Thinking of Purchasing an M1A

Yes. Get two.

Seriously though, they are great rifles. If you are into MBRs you have to have one. LRBs are the closest to real M14s, but SAs are generally nice, and so are Fulton Armory's versions.

i second that motion, mine is the gun i shoot best with and have not had to adjust the sights at all after removing the gun from the box, she is a beautiful sturdy rifle that will not let you down, beware the addiction though.......

Any insight on model? Loaded, Standard, National Match, Scout?

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I've been looking into getting one myself eventually. The answer to your question depends, of course, on your motives.

I think for the average person the Loaded is the best one for the money. It's not much more money than the Standard, but gives you some upgrades. The Scout is good if you want CQB, but IMO is not a good rifle for anything else. The National is good if you want to do serious competition, or want bragging rights.

If accuracy counts (1.5MoA or better), then get the National match.

beware of the rule of 2

Pick up a few before you buy. Some like the shorter SOCOM type and some like the USGI. I have a loaded and it will shoot the 1.5" group but only with the best ammo. MILSURP is a 2.5" deal, still good but not a MOA gun in it's current form.

Other than that I say you will be very happy with your purchase. I would not part with mine. Bill

Pick up a few before you buy. Some like the shorter SOCOM type and some like the USGI.

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Yep. Some folks like the shorter versions, but to me the Standard and Loaded models handle better and shoulder faster. It probably has a lot to do with the individual and what you're used to and what your preferences are.

My impressions from my recent M1A shopping:

To me the Standard was balanced perfectly, and when I shouldered it the sights were "right there". Very natural pointing rifle. The Loaded was the next best for me, being just slightly front-heavy. Still very pointable. The Scout and SOCOM 16 seemed butt-heavy to me, and I honestly couldn't tell a whole lot of difference in weight between them and the Standard. They probably were a little lighter, but I just couldn't pick up on the difference. I didn't get a chance to handle a SOCOM II or a NM, and I had no business even looking in the general direction of a Supermatch, M21, or M25

I ended up with a Loaded, as I thought that would be the best compromise between weight, balance, and accuracy (not to mention $$$).

Jason

* Pic Heavy *

Thoughts on an M1A. Well, if you want accuracy, a Bolt Action PSS comes to mind as a better choice...but in the end it's your money and your choice. The M1A is very good choice if you should go that route.
But enough talk, and now, the gratuitous pictures

My preference is the Standard, synthetic stock.

The Loaded vs. Standard, you get the following 'up grades'.

NM barrel. You won't notice any accuracy difference and the NM barrel/chamber may cause some feeding issues with surplus ammo, if you are planning on using that.

NM trigger. Nice, but the Standard is nice as well. The money saved between the two, you can pick up a USGI trigger group (@$125), and they are as nice as the Springfield NM trigger group.

NM rear sights. The new Springfields all come with NM front sights, and the NM rear sights only give you 1/2 moa windage adjustment vs. the 1 moa windage for the Standard. Elevation adjustment are the same, 1 moa. So you really are not gaining anything.

The money saved by getting the Standard vs. Loaded is better spent on more ammo and mags (I recommend 44mag.com for mags).

Enjoy

The trigger is the only really important part...and one can have a trigger job done for a reasonably small fee.

I am happy with my Loaded, stainless/synthetic:

drooling...

I love the M1A. I would buy one just for the look, but its got so much more.

I just gotta dig up $600 to finish my AR build, then buy a few more things while I save another $1500 for an M1A...I need a better paying job.

funfaler mentioned possible feeding issues with surplus if you have a NM barrel, but I've never heard of any issues.

Anyone here have problems feeding surplus ammo to their M1A?

Best M1A - Tough Question!!

I have a M1A Loaded and a Scout version. Both shoot very well, but I actually prefer the scout version. Not as loud as the SOCOM and shoots a LOT BETTER. I consistantly shoot 1.5 - 2.0 MOA with the scout using factory ammo. The scout is a great platform for SHTF scenarios and just general enjoyment. I love both rifles, but if I could only keep one it would be the scout!!

The M1A (M14) was the rifle of choice for National Match service rifle competitions until they figured out how to accurize the M16 class of rifles.

Cumbersome to mount optics on the M1A than some guns.
MUCH more cumbersome to conveniently remove the mounting apparatus once a mount is installed. As with most military-origin configurations, the M1A offers questionable cheek-weld issues with any magnified optic, due to high sight line.

Iron sights on the M1A are very good if you are shooting at targets that give adequate contrast for obtaining a quality sight-picture.

M1A has a better trigger than many .308 semi-auto guns out-of-the box.
M1A trigger has limits on how much the trigger can be improved without taking serious chances with reliability/longevity.

Love the "classic" look of the M1A in conventional walnut-stock configuration with leather sling.

I just have a standard in Walnut...I love the way this rifle looks ...for lack of a better word I think it is just a COOL looking rifle.

I just had the SA 3rd gen scope mount put on mine but have not shot it yet so I don't know how solid it is and how accurate it will be.

Does anybody have any experience with the SA mount and how well it works?
Sorry for the slight Hijack.

Thanks,
Shane

I've not owned one, but I've seen enough problems with them that I'd skip straight to one of the high-end mounts like the Sadlak.

I have witnessed issues with a Loaded (NM barrel) and a NM rifle both having issues with surplus, South African, 1970's Indian, Late '70s Port. (failure to eject/stuck in chamber)

Now I have heard others say no problem with theirs.

I guess, for the $$, if one is going to run surplus, why put the $$ into a NM barrel? The accuracy difference will not be noticed or utilized by a surplus shooter. The $$ is better spent else where, like ammo, spare parts, mags, etc. IMHO.

Great Choice. The M1A will be a rifle I have for life. I have a 2 year old Loaded model. IMHO the best value for what you get. It is Carbon with the composite stock. Light and disapates heat better than the Stainless IMHO. Topped off with a Bushnell 4200 6x24-40 scope and Harris Swivel bipod.

I intend on adding a Scout rifle as they are a better choice IMHO than the AR style weapons with a heftier round. I like my AR's but when it counts the M1A will be my go to rifle.

You can get good deals at www.budsgunshop.com apply for the GR Money Sport credit card and pay it off over 6 months interest free. Can't beat that deal. M1A loaded should cost between $1300-$1600 NIB. I also love the lifetime waranty that Springfield offers. Great Customer service and a 4 day turnaround for a hairline crack in stock undre filled "fun switch", and factory installation of the QD stud for the bipod. If it ever cracks...back it goes for FREE repair ore replacement.

Good Luck. Please let us know what model you decided on.

As for ammo...I use the Winchester 147 grain NATO stamped ammo and get .5"-1.5" groups at 100 yards. The only other ammo I've shot through it is Privi and Federal. No foreign surpluss for me.

natescout,

Nice Pair.

The accuracy difference will not be noticed or utilized by a surplus shooter.

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That's true, but it's nice to be able to use the same gun for plinking and serious accuracy.

MIAs are fine, but I prefer M-14/S






Chinese forged receivers are closer to USGI spec than others and are and excellent host for building your dream rifles.

I have witnessed issues with a Loaded (NM barrel) and a NM rifle both having issues with surplus, South African, 1970's Indian, Late '70s Port. (failure to eject/stuck in chamber)

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that sounds more like an extractor issue, not a NM chamber issue -- unless the chamber is defective.