine more. I put rounds on target faster every time. I dont care if my weapon is "outdated" or inferior. It works for me and i have no plans on switching over.
I’ve commented before on your M14/M1A vid. I got extremely lucky with my M1A, it’s non match one, just standard variant. That came with a composite stock, I dropped it in a Troy stock, it’s 2-3 MOA with good surplus ammo, even after taking it out and remounting it but bedding becomes less of a. Issue when mounting into billet aluminum alloy. But even then have seen others get 4-5 MOA when rested, match ammo, very consistent powder loads and velocities, and good trigger control, so wasn’t anything inherently obvious they were doing, just 4 MOA was could they could squeeze out of one, no matter what, where as the stars and planets aligned with my gun and stock and a reliable 2-3 MOA with good condition, consistent surplus ammo, just prone, which is easy to hit a man sized target, in the open. 5-600 meters I got no problem trusting my M1A, cause I’ve run it that far and a bit more with ball ammo, 700 it works, best between the rifle, stock, the ammo and me, it gets iffy, not that I can’t hit it, but no guarantee I can’t hit it with the first 2 rounds, no matter what I do, and that batch of ammo, as between all the variables, including environment, with ball ammo, I’ve had multiple misses at 700m, now sure some of the later ones may be due to me being pissed off I’m kissing when I know I’m doing things right, or mostly anyways and I should be hitting with some of them, yet they keep just deviating enough to kiss, no matter what. Now, I feed good match ammo, it turns into a solid 2 MOA, approaching 1 rifle. And it’s a completely different story and don’t get the weird deviations, no matter what, becomes far, far more consistent in everything, and you can adjust off of that, instead of random misses, in random directions off the target.
I am impressed. First, you got the M21 to go BANG every time and cycle! Then your hit probability to the bonus was impressive--that took a lot of marksmanship skill plus a good rifle/ammo/scope combination. Show that to our politicians in DC and watch their reactions.
One thing that repeatedly bemuses me about the history of the m14 is the times notable improvements were made and then promptly ignored because that’s not what competition shooters do, or it’s expensive. And it then gets forgotten. For instance, the specialized Brookfield liner. Allegedly, that liner, bedded into a heavier McMillan stock, completely obviates the issue with the m14 destroying its bedding. And then on top of that you can double-lug m14 receivers. But…Brookfield made like 300 of those liners and double lugged receivers are a weird oddity.
At the end of the day, you are still upgrading an old rifle. If your not upgrading old ones, then you contracting someone to build new rifles of a very old design. It makes way more sense to buy new rifles of an updated design.
@@mikebaggott7802 Oh, for sure. But you hear people say (fairly) things in criticism of it, but I know from the “research” I’ve done that a good number of the criticisms or flaws are perfectly fixable and were indeed fixed. And the markets there for sure, Tank firearms makes a *similar* bedding block to the Brookfield one and he sells em pretty regularly.
Thank you for an excellent demonstration of what one of these rifles can do at its best, as well as the honest discussion around what it takes to get one to that point (and keep it there). I love my M1A; there is just something about the look, and feel, and shooting experience of it that screams "hard core". Mine has also been 100% reliable (but then, I don't put it through Garand Thumb style torture tests), and accuracy is... acceptable. That said, it would certainly not be the first rifle (or second...) I would pick up if I knew I were going into a war zone tomorrow. On the flip side, if that was all I had at hand, I certainly wouldn't feel under-gunned.
I always enjoy your videos. Years ago I had Smith Enterprise build a Crazy Horse M21A5 for me, it's an awesome rifle that started out in a GI synthetic stock and now sits in a light weight Blackfeather chassis stock. The rifle is very accurate and reliable, the problem is that I no longer have access to a shooting range with the distances it's made for so I am going to have Ron Smith convert it into one of his K guns in the near future... that's the plan. EDIT: I don't shoot my M14s scoped, I use an RDS mounted low in front of the receiver or the iron sights - I also shoot them suppressed, but that will not be an option with the K gun.
Ive had my SA match M1A for quite some time. Over the years its made its way into a JAE100 chassis. The thing is a tank and I really enjoy bench shooting it. That being said its only a 1.5-2moa gun with me behind the trigger but i still love it and will probably never get rid of it.
@@9HoleReviews @9HoleReviews i built my own mk14 with a 22" M1A if you'd be interested in using it :) Leupold Mk4 4.5-14 scope so it's not completely accurate but really close to the Mk14-RI
I would find it especially useful if you discuss the 100-yard accuracy of each rifle with the ammo used in the test. Also I would like to know details of the components, especially ones that are different from "base" or more common versions of the rifle (barrel profile, length, who made the barrel and any special details, if, for example a different twist rate, etc ). For example, you mentioned that the original gunsmith for the M21 messed it up. What precisely did he do wrong? Thank you
we will cover all that in a comprehensive documentary style "classic" video later. The original gunsmith torqued the barrel on incorrectly. In fact he over torqued it and we had to rehab his issues. It happens to these old timers who have a reputation and take in way more work than they can handle, then find themselves just trying to turn things through their shop with poor QC.
my Mk14-at-home (really it's closer to the Mk14-RI since mine is a 22" barrel) was my first rifle. yes, my first. my first pistol was also a USP. it's all been downhill from there.
Fine tuning by making fine compensations between form and function, it is the high luxury of precision and accuracy which if you wish for them, requires as much delicacy and carefulness as it is needed when you have to see all the wall carpets in the palace while wandering but not letting the oil drop out of the spoon which you are carrying in the novel Al-chemist by Paulo Coelho.
Great discussion today, very interesting. Especially when subsequent rifles such as the SR25 had terrible barrels something not yet forgiven by users in the field. Its very bad it took so long for the M110 given America's capabilities.
Perfect run. Never underestimate the M14 family. It outlived every other classic Battle Rifle, like the G3, FAL, BM59, and STGW-57, and modern Battle Rifles like the SCAR-17
@@justsomeguy922r3 no country that originally adopted any of those guns still use them. They were surplused to other countries, turned into parts kits, destroyed. Hell the M14 is the only one to survive into the GWOT, and is still going.
I think most notable about your reload is that at the start of the course you broke your trigger hand to rack the bolt rather than doing the under the rifle rack. You guys just spoke about this during your AK speedrun as well. Interestingly during your AK run you racked the bolt in traditional Soviet fashion, or at least as it was designed to be done by breaking your pistol grip. In this case you started out doing that, but seemingly reverted to the American style right side charging handle reload at the end of the course when you needed to reload. Seems to me that the Western doctrine is more ingrained in your muscle memory than the Eastern.
Well I feel much more confidant in my PTR-91/AK4D modernization and accurization project now, though I agree with Hop, it's hard as heck, expensive, and heavy
2:19 if you had a way to confirm the targets getting it, like if you were allowed to set up an extra camera or two on the berm overlooking the range, would it be worth it to confirm the hits?
Looking cool is all that matters. Honestly my M1A scout from Springfield Armory has been the least finicky of my M14 style rifles after I put the gas block shim in (I take it out of the stock semi frequently since it is not bedded like my LRB build). I think it has to do with the top handguard having a big hole cut in the middle and the scout rail stiffening and cooling the barrel near the oprod guide. I can't get my 16" EBR build to group at all unless I do a really hard hold with the stock and bipod and throw a can on it (going to try hand loads after my long range AR project)
Almost a perfect run. Amazing discussion as always. The reloading issue correlates well with the previous episode. Trying to do something unnatural in a safe environment just ain't it. The struggle to find that bolt handle was beyond real.
After completing sniper school, I was issued a M21 rifle with Leatherwood A.R.T. II scope. (2/75 Ranger Bn) For the time, mid 1970s, it was an advanced platform and was very accurate up to about 750 yards. But to compare 1970s weapon technology to modern battle/sniper rifle technology is frankly unfair.
Psg1 utterly crushes it, the ak4d is a cheaper upgrade path to a psg1. So I think comparing the ak4d is totally far since it's a g3 based rifle. Fyi the psg1 is 1972
Ken Hackathorn told me, "I was talking to Carlos Hathcock, and I asked him, 'Is there one question people never ask you, that you think is really important?' He said, 'Everyone wants to talk to me about the great shots I made. No one ever asks me about all the misses.' I said, 'What do you mean, all the misses?' He said, 'I rarely hit with the first shot. Usually I'd miss with the first shot, I'd see the bullet splash, adjust based on that, and hit with the second shot, or sometimes even the third.'"
![M21 [M14 Sniper Variant] to 800yds: Practical Accuracy (XM21 | M14 SSR | XM25 | M25 SWS)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9iOoc_1lLSo/mqdefault.jpg)
![M21 [M14 Sniper Variant] to 800yds: Practical Accuracy (XM21 | M14 SSR | XM25 | M25 SWS)](/img/tr.png)
![🥇 SAKO TRG42 [🇫🇮Arctic Sniper] to 1,000yds: Practical Accuracy](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kl7lAyYlznw/mqdefault.jpg)
![M1C [M1 Garand Sniper] MC-1952 to 800yds: Practical Accuracy not M1D](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RsMKmgh1_SM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Enfield No.4 (T) faux Sniper 🏁 Speedway [ Long Range On the Clock ] - Practical Accuracy](/img/1.gif)
One who doesn't understand the art of language: the M14 is finicky and obsolete
One who completely masters the art of language: the M14 is an *attractive* system and has a lot of *historical references* in it
We call that cutting through the BS sir.
It is proven that Hong Kong school system teaches better English than the American one.
Until you need to clean it. Then it goes back to finicky
And since there's gonna be SOMEONE who takes that joke the wrong way. Yes. The M21 and other M14 DMR systems were great for what they were, and when they were introduced. But there IS a reason they were replaced as soon as, and arguably BEFORE the SR25 was viable.
@@claytonmachine12 Because Ukraine needed them. Love 'em or hate 'em.... the M14 rifle keeps showing up in combat and does a decent job. It's not as good as the lovers want to believe it is. Nor is as terrible as the haters insist it is.
Excellent shooting!
The basics of M14 accurizing are:
1. Unified Gas Block to Barrel Band. (Welded)
2. Correct tension for lock up of Gas Cylinder Lock.
3. A McMillan stock (or any other that is impervious to moisture, and strong enough to overcome Barrel heat cycles) that is bedded correctly.
4. A "tuned" trigger.
Don’t you unitize the gas block to the band? Unitizing it to the ferrule would mean you couldn’t ever take the gas system back off wouldn’t it?
@I don't want to put my name To be crystal clear, I'll use terms found on the Numrich M1a Rifle breakdown: Weld the "Barrel Band" to the "Gas Cylinder."
; )
@@j.t.patton7820 I just wanted to see if I was missing something 😅. I’m really into tinkering with mine at the moment. Slow but steady progress.
@@idontwanttoputmyname403 My terminology was off there 👍🏻
@I don't want to put my name They are worth it, in my opinion.
Mine went from 6" groups, to sub-MoA.
The first Mil. rifle and for that matter the first high powered rifle I ever shot was the M-14 in basic back in '66 at the ripe old age of 18. I fell in love with it and we trained with it all the way through OCS at Benning. I have a SA national match I picked up in '87 and am still in love with it! I just bought a Ruger SFAR .308/7.62 NATO and find it all most as enjoyable to shoot as my M1A!
I have a Ruger ar(223/5.56),I love it too. I'm 64y.o.and my eyes are degenerating but l still shoot!
That was a CLEAN and fast run. Damn!
1962. Me, Clerk Typist in the 101st Airborne Division (Back when they were Airborne). M14 Rifle, shot expert. Made the 502nd Airborne Battle Group Rifle Team. Removed from the Rifle Team. Cuz, typing.
It's really interesting how it's a foreign concept for our generation to know that a typist was an MOS! Would love to hear more from your era, sir!
@@9HoleReviews Story time:
Once upon a time, the 101st Airborne went to Florida, Eglin Air Force Base. Operation Strike Eagle 2 (I think). We heavy dropped (meaning trucks, jeeps, SPATs, Self Propelled AntiTank Guns and Officer trailers for the jeeps.).
As luck would have it, the Air Force timed the drop incorrectly, and put all of our motorized equipment into the Gulf of Mexico.
Everything for the whole division.
A month later, back at Fort Campbell, an officer from headquarters calls up and tells me that our battle group has to "Report of Survey" all of our lost equipment.
Me, being a rebellious sort, responded, "Sir, are you calling every unit of the division for a Report?"
Why, yes I am, he said.
So, I'm going to assign an officer to run around and write a report, along with officers from every unit of the division? Well, yes, he said.
Sir, says I. Assign the Report to me, I'll have one officer run around, and I'll write the report.
Let me get back to you, he says.
Couple of days later, I get a phone call from headquarters. "We'll do the Report at headquarters".
Sir, great decision, says I.
Oh, at the time, I was the fastest typist in the division. Alas, there was no medal for typing.
There might be one now. General Milley seems to have every medal ever issued, save the MOH.
Thanks for sharing your story! This reminds me of my good old friend and colleague (may he RIP), who was a Korean War F-86 Sabre pilot, then a test pilot for the centuries series fighters. The fledging Air Force taught him to learn how to type for his test points reports. He eventually got his degree in software engineering, and became an avionics developer for the Lunar module.
Now, this dude, is the biggest ladies man I know. He’s a shorter dude (as was a requirement for test pilots in those days); but he never let that deter him. There’s a certain swagger among those with the Right Stuff from that era that’s undeniable, and he was able to bag any lovely lady he wanted.
So when he got hired by Rockwell to develop avionics for them, back in those days, only women knew how to type. Him, being the only male engineer that knew how to type, was surrounded by intelligent female engineers. He said that was the best time of his life! LOL!
Bud, I miss you dearly. It’s been an absolute honor and a privilege to not only have worked with you, but to be even considered a friend.
Fly high my friend.
@@dan725 I retired from IBM. Advisory Programmer.
71L2P here. What people don't understand about being an Airborne clerk typist, the hardest thing about the job is exiting the aircraft with your typewriter held at Port Arms. Inertia wants to rip it right out of your hands, man. People simply do not understand what strong hands you have to have, in order to be an Airborne clerk typist.
Airborne Clerk Typists, We Deliver the REAL Lead On-Target! HOO-WAH!
Just in time! Took my LRB/TRW M21 out yesterday. Damn that thing loves M118LR. Great work as always, Henry.
Since 2018, when I acquired my LRB M21, I have grown ever more appreciative of my it. About 3500 rounds through it and I have seen no degradation of the bedding in the once-a-year complete dismount. Many of the M14 haters have never had the opportunity to shoot a top-quality product, like LRB, I suppose. Cheers!
@@henryrodgers1752 Lou, Diana, and the whole LRB team are top shelf. You should really join us on the M14 forum! Looking forward to seeing you and your M21 there!
@@Jordan-ce7sf Heck, I even forgot that there Is an M14 Forum🤨🙃Thanks for the reminder.
We had about 10-12 National Match grade M1As in our Air Guard armory for the Base Rifle Team that in the early 2000’s were sent back to Big Army to be converted to DMRs for GWOT.
Ken Corcoran in North Pole Alaska is the gunsmith he’s talking about. He built a M24 & 1911 for me. Absolutely incredible shooter and gunsmith. I have a photo holding both his Distinguished Marksman & Presidents 100 badges. Fun fact he has a 10’ chandelier made from about 100 old M14 battles he built hanging in his shop.
yeah man ken corcoran is one of the country's last remaining real deal M14 era gunsmiths that knows how to work these things. Lots of stories from people who are in the know.
Just an addition to the historical commentary about the M21 - the M21 originally dates back to the late 60s/early 70s. The rifles were built individually at the AMU at Ft. Benning, GA. and fitted with the Leatherwood ART scopes. As a Platoon Leader in the 101st Airborne in the early 80s, there was one of them assigned to my platoon (and the SP4 that carried it was a graduate of FT Campbell's sniper course). For the day, they were as good as it got.
is the m21 a better version of the m14?
@@joshua5555 The M21 is an accurized M14.
Except for the scope and the irons the SVD seems better in every way to be honest
@@G-Mastah-Fash Ever actually fired an SVD?
Even understanding the realities of the M1A, I still want one. Maybe early next year. Great video as usual.
Bula Defense or Fulton make M14s with forged receivers and bolts. Just saying.
@@tedhodge4830 and how many recent M1A receiver failures have there been in the last 20 years? What was the total round count?
I'm 4k into my M1A Loaded, most of that handload 175gr SMK loads. No issues so far!
@@tedhodge4830 fulton does cast receivers but they do great work. LRB and bula do forged.
@@stephendanielson2087 I was under the impression they were forged, especially for the price. Never mind. Bula, then. Mine is very handsome, especially for the price I paid for it.
I have one and it has been awesome! Outstanding run 👍!!!!!!!!!
its such a beauty. All my envy ;o)
Watching Henry on this run was almost giving me wood! It's clear to me that the shooter is running a rifle that he is very familiar with. I started with a standard model m1a in 1994 and the first thing I bought with my first credit card was a hart heavy barrel 1in10 twist for my rifle and carried through with gunsmithing and match grade parts until I'd spent over $2500. Shoulda just bought a supermatch but she's sub moa all the time and 1/2 moa on a good day, love's the fgmm 168s. I don't think young guys can appreciate that these rifles came from a time when battle rifles were made of steel and wood. I love the extended ring the receiver makes wnen I drop the pin on an empty chamber ( I don't do that a lot). I wouldn't trade mine for a KAC M110!
Everytime I watch these videos I marvel about how good a shot Henry is and Josh's spotting. Great teamwork. Very slick drills this video boys.
I want to believe. Come on M-14 variant don’t let the internet and data win.
Edit: Nice job to Henry and the m21.
It finished the course way worse than the Mk12 though
I mean it was some extra time due to poor ammunition management unfortunately
@@9HoleReviews Henry, what was your final rank? I'm a civilian and can't tell if you were a captain or 2nd Lieutenant in the uniform you are wearing for the Utreon plug. Thanks!
@@KikiRevenge captain i believe
@@KikiRevenge Two silver bars is Captain. 2nd LT is one gold bar (Butter Bar), then 1st LT is one silver bar. (1st is higher rank than 2nd). After Capt. would be a gold cluster for Major and then a silver cluster for Lt Colonel. Full Colonel is an Eagle (Bird Col), then comes a star for Brigadier General.
Thanks guys for running the m21. It’s a cast iron mutha to carry but man when ya gotta send some love Mr. Bad Guy at 800 and his not so smart buddy to see what he tripped on , it feels like you ole daisy BB gun from childhood. Loved my m21, bought one as some as I got out still have it today. For really long shots the m24 in 300 mag was nice. Thanks guys for showing off the toys!
“I hear the boys in the field are quite fond of them”, classic…… The M-14, (21) platform, “IT LIVES”, sort of. You Gum-Smiff it, you guys are killing me, plus the dremel smith comment, aarrrgh. Entertaining, informative and completely enjoyable range / weapon discussion, rare to say the least. Be Safe Out there
I would love to own one now, had an M14 issued in the USMC, and I dearly loved it! Have wanted one ever since! Great rifle, very accurate out to 500+ yds!
Although it’s old tech every vet I’ve talked to from Vietnam to Afghanistan loved the m14. I loved the m1a when I shot one. Love the m1 as well
I LOVE these debriefs! You guys being able to just dish out a wealth of knowledge as you both toss ideas back and forth IN ONE UNEDITED CLEAN CONTINUOUS CAMERA SHOT in a podcast-type format is such an understated collaborative skill.
It just shows the incredible teamwork you both have, and the wealth of knowledge and experience between you two.
We are truly spoiled….
Reminds me of the M21 I used in the army except it had a wood stock and an art scope.
Love when people who have never touched a M14.....call it "trash"
That was CLEAN. Nice shooting!
I dindnt know I needed this until I saw it. A great video to save my weekend. Thank you 9-Hole Reviews.
Jeebus that opening speed run. That steel plate platoon had no idea what hit them.
Used the M1 for my entire enlistment. Flawless and accurate. We also used the chrome additions for silent drill. Even after dropping a fee. They stayed true.
I mean it's a 2-4 moa rifle off the rack. It just isn't that good.
Such a gorgeous rifle! I’ve been meaning to build mine up into a similar configuration, haven’t gotten around to it. Great job as always guys
You will need a cheek riser if you want to build up a scope on your M-14. If you don't want to drill holes in your walnut stock. Look no further that the Bradley adjustable cheek riser. It's adjustable for various heights for a shooter. No holes needed for mounting. Many colors are available. If you have the standard walnut stock. The color to get on a Bradley cheek rest is Chocolate Raptor. It's a perfect shade of brown to match the walnut color of the walnut stock.
When ordering from Bradley you will see a place on the order form that asks for the name of your company. This block must be filled in to finish your order. If you don't have a company just add this to the order form, "NOYB." Means none of your business. These four letters will be accepted to complete your order form. I called Bradley about this problem. It was his suggestion about the NOYB. The cheek riser was delivered in five days.
You will need a scope mount. Get the Sadlak mount. You may want a Smith Engineering mount. Good luck getting one. Smith Engineering has such a poor customer service reputation that there is an entire web site called www.ihatesmithengineering.com"
@@whomagoose6897 Thanks for the suggestions. I already made several modifications to mine. Mine’s one of the Springfield Loaded models and I added a Sadlak Airborne scope mount and have a Vortex Viper 6-24x50 on it. It’s in a green synthetic stock and I got a leather slip on riser that gets the job done. I’ve been wanting to get a McMillan stock for it and I would like to put a more versatile scope on it (something like a 2-10x). I narrowed down my options to either a Vortex model or a Nightforce model. Probably gonna end up getting the Vortex cause it’s cheaper. I ain’t made of money unfortunately
Well that just goes to show an oldie can still be a goodie.
This guy is a freakazoid in the shooting world not to mention his humorous outtakes lookin like a soviet spy was awesome !!!
Ran the Super Match in High Power until I couldn’t see the front sight anymore. Loved the gun.
Henry did a great job on the run. I didn't realize they were so finicky, great debrief on the M21.
What would be awesome would be a comparison between a scoped m14, the m1a and then the m21
Totally, and for fun throw a Blackfeather chassis into the mix!
We had 15 M14s at my Dept and I was toying with having one built as my sniper rifle. One wise fellow at another Dept talked me out of it.
Always educational.
Did SOMEBODY say “M14” AND sniper in the SAME sentence!? Edited to ADD! Damn Henry..made us proud! Love my M1A topped with a Redfield 3 X 9..it’s a tack driver out to (ALL I can do here)..300 yds. GREAT show man..
cheers! yeah this rifle... haha it takes so much more maintenance but it's an icon!
What a run !!! Henry can do it pretty damn good 👍.
Another great video. Getting into the nuances. The debrief is awesome
The absolute best worst rifle.
That’s about the size of it.
@Ass Clapper Nope: I’ve just seen too much second-hand content.
@Ass Clapper that's the case with 99% of the experts we see in internet, most of whom are not even 18 years old... But they have been deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and so on 😂
Watch the previous videos they did on the M14/ M1A. It has issues and you shouldn't dismiss them.
Even Henry brings up that it's an obsolescent design towards the end of the video.
That first bonus shot looked like a hit me to.
Takes me back to the good ol days of Arma 2 DayZ. I miss the DMR
Speedway is my favorite series!!
Awesome run; that one bonus miss was a disappointment. I think we'd all like to see you re-shoot this, now that you are more experienced with the course of fire! 😎
My perspective from Civvie Street is that, back in the '60s, the difficulty in reliably and consistently accurizing the M14 into a sniper rifle was why the USMC stayed with bolt guns for snipers; the US Army prioritized rate of fire over absolute accuracy. Fast forward to the 2000's, and the M14-pattern was the only 7.62 automatic rifle the US had in the necessary quantity, until the M110 and M110A1s were developed and procured.
I was looking at mine last night. Then looked for a speedway. You read my mind.
Would love to see you guys review a Blackfeather chassis and throw it up against the EBR! Word is is it's less complicated and less heavy than the EBR, while retaining durability, accuracy and attachment functionality.
My cousin has an AR10. I have a tuned, preban m1a. His gun is slightly more accurate but i practice with mine more. I put rounds on target faster every time. I dont care if my weapon is "outdated" or inferior. It works for me and i have no plans on switching over.
Solid advice. What works for you works for you and who cares what any one else’s opinion is.
Results speak for themselves, you do you bud! 😁🇺🇲
Sounds like cope.
I’ve commented before on your M14/M1A vid. I got extremely lucky with my M1A, it’s non match one, just standard variant. That came with a composite stock, I dropped it in a Troy stock, it’s 2-3 MOA with good surplus ammo, even after taking it out and remounting it but bedding becomes less of a. Issue when mounting into billet aluminum alloy. But even then have seen others get 4-5 MOA when rested, match ammo, very consistent powder loads and velocities, and good trigger control, so wasn’t anything inherently obvious they were doing, just 4 MOA was could they could squeeze out of one, no matter what, where as the stars and planets aligned with my gun and stock and a reliable 2-3 MOA with good condition, consistent surplus ammo, just prone, which is easy to hit a man sized target, in the open. 5-600 meters I got no problem trusting my M1A, cause I’ve run it that far and a bit more with ball ammo, 700 it works, best between the rifle, stock, the ammo and me, it gets iffy, not that I can’t hit it, but no guarantee I can’t hit it with the first 2 rounds, no matter what I do, and that batch of ammo, as between all the variables, including environment, with ball ammo, I’ve had multiple misses at 700m, now sure some of the later ones may be due to me being pissed off I’m kissing when I know I’m doing things right, or mostly anyways and I should be hitting with some of them, yet they keep just deviating enough to kiss, no matter what. Now, I feed good match ammo, it turns into a solid 2 MOA, approaching 1 rifle. And it’s a completely different story and don’t get the weird deviations, no matter what, becomes far, far more consistent in everything, and you can adjust off of that, instead of random misses, in random directions off the target.
Hope you guys one day do a M14 EBR run, we used and loved those things in Afghanistan… well hated carrying them but loved them when we needed them.
I am impressed. First, you got the M21 to go BANG every time and cycle! Then your hit probability to the bonus was impressive--that took a lot of marksmanship skill plus a good rifle/ammo/scope combination.
Show that to our politicians in DC and watch their reactions.
Mind blowing performance!! Mr. Chan giving us all an inferiority complex.
One thing that repeatedly bemuses me about the history of the m14 is the times notable improvements were made and then promptly ignored because that’s not what competition shooters do, or it’s expensive. And it then gets forgotten.
For instance, the specialized Brookfield liner. Allegedly, that liner, bedded into a heavier McMillan stock, completely obviates the issue with the m14 destroying its bedding. And then on top of that you can double-lug m14 receivers. But…Brookfield made like 300 of those liners and double lugged receivers are a weird oddity.
At the end of the day, you are still upgrading an old rifle. If your not upgrading old ones, then you contracting someone to build new rifles of a very old design. It makes way more sense to buy new rifles of an updated design.
@@mikebaggott7802 Oh, for sure. But you hear people say (fairly) things in criticism of it, but I know from the “research” I’ve done that a good number of the criticisms or flaws are perfectly fixable and were indeed fixed. And the markets there for sure, Tank firearms makes a *similar* bedding block to the Brookfield one and he sells em pretty regularly.
Good video and excellent choice of scotch!
shooting that run from rucksack is elite
That was great. Man and rifle working together.
Thank you for an excellent demonstration of what one of these rifles can do at its best, as well as the honest discussion around what it takes to get one to that point (and keep it there). I love my M1A; there is just something about the look, and feel, and shooting experience of it that screams "hard core". Mine has also been 100% reliable (but then, I don't put it through Garand Thumb style torture tests), and accuracy is... acceptable. That said, it would certainly not be the first rifle (or second...) I would pick up if I knew I were going into a war zone tomorrow. On the flip side, if that was all I had at hand, I certainly wouldn't feel under-gunned.
I always enjoy your videos. Years ago I had Smith Enterprise build a Crazy Horse M21A5 for me, it's an awesome rifle that started out in a GI synthetic stock and now sits in a light weight Blackfeather chassis stock. The rifle is very accurate and reliable, the problem is that I no longer have access to a shooting range with the distances it's made for so I am going to have Ron Smith convert it into one of his K guns in the near future... that's the plan. EDIT: I don't shoot my M14s scoped, I use an RDS mounted low in front of the receiver or the iron sights - I also shoot them suppressed, but that will not be an option with the K gun.
Ive had my SA match M1A for quite some time. Over the years its made its way into a JAE100 chassis. The thing is a tank and I really enjoy bench shooting it. That being said its only a 1.5-2moa gun with me behind the trigger but i still love it and will probably never get rid of it.
Well, your kicking ass and taking names.
Wow!
That was a good benchmark to start this series off!
Hey guys, nice work. By the way, what version do you like most, Xm25, m14 ebr or the m39 emr? Keep up the good work!
XM25 hands down!
@@9HoleReviews @9HoleReviews i built my own mk14 with a 22" M1A if you'd be interested in using it :) Leupold Mk4 4.5-14 scope so it's not completely accurate but really close to the Mk14-RI
God I love that rifle 😍
cool, guys, love m21, love your videos, i always can learn so much from your channel about guns,
Be interested to see you guys do practical accuracy and speedway with the scar 20
Finally bought the SBI rail covers. They're a good value.
absoluetly amazing content!
God, that is such a sexy ass rifle you got there, Henry. Great job on the run!
Thanks!
Fuckin' Irene baby
That was just an amazing run!
always great videos from 9 hole
Beast mode.
Loved this one
The same people bitching M14 bedding is crucial to accuracy, dont seem to understand that it is just as finicky and important to bolt action rifles?
I would find it especially useful if you discuss the 100-yard accuracy of each rifle with the ammo used in the test. Also I would like to know details of the components, especially ones that are different from "base" or more common versions of the rifle (barrel profile, length, who made the barrel and any special details, if, for example a different twist rate, etc ). For example, you mentioned that the original gunsmith for the M21 messed it up. What precisely did he do wrong?
Thank you
we will cover all that in a comprehensive documentary style "classic" video later. The original gunsmith torqued the barrel on incorrectly. In fact he over torqued it and we had to rehab his issues. It happens to these old timers who have a reputation and take in way more work than they can handle, then find themselves just trying to turn things through their shop with poor QC.
@@9HoleReviews Thank you!
Awesome shooting
Clean run
You're a really great shot, Henry.
Really enjoyed, thanks
my Mk14-at-home (really it's closer to the Mk14-RI since mine is a 22" barrel) was my first rifle. yes, my first. my first pistol was also a USP. it's all been downhill from there.
I'd love to see an ebr ri on here one day.
Thats an awesome rifle you build there
good show fellas. informative
I have 2 m1a a scout in a ebr and a loaded in a j allen both with Springfield 4x14x56 I love them I use 168 with 42.3 win 748
Why is the M14/21 just so damn pleasing to the eye?
Fine tuning by making fine compensations between form and function, it is the high luxury of precision and accuracy which if you wish for them, requires as much delicacy and carefulness as it is needed when you have to see all the wall carpets in the palace while wandering but not letting the oil drop out of the spoon which you are carrying in the novel Al-chemist by Paulo Coelho.
Great discussion today, very interesting. Especially when subsequent rifles such as the SR25 had terrible barrels something not yet forgiven by users in the field. Its very bad it took so long for the M110 given America's capabilities.
What is the terrible barrel story of the sr25's? I haven't heard that one.
When did the M110 have "terrible barrels"?
Kick ass shooting.
Perfect run. Never underestimate the M14 family. It outlived every other classic Battle Rifle, like the G3, FAL, BM59, and STGW-57, and modern Battle Rifles like the SCAR-17
LOL, wut? 😂
@@justsomeguy922r3 no country that originally adopted any of those guns still use them. They were surplused to other countries, turned into parts kits, destroyed. Hell the M14 is the only one to survive into the GWOT, and is still going.
I think most notable about your reload is that at the start of the course you broke your trigger hand to rack the bolt rather than doing the under the rifle rack. You guys just spoke about this during your AK speedrun as well. Interestingly during your AK run you racked the bolt in traditional Soviet fashion, or at least as it was designed to be done by breaking your pistol grip. In this case you started out doing that, but seemingly reverted to the American style right side charging handle reload at the end of the course when you needed to reload.
Seems to me that the Western doctrine is more ingrained in your muscle memory than the Eastern.
Fine shooting Henry!
Well I feel much more confidant in my PTR-91/AK4D modernization and accurization project now, though I agree with Hop, it's hard as heck, expensive, and heavy
2:19 if you had a way to confirm the targets getting it, like if you were allowed to set up an extra camera or two on the berm overlooking the range, would it be worth it to confirm the hits?
Looking cool is all that matters. Honestly my M1A scout from Springfield Armory has been the least finicky of my M14 style rifles after I put the gas block shim in (I take it out of the stock semi frequently since it is not bedded like my LRB build). I think it has to do with the top handguard having a big hole cut in the middle and the scout rail stiffening and cooling the barrel near the oprod guide. I can't get my 16" EBR build to group at all unless I do a really hard hold with the stock and bipod and throw a can on it (going to try hand loads after my long range AR project)
Almost a perfect run. Amazing discussion as always.
The reloading issue correlates well with the previous episode. Trying to do something unnatural in a safe environment just ain't it. The struggle to find that bolt handle was beyond real.
Please revisit the M16a1 with a 4x optic to see how much of a Improvement it is.
You're definitely on the list of people I'd rather not mess with beyond arm's reach.
After completing sniper school, I was issued a M21 rifle with Leatherwood A.R.T. II scope.
(2/75 Ranger Bn)
For the time, mid 1970s, it was an advanced platform and was very accurate up to about 750 yards.
But to compare 1970s weapon technology to modern battle/sniper rifle technology is frankly unfair.
Psg1 utterly crushes it, the ak4d is a cheaper upgrade path to a psg1. So I think comparing the ak4d is totally far since it's a g3 based rifle. Fyi the psg1 is 1972
Thank you
It’s just a gorgeous rifle.
Love it!!!
damn that was fast
Food Wishes with 9 hole reviews. As always enjoy.
Ken Hackathorn told me, "I was talking to Carlos Hathcock, and I asked him, 'Is there one question people never ask you, that you think is really important?' He said, 'Everyone wants to talk to me about the great shots I made. No one ever asks me about all the misses.' I said, 'What do you mean, all the misses?' He said, 'I rarely hit with the first shot. Usually I'd miss with the first shot, I'd see the bullet splash, adjust based on that, and hit with the second shot, or sometimes even the third.'"