['< sod > the m14 was developed to replace four different weapons systems — the [ [ m1 garand | m1 rifle ] ], the [ [ m1 carbine ] ], the [ [ m3 submachine gun | m3 " grease gun " ] ] and the [ [ m1918 browning automatic rifle ] ] ( bar ). the intention was to simplify the logistical requirements of the troops by limiting the types of ammunition and parts needed to be supplied. however, it proved to be an impossible task to replace all four. the m14 was also deemed " completely inferior " to the world war ii m1 in a september 1962 report by the [ [ comptroller ] ] of the [ [ united states department of defense | u. s. department of defense ] ]. < ref name = " dtic. mil " > [ http : / / www. dtic. mil / cgi - bin / gettrdoc? ad = ada044796 & location = u2 & doc = gettrdoc. pdf an analysis of the infantry\'s need for an assault submachine gun ], p. 9 < / ref > the cartridge was too powerful for the [ [ submachine gun ] ] role and the weapon was simply too light to serve as a [ [ light machine gun ] ] replacement for the bar. < ref > { { cite book | author = gordon rottman | title = the m16 | year = 2011 | publisher = osprey publishing | isbn = 978 - 1 - 84908 - 690 - 5 | page = 6 } } < / ref > < eod > < sod > the m14 was developed to replace four different weapons systems — the [ [ m1 garand | m1 rifle ] ], the [ [ m1 carbine ] ], the [ [ m3 submachine gun | m3 " grease gun " ] ] and the [ [ m1918 browning automatic rifle ] ] ( bar ). the intention was to simplify the logistical requirements of the troops by significantly limiting the types of ammunition and parts needed to be supplied. however, it proved to be an impossible task to replace all four. the m14 was also deemed " completely inferior " to the world war ii m1 carbine in a september 1962 report by the [ [ comptroller ] ] of the [ [ united states department of defense | u. s. department of defense ] ]. < ref name = " dtic. mil " > [ http : / / www. dtic. mil / cgi - bin / gettrdoc? ad = ada044796 & location = u2 & doc = gettrdoc. pdf an analysis of the infantry\'s need for an assault submachine gun ], p. 9 < / ref > the cartridge was too powerful for the [ [ submachine gun ] ] role and the weapon was simply too light to serve as a [ [ light machine gun ] ] replacement for the bar. < ref > { { cite book | author = gordon rottman | title = the m16 | year = 2011 | publisher = osprey publishing | isbn = 978 - 1 - 84908 - 690 - 5 | page = 6 } } < / ref > < eod >']