Over the years the M14-derived sniper rifles such as the M21 and M25 have had minor shortcomings.  The M21 rifle had an expoxy-impregnated wooden stock and fiberglass bedding with steel inserts for accuracy, but this required armorer support for maintenance.  [M25 rifles cured the bedding problem by the installation of a McMillan fiberglass stock.]  The standard flash suppressor with its nut and set screw arrangement could cause accuracy problems.  Installation of a sound suppressor required the removal of the standard flash suppressor and front sight as an assembly.  The standard M14 bolt lock (latch) could be difficult to manipulate.  Ron Smith at Smith Enterprise did an analysis of the rifle action in the stock, the barrel, gas system, flash and sound suppressors of the M14/M21/M25 rifles to upgrade them with current technology.  His development was the called M14SE (for Smith Enterprise) semi-automatic sniper system.  Development work was completed before the end of 2004.

 

The M14SE was a direct outgrowth of the on-going U.S.-Iraqi War that began on 20 March 2003.  The Iraqi conventional forces were defeated in short order by overwhelming U.S. and allied forces.  However, without traditional Iraqi security forces to keep things under control, sectarian conflict broke out into a guerilla war, with a lot of military aid coming from the Iranians.  To beef up American ground forces in-theater, the U.S. began redeploying units from other areas.  One of these units was the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division based in South Korea.  Orders were received by the division staff to prepare its components for relocation to Iraq in May 2004.

 

One of the division staff noted that many individual soldiers were purchasing Smith Enterprise, Inc. accessories, scope mounts, and scope rings for their M14 rifles.  Major Kim Zimmerman of the 2nd ID approached Leopold & Stevens to purchase optical sights and rings for 20 of the division's 110 M14 NM (National Match) rifles before it deployed to Iraq.  Leopold provided assistance to the 2nd ID and told MAJ Zimmerman about the capabilities of Smith Enterprise.  In discussions between MAJ Zimmerman and Smith Enterprise over the month of June 2004, it was determined that the needs of the 2nd ID could be met by the upgrade of its M14 NM rifles.  The remanufactured M14SE rifles would provide accurate, powerful firepower to engage enemy targets at medium and long range.  MAJ Zimmermans was convinced the solution was the M14SE and he briefed the division commander, Major General George Higgins.  MGEN Higgins immediately saw the need to upgrade his stock of M14 NM rifles to the M14SE configuration.  He told MAJ Zimmerman to write a sole source contract to Smith Enterprise for conversion of the division's M14 NM rifles.  The contract was awarded to Smith Enterprise in July 2004 without either officer having seen the M14SE.  [Note: All U.S. military units have a fund for open purchase of items they consider mission essential.  The M14SE rifle was definitely considered mission essential.  The M14 NM rifles themselves were owned by the 2nd ID, they were not on loan, and so the contract was approved.  The 2nd ID became the first Army unit to employ a sound-suppressed sniping system in the Iraqi theater of operations.]

 

At the time the contract for the M14SE was in-progress, the Army's Director of Combat Development at Ft. Benning, Georgia was setting requirements for the XM110 SASS (Semi-Automatic Sniper System).  Smith Enterprise briefed Combat Development about the M14SE and convinced them that the XM110 SASS requirements could be met by the existing M14 rifle platform at a very economical cost.  Combat Development at Ft. Benning also kept their opposite numbers at Combat Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, in the loop about the 2nd ID purchase of the M14SE.  The 2nd ID transferred 110 M14 NM and M21 rifles to Smith Enterprise in September 2004.  The rifles were flown by the USAF from Osan AFB, Korea, directly to Luke AFB in Arizona.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2nd ID were in poor shape from years of neglect.  They were disassembed, inspected, converted, and re-assembled.  The M14SE conversion contract was completed 28 September 2005.  As batches of converted rifles became available, they were loaded aboard USAF aircraft at Luke AFB and flown to Baghdad, Iraq.  M14SE rifles were marked: 2 I.D. (first line) and O.I.F. (Operation Iraqi Freedom on the second line).  Rifles wer provided with either the Leopold 3.5-10x40mm or 1.5-5x20mm scopes with illuminated reticles.  The M14SE rifles used the Smith Enterprise combination gas cylinder lock front sights.  In late 2004, a member of the Armys 5th Special Forces began testing a Smith Enterprise adjustable trigger group in Iraq.  In 2005, other Army units began upgrading their M14 NM and M21 rifles to the M14SE standard.

 

 

 

 

As converted, the M14SE uses the M14 receiver, bolt and operating rod; everything exlse is changed out.  The M14SE modifications: (1) a synthetic G.I. stock without lugs or bedding; (2) a 22-inch medium 1-in-10 twist, four groove, stainless steel barrel chambered for the M118 LR cartridge; (3) the receiver, new barrel, and bolt are cryogenically treated; (4) the gas cylinder, gas cylinder plug, and front band are nitrocarburized for wear resistance; (5) the gas system is unitized; (6) the gas piston is high density chrome plated; (7) a Smith Enterprise scope mount and 30mm heavy duty tactical tall ring set is provided; (8) a choice between two models of Leopold scope sights; (9) a strap-on cheek rest; (10) a Smith Enterprise direct connet flash suppressor (Vortex); (11) a Smith Enterprise combination gas cylinder lock front sight; (12) a Smith Enterprise extended bolt lock (latch); (13) a tuned trigger group for a crisp 4-1/2 pound pull; (14) Smith Enterprise rear sight assembly; and (15) a manganese phosphate coating to military specification.

 

 

In the summer of 2005, Smith Enterprise converted 100 M14 rifles for the USAF pararescue teams.  USAF rifles are called the M14SEI and differ from the M14SE as follows: (1) the Sage Intenational, Ltd. Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR stock is used in place of the synthetic G.I. stock; (2) it is fitted with an 18-inch medium weight barrel chambered for the M118 LR cartridge.  Like the M14SE, the M14SEI is designed to full the requirements of the XM110 SASS.  The USAF pararescue teams have reported successful engagement of targets out to 900 yards with their M14SEI rifles fitted with a Leopold 3.5-10x40mm illuminated reticle scopes. 

 

Each M14SEI is carefully assembled and lubricated with MD Labs XF7 weapons lubricant.  Optional accessories include: (1) an 18-inch medium weight barrel: (2) an adjustable trigger group; (3) an M1907 leather sling or synthetic web sling; (4) a QAD Fisher Enterprises sound suppressor; (5) an angle indiator and mount; (6) a SE Model GLFS-T combination gas cylinder lock dovetail style front sight with tritium insert; (7) a waterproof padded cheek rest; (8) a magazine pouch; and (9) a combined sound suppressor pouch and tool pouch.  The tall, heavy duty tactical 30mm rings are used to keep the combination gas cylinder lock front sight from obsucring the shooter's view through the scope.  The barrel for the M14SEI is made with a 1-in-10 twist for the M118 LR cartridge.  Other cartridges such as M80 Ball, M852 National Match, and M118 Special Ball ammunition all shoot well from this barrel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smith Enterprise, Inc. has also delivered an undetermined number of M14SE rifles to the U.S. Navy for use aboard its warships.  These rifles are equipped with Harris light bipods.