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The Differences Between a Garand & an M14 Front Sight

In the winter of 1936, the United States began producing what would go on to be the most-produced weapon in its history, the M1 Garand. World War II produced 4 million of these guns, with 6.5 million manufactured when the model was discontinued in 1957. Variants of every kind and use were based on the M1, including the M14. The latter are still in production as sniper rifles for Special Forces operations.

M1 Garand
- John Garand originally conceived the M1 as the standard-issue battle rifle for the United States Armed Forces. Up until this point, the M1903 Springfield was the common battlefield implement, but its bolt-action mechanism made it slow to fire and ill-suited for modern warfare. Firing the highly accurate .30-06 Springfield from an eight round clip, the M1 quickly became a favorite amongst military units, offering a sustained rate of fire and formidable stopping power. Its wood and metal construction meant it could weather any conditions -- an asset in the coming conflicts in Europe and Asia, where the M1 would see action in snow, sand, and damp climates.
M14
- Despite all its advanced features and its proliferation as the singular battle weapon, the M1 eventually needed replacing. After years of testing and prototypes, the M14 filled the void the discontinued M1 created. Moving to the now-standard NATO 7.62x51mm round, the M14 had increased range and accuracy over the M1. Furthermore, the addition of a 20-round magazine meant that a soldier did not need to reload quite as frequently and later variations had the option of fully automatic fire. During the Vietnam conflict the M14 was sought after by soldiers who found the newly standardized M16 too much of a "Mattel Toy." The M14 is still in production as a Special Forces sniper rifle.
Differences
- Despite sharing eighty percent similar parts, the M1 and M14 have some distinct differences, most of which give the M14 the modern advantage. Usually overlooked, the change from the Springfield .30-06 round to the NATO standard .308 caliber meant that the M14 did not require specialized ammunition. Instead, rounds used in other common weapons (such as the M16, FN FAL, or G3) had no compatibility issues with the M14. Both the M1 and the M14 started life as wood-constructed rifles; the M14 however, had its stock and grip replaced with fiberglass components. One advantage the Garand has over its younger sibling is a wider front sight, allowing a soldier to watch his target enter the "sweet spot" of the sight.
Legacy
- Thanks to their exacting designs and specifications, the M1 and M14 have built a reputation of formidable firepower and near-indestructibility. These venerable weapons have led to dozens of variations and have been used by armies all across the world, including Taiwan, Greece and the Philippines. A civilian variant, the M1A, is popular among firearm enthusiasts and law enforcement, only needing minor alterations for legality purposes. To this day, there are several variants still used by the U.S. Military, specifically the M21/25 sniper rifles.

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