M14 vs BM-59 | What The M14 Should Have Been?!

James River Armory and postwar evolution from M1 Garand

The discussion opens with a comparison between the M14 and the BM59, framed as what the M14 could have been. Mark from James River Armory explains that his company began as a hobby business restoring Civil War muskets, then expanded into M1 Garands, 1903 rifles, and other historic military arms. About 15 years ago they moved into manufacturing, producing new M14 and BM59 pattern rifles using original parts on new receivers. He outlines how, after World War II, one of the main complaints about the M1 Garand was its eight-round clip, which limited ammunition capacity. Early postwar development focused on moving to a detachable box magazine and, as NATO standardized on 7.62x51 (.308), this development path led toward what would become the BM59 in the early 1950s.

Design changes from M1 Garand to BM59

Mark describes how John Garand was initially involved in postwar development but was pulled off the project, while Beretta picked up much of the research. The BM59 retained conceptual similarities and some parts commonality with the M14 and Garand but used a shorter receiver and a revised operating system. Many BM59s began life as World War II M1 Garand receivers that were machined out on the bottom to accept a detachable magazine. Beretta reverted to an inline operating rod rather than the bent design forced on the M1 Garand by the need to mount the 1903 bayonet. The BM59’s operating rod and gas system are shorter and described as very reliable. Mark emphasizes the BM59’s muzzle brake, with the barrel extending almost halfway into the device, which protects the barrel from bending and significantly reduces felt recoil compared to the M14’s setup.

BM59 reliability, NATO adoption, and select-fire role

The BM59’s gas system uses a direct piston arrangement that Mark characterizes as softer shooting than the M14’s somewhat harsher piston impulse. He states that reliability is essentially the same as the M14, using a similar rotating bolt system. He notes that Mikhail Kalashnikov acknowledged borrowing features from the M1 Garand when designing the AK-47, particularly in the locking lugs and general layout, which speaks to the robustness of the Garand-derived action. Postwar Italy, with many areas devastated and limited resources, had roughly half a million U.S.-supplied M1 Garands. To join NATO, Italy needed a modern 7.62x51 NATO rifle, so Beretta converted these rifles into BM59s. The BM59 was originally select-fire and was sold through foreign military sales and to countries wanting to modernize existing Garands, competing with rifles like the M14, G3, and FAL. Mark recalls test-firing a full-auto BM59 and finding it surprisingly controllable, similar to a Browning Automatic Rifle, largely due to the gas system and muzzle brake.

M14 E2 features and paratrooper side-folder

The conversation shifts to how U.S. experience in Vietnam influenced M14 development. As the military transitioned toward the M16, there was still a need for a squad automatic weapon. The M14E2 configuration incorporated features clearly inspired by the BM59, such as a bipod and changes aimed at better recoil control in automatic fire. The example on the table is a semi-auto rifle with a dummy selector to simulate the original full-auto control. Mark then introduces a paratrooper-style M14 variant intended for special troops like Alpine ski units and paratroopers who needed a more compact rifle. This version uses a side-folding stock that can be strapped to the leg or carried more easily in confined conditions. Despite the narrow buttplate, Mark notes that it is more comfortable to shoot than it appears once the stock is extended and locked into place.

BM62 carbine concept and handling

Mark presents the BM62, describing it as essentially a .308, magazine-fed “tanker” Garand derivative. Developed in 1962, the BM62 was aimed at law enforcement and foreign military sales, stripping off some of the BM59’s military features. It uses a 17-inch barrel and is noted as being surprisingly accurate for its compact size. Unlike the BM59, the BM62 lacks a muzzle brake, which changes the recoil characteristics. The hosts suggest it would make a practical truck gun or a rifle for hog hunting, with the caveat that recoil will be more noticeable without the BM59-style muzzle device. The segment sets up a later comparison on the range, where the BM62’s handling and recoil will be evaluated alongside the M1 Garand, M14, and BM59 platforms.

Baseline M1 Garand shooting and clip vs magazine

Before comparing the M14 and BM59, the hosts establish a baseline with the M1 Garand, described as the “granddaddy” of both later rifles. They demonstrate loading the eight-round en bloc clip and discuss avoiding the well-known “Garand thumb” by keeping the hand behind the operating rod until the bolt is released. On the range at 100 yards, the distinctive ping of the empty clip is heard as the rifle ejects it. The conversation clarifies terminology: the Garand uses a clip, not a detachable magazine, while later rifles like the M14 and BM59 are magazine-fed. They note that original clips are reusable and should not be discarded. The M1 Garand’s eight rounds of .30-06 are contrasted with the five-round, bolt-action systems used by German and Japanese forces in World War II, highlighting the Garand’s higher capacity and faster reloads.

Transition to the M14 and magazine-fed 7.62 NATO

After shooting the M1 Garand, the hosts move to the M14, adopted in 1957 with production starting around 1960. Mark briefly revisits earlier design differences from the Garand, then focuses on the practical aspects of the 7.62 NATO, magazine-fed system. The rifle shown uses a 20-round magazine, though Mark notes that loading about 18 rounds is often recommended to avoid feeding issues. The M14 on the line is built on a James River Armory receiver, reflecting the company’s current production of semi-auto M14 pattern rifles in original-style military configuration. This segment sets up the direct shooting comparison between the M14 and the BM59, allowing observation of recoil, muzzle behavior, and overall shooting experience between the two 7.62x51 NATO platforms derived from the original M1 Garand design.