Talk me into getting the Springfield M1A Standard or Loaded model

[OmOpLaTa]

I'm in the market for an M1A because I need a 308 in my collection and the gun will make me look really cool on the range. I'm only interested in the Standard Issue or Loaded model with the walnut stock. My local gun store sells the Loaded model for $1,999.99 and the Bass Pro near me sells the Standard Issue for $1,799.99.

I'm a little more drawn towards getting the Loaded model because it comes with the national match trigger and national match barrel, but I'm not sure if those upgrades are worth the extra money. I'll mainly be plinking with this rifle at 100 yards shooting FMJ 147 grain ammo.

This is a rifle I've been wanting for a long time. Mostly because of the aesthetic and history of the rifle, but also because I need a legit 308 battle rifle.

 

[Shellbackitup]

The M1A/M14 was my grail rifle, and I finally got mine this past year.

I didn't pay much more than what you are looking at for a mint vintage Supermatch (Stainless Barrel, wood furniture, just how I wanted it). I think it was $2400 or so on Gunbroker. It took me about 9 months to finally get one in CA legal config (I was starting to look at middleman services to take off the flash hider)

 

[RustVendor]

Let me introduce you to gun.deals. https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/706397019020

 

[RustVendor]

https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/ma9222ca

 

[Fulcrum]

I was just researching the different models over the past few days. One of the factors for me was weight and balance for shooting offhand. It’s a heavy rifle, and it’s long. I’ve never had a chance to hold these different models side by side to compare them myself, but according to what I read, this is how they compare.

the Loaded version is the heaviest and feels the most front heavy due to the thicker barrel and the way it distributes the weight forward.

The Standard Issue is lighter and more balanced than the Loaded.

The Scout Squad weighs the same as the Standard Issue, but it is more balanced. And if you remove the scout rail from the barrel and replace the scout handguard with the standard handguard, it is lighter still and even more balanced.

The wood stock is 11 oz heavier than the synthetic.

If you were going to use the rifle for matches out to something Ike 400 or 600 yards, the loaded might give you an advantage. Or if you are going to shoot from a bench or bipod or other support, and you aren’t concerned about weight or balance, then the Loaded if the extra cost doesn’t bother you.

If you are going to carry the rifle or shoot from positions where you support the weight yourself, the Standard might be better. And if you are shooting casually to 100 yards, not 600, then you can save some money by getting the Standard.

Personally, for my uses, I would probably go for the synthetic Scout Squad, remove the scout rail, and get a standard handguard. I think that would be the most useful to me for my style of shooting. But I think I’d also like a nice walnut stock I could put on when I want to dress it up. Swapping stocks on an M1A looks super easy.

 

[Gawernator]

No idea what the point of a repro of one of these is

 

[Brandon Breeze]

No one needs an M1A, but they sure are cooler than most other battle rifles out there (IMO).