The Crazy Horse rifle or M14SE is a
semi-automatic designated marksman rifle based on the
M14 rifle. It is chambered for the
7.62×51mm NATO
The 7.62×51mm NATO (official NATO nomenclature 7.62 NATO) is a rimless, bottlenecked rifle cartridge. It is a standard for small arms among NATO countries.
First developed in the 1950s, the cartridge had first been introduced in U.S. service fo ...
cartridge and is built by
Smith Enterprise Inc.
Overview
The goal of the Crazy Horse rifle project was to offer current military units a reliable and cost-effective modernization program for Squad Designated Marksmen (SDM) using existing M14 rifles in inventory. The Crazy Horse rifle was designed in conjunction with the
Picatinny Arsenal and the
Army Infantry School
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
.
[ Although the rifle has many "precision" features built in to make it accurate, it is not a ]sniper rifle
A sniper rifle is a high-precision, long-range rifle. Requirements include accuracy, reliability, mobility, concealment and optics for anti-personnel, anti-materiel and surveillance uses of the military sniper. The modern sniper rifle is a por ...
and was designed as a battle rifle
A battle rifle is a service rifle chambered to fire a fully powered cartridge.
The term "battle rifle" is a retronym created largely out of a need to better differentiate the intermediate cartridge, intermediate-powered assault rifles (e.g. the S ...
to fit the needs of the Army's SDM program.[
The Crazy Horse rifle is built by Smith Enterprise Inc. and is used by various units within the US Military as the M21A5 and the M14SE. The Crazy Horse's metal components are cryogenically treated prior to assembly, which eliminates the need for bedding the stock with fiberglass and steel inserts. Additional upgrades include a completely adjustable trigger system (from 2.5 to 5 lbs) and an extended bolt handle for use in extreme cold environments.][
The scope is mounted to the rifle using a SEI ]scope mount
Scope mounts are used to attach telescopic sights or other types of sights to firearms. The scope sight itself is usually made for only one of two main types of mounts, which can be classified as ''scopes for ring mounts'' (for example a 30 ...
and ring package made via electrical discharge machining (EDM). The scope
mount is attached to the rifle's stock and not welded to the receiver.
Technical specifications
* Action: A M14NM (National Match) action.
* Barrel: A medium heavy barrel, 22” or an optional 18” length, of chrome moly 4140 steel
* Rifling: A right-hand rate of twist of 1 in 10" with 4 lands and grooves.
* Stock: A USGI synthetic stock modified by Smith Enterprise with an attachable SEI cheekpiece.
* Optics: Leupold Mk4 Tactical × scopes.
* Muzzle device: A SEI Direct Connect Vortex Sound Suppressor-capable Flash Suppressor
* Sound Suppressor: Wind Talker sound suppressor
* Bipod: A Smith Enterprise bipod is often attached for stability during prone firing.
* Sling: M1907 sniper/target sling in either leather or synthetic material.
* Finish: Black phosphate.
* Trigger: Adjustable trigger from 2.5 to 5 lbs.
* Sight: SEI Gas Lock Front Sight (hooded)
Users
The Crazy Horse rifle is currently in service with the 2nd Infantry Division of the US Army and the 101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) ("Screaming Eagles") is a light infantry division of the United States Army that specializes in air assault operations. It can plan, coordinate, and execute multiple battalion-size air assault operati ...
as the M21A5.[
]
See also
* U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle
References
External links
Smith Enterprise M14 SE "Crazy Horse"
* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20130910065251/http://gunsmagazine.com/smith-enterprises-m-14sa/ Guns Magazine article about the Smith Enterprise’s M-14SE Crazy Horse{{ModernUSInfWeaponsNav
7.62×51mm NATO semi-automatic rifles
Sniper rifles of the United States
Designated marksman rifles