T44E4 Development

[Bill Ricca]

Some individuals interested in the M14 history want to learn more about the development. This manual is dated June of 1955. It covers the T44E4's production by Springfield Armory in 1954/55. I also have the same manual on the T48, but it creates no interest inside my brain.



Here is a close up of the Gas System. This early gas cylinder is missing the outside ledge on the bottom which supports the front band. During early production of the M14 in 1959, this gas cylinder was still being used.







Here is the difference: Top one is early version.

Information

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[RCS]

Earliest production dated SA barrel that I have found is SA 1 60 (came from Roland Beaver)
and have seen Winchester 62 dated barrels.Attachment 34378

[Bob Seijas]

Was that added ridge meant to solve the early problem of the action coming out of the stock during rapid fire?

[Mark in Rochester]

IIRC the ridge was added to prevent the rifle from coming apart when used as a step - two troopers holding rifle at either end - remaining troops step on rifle to quickly move over obstacle

[Bob Seijas]

There's this from Part 3 of Frank Iannamico's M14 story that will appear in the GCA Summer Journal that should be arriving next week (I misremembered it as due to rapid fire):

"Reports from the field had indicated that during certain bayonet maneuvers, the action of the rifle would pull away from the stock. After study, a change was made to the gas cylinder by adding a supporting boss to the underside to retain the front band in position. Since the gas cylinder was a forged component, a change had to be made to the forging die. This change was successful in securing the barrel to the stock."