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There were special "sniper" variants of the M14, designated as the XM21, during the Vietnam era, usually fitted with a ART scope. During the U.S. involvement in the Middle East, M14s were pulled from storage, because of their longer range over the M16/M4, and fitted with modern optics. The ones I have photographed had the "M14" ground off and remarked XM21, all had selector locks. BTW the M14 in your picture has a selector lock on it, limiting its function to semi-auto. The images of the XM21 rifles have locks on them, the Winchester M14 has a selector lever on it. Most M14s were issued with selector locks on them due in part to their difficulty to control in the full-auto mode.

The tube ID is also smaller so a standard K bolt won’t fit inside either. The semi auto bolt body is roughly .100 smaller than the standard K bolt. Thats the major denial block. The angle is somewhat of a “wtf” moment when you can’t get a tune from them and using specs you dug up from different sources. I’m working on a new set of prints for the semi tube and a new process sheet for order for the operations. I welded the gap instead of using a filler piece only because I wanted to play with my welder and test settings since I’m in my new shop. The amperage settings indeed are different now that I’m in town vs being in the country. I ground the weld seam to blend it in where the lower section meets the tube. I’m going to look at it again today to see if I like the results of that.

Funny you ask about this today….I have been tinkering with the K project this week off an on when I get overwhelmed finding homes for stuff…took it out and test fired it today-shot well but was having trigger reset issues…came back to the shop and found the disconnector notch was dragging on the sear when trying to reset. Took off .030ish the tip of the hook and made the hook deeper by said .030ish. I also reprofiled the side and radius of the disconnect hook as well. It works perfectly on the bench now so I’ll test fire it again in the morning. This process I discovered that the receiver drawings I have are for a Full Auto spec tube and I was making a semi auto tube (more on this later) and with this I discovered that the Indy Ord bolt handle is in a different location (rotation angle wise) from that of the original K handle. I had to machine a plug, press it into the bolt body, then machine an offset hole into the plug (and into the body) followed up by machining a custom bolt handle to put it all together with. Now as long as the test fire goes well tomorrow morning, I plan to come back, mask, blast and paint it “Swedish K Green” This build is NOT for the faint of heart of for those who are not mechanically skilled or understanding of gunsmithing. Not trying to sound superior or talk down to anyone, just giving fair warning. I can honestly say that at this point I have 35-40 hours in this gun over all and selling on the open market for $5,000-$6,000 is where they would be.

Chappy, It was a pleasure, and I am happy that the flyer arrived safely. What goes around comes around, as they say. Over the years there are many on MGB who have helped me out with my collection. Indeed following posting this topic, a few members of the board have reached out to assist. One member has donated an item which is very poignant, for my planned 'show and talk', during the summer. Tom Davis has also gone over and beyond by donating a copy of ’Great Britain- The Tommy Gun Story', for display at the event. At the conclusion of the event, the book will then be donated to the Blyth Battery Museum library. Thankyou Tom 🫡 We are all playing our parts, to keep the Thompson history alive.

Is that an Auto-Ordnance West Hurley or Kahr Arms C drum in that video? Why display this experimental Thompson with a modern-day C drum for something designed to be tested and possibly used during World War II with L drums or magazines. The Hill family All Thompson Show & Shoot in 2025 is the place to be if you want to see an aluminum Thompson submachine gun in-person. One of the very few aluminum survivors is part of the All American Thompson Collection. I bet Tracie would take it out from behind glass for a group show and tell session. You should have been there when he passed around NO 41. It was a fantastic show & tell session. Many of the Thompson guns you see pictured in The Thompson Encyclopedia series will be on display. I guarantee a great time!