M14 Forum

Select Fire

Preface: This experience almost didn't take place because my wife gave me the look when she discovered I was packing my M-14 for our drive to Florida. Luckily, I possess Obi Wan Kenobi thought control powers, or she still thinks I'm cute.

Today a range officer stopped by my bench and complimented my rifle and said he served in Vietnam as part of an advisory team early in the war. He commanded a small unit and they all carried Winchester M-14s. He said his had a selector switch like mine, but they never used full auto.

He and five others went to rescue the crew of a downed Huey (he said it was an early underpowered Huey) and as they were trying to extricate an airman, they saw a group of NVA coming toward them. He said they looked like little kids because their uniforms were so big and baggy. His unit had loaded all there mags with tracer ammo. As the NVA came through a valley about 200 yards away his unit opened fire on his command. He said he was thankful he had such an accurate rifle since they were such a small group. I asked him how many rounds they typically carried and he said 200. I'm glad I went to the range.

Dave P

Good story!

I was swapping rifles with a buddy on a back road a while ago; this vet drove by and said something like a "I shot one of those in Nam!". Of course I let him fondle the rifle for a little while.

What range were you at?

Select Fire

I shot at Manatee Gun & Archery Sports Club in Myakka City. Very nice people. It was my first time shooting at 200 yards. Their longest is 1000 yards. I only have low powered binoculars, so I didn't attempt anything beyond that.

mknopfler

I shoot my M1A out to 1000 yards and my M1's to 550 at that same club, great place. Mike the RO knows his stuff.