M1A Standard vs M1A Loaded??

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skidooman603

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Been shopping for an M1A for my son for Christmas. Anyone know the difference between the M1A Standard and M1A Loaded from Springfield? What about Steel vs Carbon Barrels?
 
the loaded has a medium weight barrel vs the standard barrel, plus NM sights and a NM tuned trigger, thats all I think
 
the loaded has a medium weight barrel vs the standard barrel, plus NM sights and a NM tuned trigger, thats all I think
Click to expand...

That's it, except the sights are simply a NM aperture, not the complete funky NM rear sight assembly.

Both are good. BTW, $1500 for a standard and $1800 for a loaded are 100's overpriced. Watch Gunbroker for much better deals. I got a loaded, brand new, for $1400 a couple months ago.
 
What will the rifle be used for? If only occasional target shooting, plinking, etc. I'd opt for the standard model and use the rest of your $ for accessories and ammo you may want. But thats just my opinion, I got a standard model also because I was thinking sometime in the future I may want to add a new barrel or change stocks out etc. So I figured why pay for something extra when I might want to change it down the road.
 
I have the M1A loaded with the stainless barrel and synthetic stock. I like it. I'm not that much for open sights so I'm in the process of scoping mine. They are great rifles and they have allot of character.
 
Found the Walnut Loaded for $1600 Good Call
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Sounds good. I think the walnut stocks usually sell for more than the synthetic, which is what I got.

Another consideration: using a scope. The M1A is not well set up for using a scope, even though SA offers a scope mount. That mount interferes with top loading, chamber checks, etc. If I were going to use a scope I would either buy the 18" scout model that comes with a rail, OR better yet, I would get the standard model and mount an Ultimak rail that is like the Scout rail but even better. I note this because the Ultimak will only fit the standard barrel profile, not the loaded's somewhat heavier profile.

Personally I like the iron sights and am happy with the loaded.
 
The rifle will be used for NRA HighPower so no scopes. Love the National match Sight option though. I am a walnut stock guy so was willing to pay the extra couple bucks for that. Now off to the reloading bench to start the .308 reloading process. Any loading considerations as with the M1 Garand?
 
AFAIK the M1A is not as sensitive as the Garand to port pressure and you are unlikely to bend the operating rod with a load that's within SAAMI spec. I would not use some ultra-slow powder and tempt fate, but otherwise I think any good safe load should be fine. All the usual full-length resize considerations apply as for any other semiauto.
 
Yeah, the biggest difference is the barrel as far as I can tell. It has frustrated me because it is not USGI spec and incompatible with things like Fulton Armory's Super Scout hand guard. If you aren't scoping yours then that is a non issue. I am very happy with my Loaded Standard, barrel weight notwithstanding
 
Well the experts seem to vary on Varget for and M1A?? Any experience out there? Tryin to cut down on # of powders I have around and seem to use alot of Varget these days in other things (.223, Garand loads, ect)
 
+1 for IMR 4895. The loaded does NOT have a true NM rear sight, just the aperture. A usgi NM rear sight well run you $250-300 bucks, or you can do the SA ball and detent for about $50. For serious competition you well still need to do the reemed FS, match guide rod and spring, and tune the gas system, weld or screw and glue. Bedding???

I have two SA's, one with a medium weight NM barrel and one with an H&R usgi barrel, both shoot about the same, the NM has a slight advantage.
 
skidooman603 said:
Madcratebuilder..You kinda lost me on what will need to be done for serious competition?? Please expand on that Thanks
Click to expand...
OK
Reamed flash suppressor. You ream the flash suppressor for better clearance of the bullet leaving the barrel.
Tuned gas system= Unitized gas system, weld or screw and glue are two ways of doing this. Read this.
http://www.m14tfl.com/upload/showthread.php?t=67322&highlight=unitized
You can upgrade the recoil spring and the guide that the spring fits on.
Check out
http://www.sadlak.com/si_rifle_parts_main.html
Sadlak stuff is second to none. Nice folks too.

Buying a M1A is just the start, there are a lot of tweaks you can do to get these battle rifles to shoot moa.

m14fireingline is a good source of tweaking information.

Standard vs Loaded
the loaded well have a NM barrel, either stainless steel or carbon steel.
.062 front sight blade
regular 1/2 moa rear sight with a non-hooded .052 nm aperture.
normal two stage trigger at 4.5-5 lbs, standard is 5-6lbs
SA does good trigger work.
I prefer a wood stock loaded with steel barrel, add another 1k (depending on the glass) in tweaks and you have a tack driver that can reach out to 600yds and beyond. 300-400 if you keep the iron sights. I couldn't make up my mind so I did both ways.

This is a all TRW usgi parts with NM sights, painted gi fiberglass stock, unitzed GC and reamed FS.
crop4.jpg

This rifle started with SA parts and a medium NM barrel. I reamed the FS, unitized the GS, NM fr and rr sights all the Sadlak parts and a 4.5X14 scope.
crop7.jpg

Some day I would like to build one based on this stock.
sgjae100g2grittanthumbwvi8.jpg
 
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