I have what I think is the perfect M1A; a Scout Squad.
I carried an M14 in Nam (yeh, I was one of the lucky ones
that could actually count on his rifle to perform) and I know
what the 7.62X51 will do in combat. If I had to go to war
today, this is the gun I would want to carry. Yeh, it's
heavier than the M4 and blah blah blah. Well, you can
easily guess how I feel about the M16. I know all the
arguments and they don't mean squat as far as I'm
concerned.
The 18" Squad Scout is the best blend of the 16" SOCOM
and the Standard M1A with the longer barrels IMO. I have
at least 1500 rounds thru mine, probably more, and it's
never hiccuped just like my M14 in Nam.
You know the old saying, "you dance with the one that
brung you"? Well, when and if I ever have to dance again,
it'll be with my M1A. I even have it stipulated in my will
that it's never to be leave the family.
Dano