There is a new patrol rifle being fielded by Border Patrol Agents [Tucson Sector].
Designated the M14E, the picture below is one of the second generation M14s of the USBP Heavy Patrol Rifle Program. This program was started in order to deploy a weapons platform utilizing a cartridge with barrier penetration capabilities superior to the .223 round currently used in service M4A1s. This need was in part due to the rise in near misses by vehicular assault.
The decision to utilize the M14 platform was due to the fact that USBP already had a number of M14s available in storage. We hope in the future to upgrade to an AR platform in 7.62 or [God willing] SCAR 17s.
The first generation of this program consisted of an M14 outfitted with a 3.5x ACOG, Troy Industries Battle Chassis, Troy BUIS, LMT SOPMOD Stocks, Grip Pod and Smith Enterprise Vortex flash suppressor on a 16 inch barrel. These were HEAVY and looked like something out of Starship Troopers.
The second generation of the M14E has the following:
3.5x ACOG on a receiver mount
FDE Vltor M14 Stock
FDE Magpul CTR with cheek riser and enhanced buttpad
Sadlak Extended Magazine Catch
Smith Enterprises flash suppressor and bolt release,
Tangodown Battle Grip
VTAC Sling
GG&G Bipod
16" Barrel.
This setup is lighter than its predecessor, but is still pretty heavy. I do miss my issued M4 when climbing hills.
While the Vltor stock makes the M14 more ergonomic, I find it also makes an already nose heavy rifle even more so. You really have to tuck in the stock when reloading.
Also, the lack of iron sights is of concern. For our purposes, I would have preffered a scout mount with scout scope or RDS with the iron sights still in place.
It was hammered into us that this IS NOT a DMR type rifle, even though the choice of optics would seem to suggest otherwise. While they aren’t tack drivers, they are definitely combat-accurate to 500 yards.
