The M-14 can be a carbine though I never carried one, I only carried a regular ol' M-14. The Marines and Navy both use this wonderful weapon especially in special groups such as sniper teams, special boats, special forces and also the Fleet still uses them for shipboard security. I used to love when some Grunt or Flat foot would look at my M-14 and say " What the heck?!?" Used to get some good looks also during the first war in Iraq, we were carrying 1911' s to their M2' s. Wasnt' a problem until we got delivered 9mm for our pistols []