POTD: The Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle
The Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle is based on the M14, the standard-issue rifle for the U.S. Army from around 1957. But the Mk 14 was released in 2002, just 23 years ago, and is a much more modern design than most people imagine. Brownells did a great post on X about it, and it’s too good not to share on TFB’s Photo Of The Day.
At 11.24 lb (5.1 kg) unloaded, this rifle is a beast and seems to have been designed before any weight considerations started to come into effect.
Brownells' caption:
“The man behind the EBR - Ron Smith of Smith Enterprises is the premier builder and master of the Mk14 Mod 0 (and associated M14 platforms) For over 40 years, Ron has fulfilled various military contracts to multiple branches with impeccable workmanship and ludicrous speed. The master machinist behind SEI also provides services to civilians also looking to get the very best out of their M14 based platform.”
The fact that the United States Navy SEALs were the first to use the Enhanced Battle Rifle only helps with creating its legacy.
You can find Brownells here: https://www.brownells.com/
and Smith Enterprise here: https://www.smithenterprise.com/
Source: Brownells on X
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
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If i"m going to do anything with my M1A/M14, it's going to be with Fulton Armory.
Its a majority ruling. Smith Enterprise is extremely over rated. They claim their M14 scope mounts are US made, but 100% get them in bulk from China and rebrand them. Ron is not nearly that difficult to deal with as Big Headed Andy is. Andy has drank the coolaid and followed Ron around so long, that he cant work anywhere else. Sad, as he's a vet.
The Vortex flash hiders are no longer produced by Rons father. Since his passing theyve been outsourced to Fisher and others after that and with the DC 14 attached have almost .115" lateral play as read on dial indicator. This was brought up to Andy in the past, but Andy blew his top and wanted to fight, leading to his removal from the retail shop. Sad.... Ron is a good American, but is so busy looking over his shoulder for unhappy folks that got burned, that he cant be himself anymore. He makes some cool old school knives too, but not worth the drama to stop by booth at SAR anymore.....