The Crazy Horse rifle or M14SE is a
semi-automatic designated marksman rifle
A designated marksman rifle (DMR) is a modern scoped high-precision rifle used by infantrymen in the designated marksman (DM) role. It generally fills the engagement range gap between a service rifle and a dedicated sniper rifle, at aroun ...
based on the
M14 rifle
The M14 rifle, officially the United States Rifle, Caliber 7.62 mm, M14, is an American selective fire battle rifle chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 in) cartridge. It became the standard-issue rifle for the U.S. military in 1959, r ...
. It is chambered for the
7.62×51mm NATO cartridge
Cartridge may refer to:
Objects
* Cartridge (firearms), a type of modern ammunition
* ROM cartridge, a removable component in an electronic device
* Cartridge (respirator), a type of filter used in respirators
Other uses
* Cartridge (surname), a ...
and is built by
Smith Enterprise Inc.
Smith Enterprise Inc. (SEI) is a firearm and accessory manufacturing facility based in Tempe, Arizona that is known for making flash suppressors, muzzle brakes, sound suppressors, M14 rifles and accessories for M14 rifles.
Smith Enterprise play ...
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
The Picatinny Arsenal ( or ) is an American military research and manufacturing facility located on of land in Jefferson and Rockaway Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, encompassing Picatinny Lake and Lake Denmark. The Ar ...
and the
Army Infantry School.
[ Although the rifle has many "precision" features built in to make it accurate, it is not a sniper rifle and was designed as a battle rifle 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.]Melonite
Melonite is a telluride of nickel; it is a metallic mineral. Its chemical formula is NiTe2. It is opaque and white to reddish-white in color, oxidizing in air to a brown tarnish.
It was first described from the Melones and Stanislaus mine in ...
. The gas piston is hard chromed to tolerances to ensure a precision fit within the hardened gas cylinder. Unlike traditional M14 rifles, the front sight is mounted on the gas lock as opposed to the muzzle to allow use of a direct-connect sound suppressor
A silencer, also known as a sound suppressor, suppressor, or sound moderator, is a muzzle device that reduces the acoustic intensity of the muzzle report (sound of a gunshot) and muzzle rise when a gun (firearm or air gun) is discharged, b ...
that mounts to the Vortex Flash Hider
The Vortex Flash Hider or Vortex Flash Eliminator is a flash suppressor made by Smith Enterprise, Inc. for a variety of different rifles, carbines, machine guns and handguns.
History
The Vortex Flash Hider was developed in 1984, and a patent was ...
.[
The scope is mounted to the rifle using a SEI scope mount and ring package made via ]electrical discharge machining
Electrical discharge machining (EDM), also known as spark machining, spark eroding, die sinking, wire burning or wire erosion, is a metal
fabrication process whereby a desired shape is obtained by using electrical discharges (sparks). Material i ...
(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 The Wind Talker sound suppressor is a direct-connect sound suppressor made by Smith Enterprise Inc. for use by the US military on M14 rifles and M4 carbines that utilize a Vortex Flash Hider. It is an improvement over the older M14 Direct Connect (M ...
* Bipod: A Smith Enterprise bipod
A bipod is a V-shaped portable attachment that helps support and steady a device, usually a weapon such as a long gun or a mortar. The term comes from the Latin prefix ''bi-'' and Greek root ''pod'', meaning "two" and "foot" respectively.
Bip ...
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 as the M21A5.[
]
See also
*U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle
The United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR, NSN 1005-01-458-6235; more formally the United States Rifle, Caliber 7.62 mm, M14, DMR) is a semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. I ...
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