Band Of Brilliance

The M14 EBR is seen used at many points through the campaign, including Wolverines! and The Gulag. The version used is the Mod 1 version, which differs from the Mod 0 version. Some of the differences include a different stock (Magpul MOE stock versus the Sage EBR stock on the Mod 0) and Magpul XT rail covers on the rail interface. The scope, grip, stock, rail covers, and occasionally magazine are all in FDE (Flat Dark Earth). In Campaign it is correctly referred to as the M14 EBR, but in multiplayer it is erroneously referred to as the M21 EBR (probably to avoid confusion) and is purely a sniper rifle.

Because of the need to fire two shots for many kills, most players will instinctively fire two quick shots even if one will do. This causes M14 users to burn through ammo faster than with other sniper rifles. This is the stealth rifle of choice online, as it takes two shots anywhere on the body with a Silencer and without Stopping Power to kill with any sniper rifle. Also you can kill an enemy by one shot with Stopping Power perk by shooting upper chest. The weapon's low recoil and large magazine make it easy to follow up with another quick shot. It also can be used like an assault rifle, if equipped with an ACOG scope, which effectively makes it similar to the FAL (at the expense of a smaller ammo capacity).

The M21 EBR, or M14 EBR to those who would correct Infinity Ward, is a perfect designated marksman rifle, it is less useful as a sniper rifle because its inability to one shot kill without a silencer or a upper torso shot, though, both can be accomplished. The M21 EBR has a good accuracy and stopping power helps it greatly. Attaching a silencer will bring most shots to zero recoil. The M21 EBR can also carry out CQB battles because the user can either quickscope or have a 3 shot burst to avoid being called a trigger spammer. The M21 EBR can be helped greatly from steady aim due to its ability to hold down breath, and have a better CQB ability. The weapon's crosshairs are exceptionally smaller than the other sniper rifles.

The M21 or M14 EBR is the most damage outputting sniper rifle due to its minimal recoil. However, due to it's smaller multipliers 2 shots are often needed. However, its low recoil allow the two shots to be fired quickly without any problem. The M21 EBR trades the power of the Intervention for a larger magazine, lower recoil, semiautomatic nature and less sway.

It is unlocked at level 56 in multiplayer.

Trivia

• Although it is a sniper rifle, the M14 EBR is about 5 inches shorter than the actual M14 rifle.
• Although in most missions the M14 EBR has a scope on it, in the Special Ops mission, "Breach and Clear", there is an M14 EBR without a scope. This is the only time it is referred to as the M14 EBR, as opposed to the M14 EBR w/ Scope. This is also the first sniper rifle in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 that does not appear with a scope normally.
• On the left side of the gun, there is yellow lettering which reads "SD-619," referring to the abbreviation and area code of the city of San Diego, California.
• On Infinity Ward's website the M14 EBR was voted as the favorite sniper rifle in Modern Warfare 2.
• In Third Person multiplayer, the lens cap on the scope appears to be closed.
• The weapon is actually the M14 EBR in multiplayer. A factory purpose built accurized M14 (a.k.a. M21) with a Sage EBR aftermarket stock.
• The gun's stats say that it is less accurate than the Barrett .50 Cal, whereas it is clearly much more accurate, with about one tenth of the recoil.
• The M14 EBR makes the same third-person noise as the M14 and the M21 from Call of Duty 4, while it makes a different first person sound.
• Due to the reduced accuracy, headshots are easily gained by shooting at the upper chest and neck area.
• It seems to be a replacement for the M21 used in Call of Duty 4.
• The magazine shown in multiplayer would actually hold 20 rounds in real life, not 10. In Call of Duty 4, the M21 was used with a 10 round magazine, which was its actual capacity in the game. The reduction was probably done for balance purposes, as a 20-round semi-automatic sniper would often be labeled "overpowered."
• In reality there is no such thing as an M21 EBR, IW took the M14 EBR and gave it a different name in multiplayer.