Just an fyi post regarding a random M14 vintage sniper rifle circa mid-1970s to approximately 1997....
Historical Overview: Israel reportedly built 10,000 M14 sniper rifles out of the 35,000 rifles that the USA gave them in 1973 following the Yom Kippur War. Originally in the mid-1970s I have read that they used the old 4x Wild Heerbrugg scopes from the K98 sniper rifles. In the mid-1980s' they upgraded to the 6x40mm ‘Nimrod’ scope. The final scope used was the Kahles 6x42mm 'Futonic' scopes with large rubber sun shades, which were introduced in 1994 on the IDF M14 rifles. I think these rifles were kept in reserves into the mid-200Xs. I suspect most of them have now been sold off or otherwise disposed of, and I doubt the IDF still maintains M14s in its inventory.
I generally prefer US military items, but I made an exception for this replica as its kind-of unique looking. One other interesting historical analogue is that the US Army 'officially' replaced the M21 sniper rifle in favor of the M24 SWS in 1988, but the IDF kept using their M14s snipers until they too were replaced around 1997 with the same rifle, the Remington-made M24 SWS. Here's some project pics for anyone interested:
Here’s a picture of the rifle when it was in service.
First, given that my IDF scope had been painted/re-furbed at some point, I decided that a light re-spray of the vintage IDF stock would probably be okay, but normally I would leave a vintage stock as-is. My sling is pretty fresh looking too. So, other than wear on the buttpad and minor blemishes on the stock from military use, this replica looks like an IDF M14 sniper that just came out of an arsenal re-build circa mid-1990s. Left side (complete):
Unique IDF cheek piece is bolted into USGI stock via two long threaded bolts. Its huge and ungainly looking, but ergonomically it works. Note the para cord securing rear sling to rifle. I didn't paint the cheekrest. It had been previously roughly sanded while in service, so I simply added two coats of clear satin enamel finish to slightly restore it.
Scope elevation turret marked "M14" with a BDC from 100 to 800 meters:
Range estimation reticle:
Right side:
Barrel is a medium weight SAI barrel. Front sight is a standard part, but I did use a NM flash hider. Gas cylinders were not unitized on the original IDF sniper rifles, but I plan on doing an AMU-type unitization for this project.
You can see the original M14 serial number of the IDF rifle here, and also some writing on the vintage IDF sling (I don't know any Hebrew, so I can't read it):
Interesting use of double para-cord to secure the sling to the rifle (this is original):
Anyhow, this was an ad hoc project for 2019 due to the purchase of the IDF scope on eBay. It turned out okay given the budget.
So now it just needs a trigger job, a unitized gas cylinder, and fitting a gas lock so it times up correctly, but otherwise its basically finished. I do not have a range report on it yet, but I'll take it out sometime this summer and see how it shoots. Just an fyi post regarding a replica of somewhat unusual vintage sniper rifle.
Historical Overview: Israel reportedly built 10,000 M14 sniper rifles out of the 35,000 rifles that the USA gave them in 1973 following the Yom Kippur War. Originally in the mid-1970s I have read that they used the old 4x Wild Heerbrugg scopes from the K98 sniper rifles. In the mid-1980s' they upgraded to the 6x40mm ‘Nimrod’ scope. The final scope used was the Kahles 6x42mm 'Futonic' scopes with large rubber sun shades, which were introduced in 1994 on the IDF M14 rifles. I think these rifles were kept in reserves into the mid-200Xs. I suspect most of them have now been sold off or otherwise disposed of, and I doubt the IDF still maintains M14s in its inventory.
I generally prefer US military items, but I made an exception for this replica as its kind-of unique looking. One other interesting historical analogue is that the US Army 'officially' replaced the M21 sniper rifle in favor of the M24 SWS in 1988, but the IDF kept using their M14s snipers until they too were replaced around 1997 with the same rifle, the Remington-made M24 SWS. Here's some project pics for anyone interested:
Here’s a picture of the rifle when it was in service.
First, given that my IDF scope had been painted/re-furbed at some point, I decided that a light re-spray of the vintage IDF stock would probably be okay, but normally I would leave a vintage stock as-is. My sling is pretty fresh looking too. So, other than wear on the buttpad and minor blemishes on the stock from military use, this replica looks like an IDF M14 sniper that just came out of an arsenal re-build circa mid-1990s. Left side (complete):
Unique IDF cheek piece is bolted into USGI stock via two long threaded bolts. Its huge and ungainly looking, but ergonomically it works. Note the para cord securing rear sling to rifle. I didn't paint the cheekrest. It had been previously roughly sanded while in service, so I simply added two coats of clear satin enamel finish to slightly restore it.
Scope elevation turret marked "M14" with a BDC from 100 to 800 meters:
Range estimation reticle:
Right side:
Barrel is a medium weight SAI barrel. Front sight is a standard part, but I did use a NM flash hider. Gas cylinders were not unitized on the original IDF sniper rifles, but I plan on doing an AMU-type unitization for this project.
You can see the original M14 serial number of the IDF rifle here, and also some writing on the vintage IDF sling (I don't know any Hebrew, so I can't read it):
Interesting use of double para-cord to secure the sling to the rifle (this is original):
Anyhow, this was an ad hoc project for 2019 due to the purchase of the IDF scope on eBay. It turned out okay given the budget.
So now it just needs a trigger job, a unitized gas cylinder, and fitting a gas lock so it times up correctly, but otherwise its basically finished. I do not have a range report on it yet, but I'll take it out sometime this summer and see how it shoots. Just an fyi post regarding a replica of somewhat unusual vintage sniper rifle.
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