When did USMC receive the M14 ??

[2111]

Wikipedia states:
" It gradually replaced the M1 Garand in US Army service by 1961 and in US Marine Corps service by 1965."

A friend of mine turned in his M1 Garand and was issued a M14 at MCAS Beaufort in Jan. 1962.
I would like to know if anyone knows of a date in 1961 or before that the M14 may have been issued to the Marine Corps ?? Seems to me that the infantry units would have received the M14 before the Air Wing.
I did read on another forum that someone has a photograph of the Commandant of the Marine Corps receiving an M14 sometime in 1960.

[2111]

Hollywood Marines: Trained with the men you mean, as opposed to Parris Island Marines who trained with the girls?

Yeah, some us were a bit young and needed a bit more training with girls. So you west coast Marines received your training with "men". Well that answers some questions I had about "Hollywood Marines". Thanks LOL Semper Fi

[the_1st_sgt]

My brother was in the Corps from 57-61 and he never saw an M14. He was always issued an M1. Of course he was with the wing (rotor head) so that could be why.

[Devil Dog]

We were always looked down upon by those who went through the Island. It always had to do with their training being tougher because of the Island's terrain. My response was always that we had it tougher because the PX never had the right kind of wax for out surf boards :-)

I think the big difference was "sun glare" and rain in California. We were not allowed to wear sun glasses or march with umbrellas at MCRD PI.

[the_1st_sgt]

:-) Can't say it rained much except on final inspection day. Trops don't look good when they're wet. However the glare on the beach and in the surf was terrible :-)

[2111]

My brother was in the Corps from 57-61 and he never saw an M14. He was always issued an M1. Of course he was with the wing (rotor head) so that could be why.

I am thinking the Marine Corps would not have received the M14 prior to the Berlin Garrison, who received the M14 in early Sept. 1961 or the rest of the combat units in Western Europe, who were equipped with the M14 by Oct 1, 1961. At the time Berlin was the hot spot. I doubt the Marine Corps or any other stateside units received the M14 earlier than Oct. 1961, and so far, based on the replies to this post, this seems to be the case.
Do you know the month in 1961 your brother was discharged ??? I believe my friend has his dates correct as he has the dates he received and turned in all rifles issued to him between Feb. 1959 ( M1 rifle 2488400) at MCRD San Diego and the M14 he was issued at MCAS Beaufort (# 367574) in Jan. 1962. He turned that M14 in upon discharge in Jan. 1963.

[the_1st_sgt]

I am thinking the Marine Corps would not have received the M14 prior to the Berlin Garrison, who received the M14 in early Sept. 1961 or the rest of the combat units in Western Europe, who were equipped with the M14 by Oct 1, 1961. At the time Berlin was the hot spot. I doubt the Marine Corps or any other stateside units received the M14 earlier than Oct. 1961, and so far, based on the replies to this post, this seems to be the case.
Do you know the month in 1961 your brother was discharged ??? I believe my friend has his dates correct as he has the dates he received and turned in all rifles issued to him between Feb. 1959 ( M1 rifle 2488400) at MCRD San Diego and the M14 he was issued at MCAS Beaufort (# 367574) in Jan. 1962. He turned that M14 in upon discharge in Jan. 1963.

I want to say around Sept-Oct time frame but I'm not sure as I was about 8 years old at the time. I do know he mustered out at Tustin

[Dolt]

Yeah, some us were a bit young and needed a bit more training with girls. So you west coast Marines received your training with "men". Well that answers some questions I had about "Hollywood Marines". Thanks LOL Semper Fi

That was totally uncalled for as well as hateful, hurtful, harmful and just not true (I don't think). By the way, does anyone know the only word you can spell with USMC?

[the_1st_sgt]

Just talked to my brother. He mustered out in Feb 61 and was still issued an M1. He thinks that the ground units were starting to be issued M14's right around that time.

[2111]

That was totally uncalled for as well as hateful, hurtful, harmful and just not true (I don't think). By the way, does anyone know the only word you can spell with USMC?

Yeah, your right, it was a bit spiteful also. Sorry about that brother. LOL Waiting on the answer regarding the only word that can be spelt with the letters "USMC". One would be misguidance ( MiSgUidanCe ) So what's the joke ?? Semper Fi

[Dolt]

Yeah, your right, it was a bit spiteful also. Sorry about that brother. LOL Waiting on the answer regarding the only word that can be spelt with the letters "USMC". One would be misguidance ( MiSgUidanCe ) So what's the joke ?? Semper Fi

SCUM !!

[2111]

SCUM !!

Ouch. You sure you didn't go through Boot Camp at Bainbridge (not sure of spelling) or Great Lakes ??

[Garden Valley]

Wikipedia states:
" It gradually replaced the M1 Garand in US Army service by 1961 and in US Marine Corps service by 1965."

A friend of mine turned in his M1 Garand and was issued a M14 at MCAS Beaufort in Jan. 1962.
I would like to know if anyone knows of a date in 1961 or before that the M14 may have been issued to the Marine Corps ?? Seems to me that the infantry units would have received the M14 before the Air Wing.
I did read on another forum that someone has a photograph of the Commandant of the Marine Corps receiving an M14 sometime in 1960.

I believe this is the photo you are referring to.

However, I don't believe Marines began to receive M14 rifles until early 1962. 2nd MarDiv units deployed to Gitmo in November 1962 were equipped with M14 rifles and M60 machine guns. Many Marine Reserve units were still equipped with the M1 up through the mid-1960's

[2111]

I believe this is the photo you are referring to.

However, I don't believe Marines began to receive M14 rifles until early 1962. 2nd MarDiv units deployed to Gitmo in November 1962 were equipped with M14 rifles and M60 machine guns. Many Marine Reserve units were still equipped with the M1 up through the mid-1960's

Thanks, that is the picture I was referring to. My friend has pretty good records regarding rifles he had. He tells me that upon his return from Japan in Feb. 1961, he was issued an M1 Garand (2113737), which he turned in for an M14 in late Jan. 1962. He says that the M14's were in cardboard boxes with wrappings around them. They got the bayonet and pistol belt, along with (4) single pouches that were for the (4) mag's that they were issued. He also says at that time he was with VMF-333, stationed at MCAS Beaufort S.C.. In Mar. of 1962 he went to P.I. for familiarization with the M14. In May of 1962 he returned to P.I. to qualify. This took about a week or week and a half. The serial # of the M14 was 367574.
He also had the ser. # of the M1 (2488400) he got at MCRD San Diego on 2 Feb. 1959. Also the Ser. # (894648) of the M1 he was issued at MCAS El Toro prior to going to Japan. He turned that M1 in during Feb. 1961 at MCAS Futema, just prior to returning stateside.
I couldn't believe he had all this info. I can only remember the serial # of the M1 (4380578) I was issued in boot camp (PISC), and only because the D.I.s drummed it into my head.
Anyway, I haven't heard from any former Marine that recalls receiving the M14 prior to Jan. 1962. Guess an email to Leatherneck is in order.
Thanks again for the picture.