I think the timeframe of the few semi-auto M14's manufacture was around 1963-64. ATF had NO say over Army use, manufacture and distribution of weapons. Still don't. Had the Army chosen to make a limited run of semi-auto M14's they would certainly been able to sell/issue them to civilians. They are still disposing of semi-auto M1's via the CMP
. This was a good idea that never happened. Too bad.