The issue is how to finance the purchase and installation of conversion kits.
Several conversion kits for the pods had been secured, but not enough to go around.
To date, only one 9mm conversion kit for the M3A1 has been discovered.
"You can go on the Internet, get the conversion kit and start running grease this afternoon," he said.
The standard model can be converted with a special conversion kit into a competition target pistol.
The 7.62x39mm rifles and conversion kits began shipping in July 2008.
Manufacturers are also preparing conversion kits to sell to owners.
Some manufacturers of conversion kits have made a kit specific to the 914.
The service branch planned to buy 12,000 of these conversion kits in early 2011.
In late 2011 the Army bought 65,000 more conversion kits.