Here’s a photo of one of the M14s still being used by the United States Border Patrol. This one was made by Winchester.
The barrel has been cut to 18" and the barrel is capped with a Vortex flash hider. The stock is a VLTOR and the hand guard is a USGI that’s been painted tan to match. Other mods include the addition of a Sadlak extended/widened mag release and an extended bolt stop. Not sure who the bolt stop is from. Probably SEI.
The optic pictured is a Night Force ATACR 1-8 variable.
These heavy patrol rifles (HPRs) have been in use since about 2009-2010 in one form or another. The rifle shown here is actually a “Gen 2” version. The previous model was also cut to 18" but used the old Troy railed stock and handguard. I also posted this over on TOS but figured it was worth a thread over here as well.
I guess if you have barreled receivers for basically ‘free’, I can see it; but with AR10s or ar15 with the right cartridge, I don’t see starting from ‘0’ and going this way. Cool gun, no doubt- and you can’t really fold a stock on an AR10 very well…
Stocks don’t fold but comb height can be adjusted. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hinge on a VLTOR stock.
Yes. Guns were free and already in use in some sectors albeit in stock configuration.
Overall the general consensus is that an AR10 of some type would have been more popular among agents. But the M14 is fine. Weight is what really kills it. As pictured the rifle is something like twelve pounds. An AR10 would be slightly lighter but probably not enough to really make a huge difference.
Interesting. I worked for the US Border Patrol, Havre MT sector HQ in 2001. We had our own indoor range and a small armory. I was surprised to see M14s in the armory. They were straight USGI weapons, no modifications.
My would that be a cool-as-fvck job to have! (assuming you didn’t mind living in PA of course). Play with and work on cool guns, Fed bennies, retirement, oh yeah! The kind of job you could actually look forward to going into each morning.
I looked it up. Sounds like a cool job. Of course you’d have to live in Altoona, PA or that surrounding area.
Likely those are rebarreled with 18" barrels, the GI barrel steps down right behind the flash hider and is a little too thin to just thread for a flash hider. I would like to know how they added the rail to the side that’s something I need to do.
Winchester M14s do in fact exist and were made in the 60s. In the mid 00s I had a DRMO one as a patrol rifle. I doubt it had been previously issued as it was in immaculate condition. Accurate AF too.
Wood and Iron. Only came with two mags. That said it was kind of impractical in hindsight. And seeing them cut up one is kinda depressing.
Even has the famous Winchester logo.
I miss it sometimes. It was an attention getter for sure
Note markings on the barrel. Note “SA” is used in this case.
The rail attachments on the right and left side of the stock. I assume these are straight from VLTOR although they could have been added by armory staff.
Didn’t realize they cut down actual USGI barrels. Not sure how Smith Enterprises built the ones they did for the military during the GWOT. Did they use aftermarket barrels or cut them down?
Smith Enterprises and Crane had new barrels made, they did not use cut down 22"er’s. Not sure who made the SEI barrels but for a while at least Crane was getting barrels from Springfield Armory and they were unchromed to save $$, the SEI barrels were chrome lined. Also the Vltor stock comes with a slick front end, no rails not even a sling swivel they must have added those.
