Figure 2-21.--Loading the magazine with a loading tool.
The safest way to reload a magazine is shown in
figure 2-21. Each bandolier containing the 5-round clips
Figure 2-22.--Gas spindle valve in the ON and OFF positions.
also contains a magazine loading tool. Insert the tool
over the top rear of the magazine as shown in figure
2-21, insert a 5-round clip into the loading tool, and
shaft lock (See figure 2-15.) so that only semiautomatic
press the cartridges into the magazine.
fire is available.
To load a full magazine into a rifle, insert the front
To fire a rifle equipped with a selector shaft lock,
end of the loaded magazine well into the front catch
simply push the safety forward and then fire a round
until the front catch snaps into engagement, then pull
with each squeeze of the trigger.
the magazine rearward and upward until the magazine
latch locks it into position (fig. 2-19).
To fire semiautomatic fire on a rifle equipped with a
selector, position the selector for semiautomatic fire and
The gas spindle valve (fig. 2-22) controls the gases
used in firing the rifle. When the slot of the spindle
then fire a round with each squeeze of the trigger.
valve is in the vertical or ON position (upper view), the
To fire automatic fire with a selector (rifle cocked),
valve is open and directs gases to the operating piston
proceed as follows:
for ordinary functioning of the rifle. When the slot is in
the horizontal or OFF position (lower view), the spindle
1. Position the selector for automatic fire.
valve is closed. This permits the full pressure of the gas
2. Push the safety forward.
to be used in propelling a rifle grenade or line-throwing
3. Squeeze the trigger. The rifle will fire
projectile.
automatically as long as the trigger is squeezed and
The rear sight controls consist of a windage knob
there is ammunition in the magazine. Release the
and a pinion assembly. (See figure 2-15.). The windage
trigger to cease firing.
knob is used to adjust the sight laterally. Turn the knob
4. After the last round is fired, the magazine
clockwise to move the sight to the right and
follower (a spring-driven plate in the magazine that
counterclockwise to move the sight to the left. The
forces cartridges upward as rounds are expended and
pinion assembly adjusts the sight aperture vertically.
cases ejected) actuates the bolt lock, locking the bolt in
Turn the pinion clockwise to raise the sight and
the rearward position. When you have removed the
counterclockwise to lower the sight.
empty magazine inserted a loaded one, release the bolt
lock by retracting the operating rod, thereby drawing
Firing the M14 Rifle
the bolt rearward; then close the bolt. As the bolt
assembly is closed, the top cartridge in the magazine is
If your command does not want the rifle to fire on
pushed forward into the chamber.
automatic, the selector will be replaced by a selector
2-12
