At Parris Island in August of 1960, we still had the “REAL” rifles (M1 Garands) with stacking swivels. The stacking swivel actually had two very important uses. Number one was to enable the weapon to be stored in the upright position when hooked to two other rifles in a “teepee”. The second was as a motivator as in “All right girls, gettum’ out by the stacking swivels”, which was used by our Drill Instructors when somebody was out of step in the platoon. On this command we had to hold the 9.5 pound weapon straight out from the body by the stacking swivel between the thumb and forefingers of both hands. On a hot August Parris Island grinder, it wasn’t long before the strongest among us was in serious pain trying to stay in an upright position. The stacking swivel was indeed a very important part of Marine Corps lore and the source of sea stories. I hated to see it go.
Cpl Norm Spilleth
’60 – ’64
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It sure would have helped our platoon at P.I. If there was a stacking swivel on the M-14.We never did get the “Stack Arms” right.What a pain I can’t remember for sure but I think we had to use the slings somehow. Harry
The M14 , to me, was the best rifle out there. When you could put 5 shots in the bull eye at 500 yards, what else could you say. I have tried to find one, to help keep my memories.
I completely agree on the M-14. Buy yourself an M1A, it’s an upgraded (Cadillac version) M-14. I have two (different versions) and I love shooting them. Even with my old eyes I can still put em in the bulls eye with this rifle. One of, if not THE best ever made.
Never carried the 14 but Mr Garrand made sure that I got all of an 8 round clip in the eye……heavy but I loved shooting this gun….OOPs! I mean weapon, rifle. Except for the “ping”, an excellent weapon. JW pfc, India company 1/3
I have been told that platoon 328,R company,3rd.Bat, PISC,that we were the last to use the M 1s,the next training recruits got the M14. This was Sept 6th. 1961 when we out posted off the Island for ITR Camp Geiger. Four of us were from Deep South East Texas, of course we got the same old “what the hell are you doing here” question daily‼️ The answer. That’s what our orders said‼️‼️‼️ Cpl. H. Kelley USMCR 1961-1967.
I was in 2nd Bn K Co Plt 238 at P.I from July 1961and we graduated in late September or early October and we were armed with M-1’s and we carried them to ITR at Camp Geiger and those of us being stationed at Camp LeJeune kept our M-1’s until April 1962 when we received the M-14 prior to leaving for the Med Cruise with BLT 2/6. In the early 2000’s I purchased an M-1 and love it but I am surprised at how heavy it is after more then 55 years.
I packed one from 51 to 54 on a free trip to the far east , was my best friend . U S Rifle Cal 30 M1 Serial No 1189005 Semper Fi
Served same time period Ser.Number 1187XXX were u at PI or Diego—– PI 2 battalion platoon 168 Semper Fi
It was an M-14 for me, at MCRD-SD, in Aug. ’67, but I still got to use an M-1, at ITR, Camp Pendleton in the Fall. Our M-1’s were pretty raggedy at that point. Lots of malfunctions. Got real used to clearing jams.
A big Shout-out to Mr.Cpl Norm Spillith for that story.- From one Marine to another.THANK YOU for that story.SEMPER FI DO OR DIE ORRAHHH ?? ????????
I remember the first “stack arms” command, (we had been shown how to engage said stacking swivel) and the resulting crash because someone else got it wrong when engaging the swivel. Of course it was never the one who actually did it wrong (maybe me) that got punished. This entailed all three “idiots” placing the rifles on the backs of your hands, arms extended forward, while standing at attention. As described by our DI..”until hells freezes over, or the sun comes up in the morning.” Not to be outdone, a minimum of 60 (or maybe more), of our platoon suffered the same fate. All, of course “idiots”, were never going to survive and were there to only destroy the DI’s Marine Corps. After receiving the Honor Flag upon graduation, all was forgiven. As an aside:…I don’t ever recall stacking arms again using said swivel. But time does remove some memories…
Like many here, I had the M1 in Boot Camp, ITR and even while in the 3rd Marine Division (1961-62), We received the M14 about July-August 1962 while on Okinawa. I recall qualifying twice with the M1 and the command “With a clip and two loose rounds, lock and load” for the ten round string of fire. After the Corps, I became a deputy sheriff and recall an academy class where the Defense Tactics Instructor (a former Marine DI) told how to break up a bar fight: “Ya grab the miscreant by the stacking swivel and the butt plate and run the azzwipe thru the hatch!” This drew laughs from the Marines and bewildered looks from the civilians in the class; we knew exactly what he meant.
Norm, you do bring back some painful memories of our University Of Parris Island. Semper- Fi brother.
WHAT A GREAT SUMMER CAMP P . I. , M- 1 OUTSTANDING RIFLE
I used an M1 in training but I think it was ITR not PI. 1966, I remember the M1 thumb,
I went through P.I. January to March 1966, Platoon 215. We were issued the M14 but had the M1 at Camp Geiger in ITR. D.I.’s can always find a way to punish recruits no matter what rifle they are issued. Since the M14 had no stacking swivel, we had to hold it at arms length by balancing it on the forefinger of one hand by the bayonet stud while at attention. Woe be it to anyone who would let his rifle hit the deck!
“Real” rifles at PI. I think I was in the last group in PI to use “real” rifles. I went through in March – June 1973, with the M-14. After that were the M-16. I have been told that an empty M-14 was much better use than am empty M-16. Much heavier and more durable than the (mostly plastic) M-16. Though with the lower weight, you could probably carry more M-16 ammo. I was not in during any actual combat (1973 – 1977), so no actual experience using a rifle as a hitting weapon. I was also in one of the last series to go from PI to Camp LeJeune (NC) for infantry training during the 8th week of Basic. Our bus was going through Myrtle Beach, SC in early May (start of bikini season) and we lost 6 guys jumping out the bus windows. It was kind of a hot ride the next week going back to PI in busses with windows welded shut.
Norm; I remember you from some base? But I too remember the old M1 while at Camp LeJeune………I was also a flamethrower operator and a BAR man but carried the “greasegun” in Vietnam…………Corporal Paul Annetts-1961-1967 and 1980
We had the M-14 in May thru Aug 1969 in MCRDSD. used it in ITR and Mt muther. Went to Nam in 70 and got the toy M-16. Heard stories from Marines that had been in country and close combat and they would prefer the M-14, 1. better knock down power. 2. Heavier is better for but strokes to the head. I would tend to agree even though I have not had to do that. But for accuracy in qualifying I would prefer the M-14. Also they do have the Socom M1A is the modernize M-14.
I was in Platoon 2090 from May thru August 1969. We also had the M-14 in boot but was issued the M-16 in ITR. Also arrived in Nam in Feb 1970.
Loved the M-1. Don’t remember holding them by the Stacking Swivel, but I do remember having to hold one laid across my outstretched arms standing at attention. It got heavy real quick. was at PI 1961. Got the M-14 while on Okinawa in 1964. Nat a bad rifle either. Respectfully L/Cpl Richard Getz 1961 – 1965
Carry a 45 for my few yrs true heaven
Parris Island Oct 66, we had M-14`s. Great weapon. Trained wth M1’s at Camp Geiger. Another fine weapon with less ammo capacity. Got to 2/5 in Mar of 67 issued an M14. Late May 67 was issued M16. A total piece of shit that cost many Marines their lives.
I fired the M-1 before I entered the Corps, qualified Expert with the M-14 and, of course, carried the M-16 in Nam. Both the M-1 and the M-14 are excellent weapons but the 20 rounds magazine gave the M-14 an edge. I know the M-16 caught a lot of flack but on Hill 826 the night we got overrun, being able to switch to auto on the M-16 saved my life and that of a fellow Marine I shared a position with. It was a privilege to use ay of them along with the M-60 & the M-79.
While we had the M-16, I do remember my Drill Instructor inflicting similar pain by making us hold the rifle at Port Arms with the left hand and pulling back the charging handle and holding it completely to the rear with the right hand. Only had to do that a couple times before we got our stuff wired tight. I remember him even saying “The rules say I can’t touch you, but that does’t mean I can’t hurt you.”
1stBn CCo Plt 26 PI June 1955. During FinalField one of our stacks fell.We had been threatened with death if this were to happen and someone did not ACT fast. Someone did,the stack an feigned “fainting”. The Inspection team immediately claimed he was faking and had been instructed to do this. Our Senior DI took charge,called for an ambulance and the inspection continued. When we got back to our squad bat the stacker was already there and was given a “job well done” by all our DI’s.
Ah yes, I remember well the stacking swivel on the M1. I also was at Parris Island from August til November of 1960. Platoon 180 Charlie Co. 1st Battalion. Best shooting rifle I ever held.
For every Marine, there’s a ‘real rifle’, some might have said the 03 was the ‘real rifle’. Ask some of the opposing side in World War I. – https://www.freewebs.com/millrat_usmc/marinesofworldwari.htm my web page on World War I Marines. I started with the M1 than the M14 that I taught recruits to shoot, in-between my 17 months in Vietnam. I best explain the numbers, in 1965 I was part of Bravo 3rd Recon, on arriving on Okinawa the infantry companies found themselve short of squad leaders. Join India/3/4, four months later I was told to leave. my two year in-accompied tour on Hawaii had come to an end, next a tour of Edison Range. Got orders back to Vietnam, ending with Golf/2/1. I will stop here.
Went through PI in 1982. 1st Bn, Plat 1041. My Drill Instructors used to make us stand on line holding our M16 rifles straight out in front by the barrel between the front sight and flash supressors with our right hand. After a few minutes, it was just like the guys with the M1. No matter how strong you were, you couldn’t hod the rifle for very long. Techniques have changed little troughout the years.
There is the Old Saying, “Grab them by the stacking swivel, jar their butt plate lose, and blacken their peep sights.”
I arrived at PI in June of 1960 for boot camp and Camp Geiger and we only had the M1. I was in platoon 152, 1st Bn and loved the M1. A few years after completing my tour I purchased one from the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) and still enjoy shooting it. It cost me $400 buck in the 1980’s and it is in pretty good shape. When I fire that rifle I feel like I have a cannon in my hands. Once when marching back from the 3rd BN rifle range (as best I can recall) we got caught in a bad storm. The M1’s had no finish on them and they literally turned red with rust. We were told to turn to on cleaning them before we did anything else. I have read that the M1 would continue to fire under the worst of conditions. That said I would really like to own an M-14, but no luck so far. They are quite costly. Anyone has any advice on that please reach out to me. My email is keelerbarracks.1@gmail.com. God bless the Maine Corps and all the men and women who make the Corps what it is, year after year. Semper Fi.
You can buy a version of the M-14 called the M1A1 at all of the major sports dealers but, it is not cheap! I bought a mini 14 back in the mid 80s (223 cal) lots of fun to shoot!Harry
Used this on my sons, keep it up GD and I’ll grab you up by the stack and swivel! Qualified with and Loved the M-1. Like wise for the 14. Coached at PI