I guess it depends on what you want to do.
In my opinion only, which is worth exactly what you paid for it, the accurized national match and hathcock models are too pricey and cranky unless you actually intend to compete. The way I set my preferences, I'll sacrifice the super-duper accuracy which I'd never really need in favor of not having to worry about the consequences of accidentally whanging it a few times. I take good care of my guns, I just don't want to HAVE to baby them.
If you like the original format, the "loaded" standard seems to be the sweet spot in terms of features/performance/price. Most the folks I talk to, incidentally, agree that the fiberglass stock is the way to go: a bit slimmer, a bit lighter, and doesn't affect accuracy with changes in humidity.
If you're open to neuvo M1A formats, you've got he scout squad and the SOCOM models, which shorten up the barrel and swap out the flash hider for compensators. IMO, the SOCOM's 16 inch barrel sacrifices too much muzzle V, and consider the scout squad's 18 incher a better compromise. My only complaint (besides the crinkle paint) is that I wish they'd produce the barrels and chambers for these with chrome lining, and although the sights are among the best ever put on a full house battle rifle, they aren't all that great for fast acquisition. The SOCOM addresses this with a combination ghost ring/tritium stripe sights, which can be bought on the aftermarket if you want them from AO Express.
Now, as for financing, I remind folks that plastic is a financial instrument. Figure out what you can lay aside per month for your new rifle, do the math, and see how long you'd have to wait. If that waiting period is too long, add in the finance charges, and ask yourself if A) the finance charges are worth it, in your opinion, and B) if you've honestly got the financial discipline to pay down the rifle as per the plan.
The big risk with credit cards is letting them pile up to the point where it'll take 20 years to pay off the debt given your monthly spare cash. Been there, done that, would still be there if it weren't for a lot of hard work that paid off in a windfall lump sum.
) and Springfield unable to make any of them work I decided maybe I should not own a Springfield made M-14 type rifle. I still like them, I even like shooting the Springfield made ones when they work.
