Best Weapons
71Best Weapons
The best weapons on the market today include, in my opinion, are the H&K USP45, Springfield M14/M1A, Colt or Bushmaster AR15, and the Springfield or Colt 1911, .45 caliber pistol. The weakest of the rifles is the AR15 as it shoots just 5.56mm or .223 Winchester round while the Springfield M14/M1A fires the 7.62mm or .308 Winchester round.
Springfield M14
Springfield M14
The Springfield M14 or M1A as it is known today is the cornerstone of Springfield Armory’s weapon systems. The M14 is a weapon system derived from the M1 Garand which was the primary infantry rifle used in the 1940s during World War II. The M14 did away with the 8-round “en bloc” clips and added a box magazine that would hold 20 rounds. These rounds would be .308 compared to .30-06 rounds that the M1 Garand sported. In 1957, the United States Army began fielding the M14 rifle but did not begin receiving the rifles until July 1959. However, due to production delays the 101st Airborne Division was the only Army unit fully equipped with the M14 by the end of 1961. The total number of rifles fielded was 1.38 million and cost just over $143. The M14 served in Vietnam early on but was eventually replaced in 1966-1967 by the M16. And though the M14 was designed to replace 4 of the primary weapons used in World War II, it did not succeed due to various issues.
When the war in Afghanistan kicked off, the US Military again called on the M14 rifle to be used as a designated marksman weapon due to its knockdown capability and semi-automatic sniper fire capabilities. The Springfield M14 and its variants were used due to its excellent accuracy and effectiveness at long ranges. Some common modifications of the Springfield M14/M1A include scopes, fiberglass stocks, and various other accessories.
The M14/M1A sports the 7.62mm NATO (.308 Winchester) round; the barrel is 22 inches with 1 turn to ever 12 inches, right hand, four-groove carbon steel; it weighs 9.2 lbs and is 44 1/3 inches long; the M14 contains a rotating bolt and is a gas operated, air cooled, semi-automatic magazine fed weapon; it sports a Military square sight post on the front and a military aperture with MOA adjustments for both windage and elevation with a 26 ¾ inch sigh radius on the rear; the most common magazine is a 20 round box magazine and a trigger pull of 5-6 lbs. in a two-stage military trigger.
I own the Springfield M14/M1A with two 20 round magazines, bipod, scope mounting attachment with a SWAT tactical Scope and I currently have the Aimpoint Comp ML2 sight attached to the weapon. The weapon is slightly heavier than I would like but it is deadly accurate and has extreme knockdown power. If I had the choice of weapons to use, I would use this weapon instead of the unreliable M4 that I am required to carry in combat. I would recommend this rifle to anyone as well as other weapon systems
Springfield M14/M1A Rifle
- Springfield M14/M1a
Blog about the Springfield M14/M1A rifle.
H&K USP 45
H&K USP 45
The H&K USP 45 is a great pistol with a great caliber round, the .45 caliber ACP. H&K is a very reputable company and they make great weapons from the G3 to the G36 to all of the USP models and the Mark 23. Check out my blog on the H&K USP 45 for more information on why it is one of the best weapons on the market.
H&K USP .45
- HK USP 45
Blog about the H&K USP .45 Pistol
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Springfield makes amazing weapons... I actually own this weapon as I stated in this hub... It is amazing.
Sounds like you know what your talking about:) It seems like good subject information, for most men!
9lbs? That seems heavy for an out of shape civilian like me. But I get the feeling, it doesn't feel that way after a couple of uses.
Ben
It is a good rifle for what it is: a semi-auto battle rifle, which is now a sniper/marksman rifle, since regular grunts get assault rifles.
The problem with the Army's deployment after WW2 was they are trying too hard to consolidate. They are trying to shoehorn the M-14 into the role of FOUR different weapons: the Garand battle rifle, the M3 "Grease Gun" submachine gun, the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), and the M1 Carbine (usually carried by airborne), by just slightly upgrading the Garand. While Garand is a brilliant piece of hardware (Patton called it the greatest instrument of war made), it was NOT mean to be things it was never designed for.
Due to the use of the 7.62 rounds, the M-14 kicked like a mule (when compared to something like M-16), and it is impossible to control on full auto (yes, M-14 was supposed to do full auto... how else would it replace the BAR and the M3 SMG, both of which are full auto) As a result, the weapon was not successful.
When the US decided that the idea was foolish, and went to procure separate weapons for their individually different roles, the M-14 enjoyed a resurgence. (H&K MP5's for SMG, the Stoner LMG and other LMGs for the BAR, the M-4 for the carbine...)
M-14's main problem is low volume of fire, and thus lack of suppression, but if you have the range to work with, and is not in danger of any anti-sniper weapons (RPG, mortar, other snipers), it can be a very deadly weapon.
Sounds like a nice rifle. My father said he liked the Springfield in the old army. In World War 2 he liked the M-1. In my police days I was a revolver expert with the 357 magnum. I was never on the range with a rifle, but I am excellent shot with a rifle. I always liked guns, but I never fire them anymore. It has been many years. GBY
I have to agree 100% with the preference to the 308 Nato over the .223 Remington, sir. Although the .223 is a beautifully flat shooting round, closer distances dictate the use of a heavier, wider projectile. I've shot many rifles that chamber the .223, but owned on of the least effective (unless you talk to certain British Military and police personnel), being the Ruger Mini 14. In hindsight, the Mini 30 would have been the better choice. The 7.62x39 is an excellent round.
My favorite handgun calibers are the .357 magnum, 10mm (underrated!), 45 Colt (eye to eye distance), and the 44 automag, though I don't own a Wildey or anything cool like that.
I'm very surprised to note the omission of any Galil weaponry, as well as IMI. Not to stick up for the Israelis in any way, but these are two fine weapons.
Good article. I enjoyed it very much.
While I have a Springfield M1a, I must say that in the training that I have had over the past 18 months, the std in the United States is pretty much an AR15 and a Glock 23 or 19. My personal battery is a Springfield XD45 and an AR15. But, I have to say that the M1a and the HK are both fine weapons too.
Great Hub!!!
Eddy2106 2 years ago
i use the springfield in call of duty, and it's a good gun.