hi , I was recently told that the cmp [ or dcm] sold semi auto 14 thru the cmp [ or dcm ] in the pre 1968 gun control act , these were former military m14 with the selector switch welded for competition, similar to the M1 Nm rifles is true?

 

and how many were sold

     In my early days in the Army, my issue weapon was a US RIFLE 7.62mm M-14. I carried one all through Ranger school in 1969 and again was issued one when I was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.  On a night jump in the Florida phase of Ranger School, my landing was hard and it broke the stock of my M-14 right at the pistol grip. I must have hit a stump because it actually bent something on the receiver and the stock was completely broken off so I turned the butt stock in along with my parachute and air items. At the first ‘enemy ‘ contact my previously semi auto M-14 now fired full auto. I had a submachine gun that was lighter than before. Some sharp eyed Ranger Instructor noticed my strange weapon a few days later and made sure that I got a replacement. At the next RI change over they gave me an M-14E2 with a folding metal bipod and a full stock. It was heavier and the stock was different too. It had a pistol like grip. The RI thought I was getting over, so he took away my shorty submachine gun M-14.

 

My initial thought  to the question was no way did the Government ever release any M-14’s through the DCM (or CMP) because once an M-14 it will always be an M-14 and therefore a prohibited firearm under the NFA. A military M-14 could be converted to full automatic fire with just a few parts including  a selector switch. Most M-14’s did not come issued with the selector switch, but parts could be found.  I started wondering about this question above and dug a bit deeper. My old 1970 copy of Smith and Smith’s Small Arms of the World had the answer. On page 650 in the Arms of the United States section, it states:  “ M-14 National Match Rifle. A match version of the M-14 for use at the National Matches was developed as the result of a requirement set down in 1959. The M-14 National Match Rifle cannot be fired full automatic. (No explanation given) It has a hooded aperture sight and is glass bedded.   The M-14M rifle was intended, as of 1963, for issue to NRA affiliated clubs and for sale through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship. This rifle has been modified by welding the selector shaft and lock to eliminate automatic fire capability. The. ‘M’ in this rifles designation stands for modified service".

 

So, evidently and against my instincts some M-14’s were modified for release. Did any get out? Who knows?

The M14M/NM was issued by the DCM in the late 1970s to State Teams for HP shooting.  All were supposed to be turned in by May of 2007 and returned to Anniston Army Depot. Those that might not have made it back are NFA items in the wild. ATF has long held the position that “once a machine gun, always a machine gun” and no such modifications, even total removal of the switch base from a M14 would change that status.

They were NOT sold thru DCM to individuals so one/any found now are still considered US Govt Property (and NFA)… much like the 1903 & M1 rifles sent to ROTCs, American Legion and VFWs…still US Property on loan to the group from Dept of the Army.

Transferables are out there.

 

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/88/1377/us-trw-m14-class-iiinfa-fully-transferable-machine-gun

A friend of mine owned an original USGI M14. It had been stolen from the Army, and was registered during the 1968 amnesty. There are others out there. I think some came from the H&R museum when they folded, and were auctioned off. Always big bucks. 

I fired my friend’s rifle on full auto. The most useless weapon I’ve ever fired. Nice on semi though.

When I was I college and Ranger school I fired them on full auto (ranger school blanks).  Here is a recent picture of one I lifted from the web, bonus is that it’s a WRA.