I saw an AK-47 while in Vietnam and it had a 30 round magazine. So I cut the top and bottom off of a couple of M-14 Magazines and welded them together and made a “40” Round magazine for my M-14. It really didn’t work very well when test firing it, several of the last rounds would not chamber with only two springs. So I put “three” springs into the magazine, but then I could only load a little over 30 rounds. There just wasn’t enough room for three springs and 40 Full Metal Jacket rounds in that magazine. I sure received some strange looks while walking around with my 40 round magazine.
Semper Fi,
Larry
Improvise, adapt and overcome. Hmm, familiar theme here ?! OOHRAH!
Outstanding!!
I to served in Vietnam with the Marines and I also carried the M14. My opinion is that is one of the best combat weapons. I would to collect one today, expensive! That is a ingenious engineering job to weld 2 20s together. Only a Marine could get it done. Semper fi and God bless all who have served.
It looks like the old 8inch SP Howitzer. I went to Vietnam with 3rd 8” in 1966.
I followed you in ’69. 0811. Bravo platoon and HQ. Big guns are good. Size matters. Semper fi
I was in the 3rd 8inch(0844) in 1959 to 1962.
Like to collect one today
We did that aboard ship, with the help of the Navy machinist mates, during the Cuban Crisis. APA 227, USS Renvill (SP). 3/7 from Pendleton, through the canal, onto the blockade. We were to be the landing force in to Cuba.
It’s the creativeness and ingenuity of Marines like you that continually have ideas that make for a better Marine Corps.
Nice work, SF.
The 2 springs were probably the problem. Too bad you couldn’t have made a single spring. I have seen 40 round mags for sale on the internet that use only one spring. Great idea though.
Bonnie and Clyde did the same thing, taking three BAR magazine and had some out of work machinist, giving them the equivalent of approximately three years of wages to produce a single 57-round Magazine(s). Innovation isn’t anything new, just the imagination of its user using it is…
The red flag was “it really didn’t work too well” …
That was one reason the M16 didn’t come with a decent 30 round magazine for several years: Failures to feed. What you end up with are malfunctions which, in combat, can prove rather awkward.
As a footnote, the old M55 8-inch SP was THE most accurate artillery piece I ever worked with … With a good gun crew and FDC, you could drop a round into a 55 gallon drum at 10,000 meters. Old 0811/0844/0846 11th & 12th Marines
Great shoutout. When I read it, I couldn’t help but mumble, “Improvise, Adapt and Overcome”.
Back in the day when the Stoner/Colt, M16 was the new standard issue, it was a quick end for end swap over on electrical tape. I had came up with a design for a 40, then a 30. With the help of a machinist buddy, a good number of spring combinations tried, tested along with time tuning the feed lips, I finally got the first one reliably working. As you stated, in the field, I could have sold box loads of them.
My brother (Army) humped a special built 14 for mid range range work. Not much bad one can say about a 14, all good, except the bulk/weight of the weapon and the large rounds. Not my choice back when and not today. When we get together to tell stories from the 60’s/70’s, inevitably, he magically pulls his old M14 (still has a few) out of his truck. We walk over to my range and burn some powder. While I won’t tell you who prevails, I will say, I prefer my SCAR Heavy. Both great weapons, the ole guard of years gone by and a contemporary battle axe.
OOHRAH!
I was in 1st MAW in ChuLai 68-69. I was issued an M14 with a selector. Loved the M14. In 1990 when Clinton had the ” assault weapons” ban I bought an M1A from Springfield Armory. A few years ago I was at a gun show and found a 30 round mag. I had to have it. Now I have 2 M1As and love them both. Best rifle ever made.
While engaged in my very first firefight, I thought I had loaded my M14 with only a few round. My second magazine was the same way. Then I realized it’s pretty hard to keep track when you’re filling your trousers with S — T.
Jerry Morton
Semper Fi, to ALL.