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Posted: 11/18/2002 8:54:45 PM EDT
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Sorry to bore you guys with yet another newbie post, I just had a couple of questions regarding the M1A: 1. I have seen several sites that mention how it is dangerous to use .308 in the 7.62 receiver of an M1A. How true is this? 2. What exactly is a Springfield "Loaded" M1A and is it worth the extra money? 3. How much of a difference is there between a Standard model and a NM, and is it worth the extra money? Thanks |
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The basic difference between the Standard and the Loaded model is the trigger, barrel, and rear sight. The standard has a GI chrome lined barrel and the Loaded has a National Match barrel. The Standard has a GI trigger and the Loaded has a National Match trigger group. The rear sight on the Standard is 1 moa for elevation and windage and the Loaded is 1 moa for elevation and 1/2 moa for windage. Springfields website says that the Loaded has a National Match front sight and the Standard does not. However the Standard now also has the National Match .062 front sight because Springfield no longer has the wider GI front sights. I also think that the website says that the Loaded has a National Match flash hider and the Standard does not but I think that some of the Standards may come with the National Match flash hider as well. The National Match has more National Match parts like the gas system, recoil spring guide, and the rear sight is adjustable for 1/2 moa for elevation and windage and is hooded. The stock is also glass bedded. Is ths National Match worth the extra money? I think that It really depends on what you want the rifle for. If you want it to shoot in High Power matches then the National Match is probably a better choice. If you want the rifle for a serious battlerifle or just for plinking the Standard model is a better choide. The accuracy of the Loaded will probably be slightly better than the Standard. The National Match will be better than both the Standard and the Loaded. I got the Standard model because I wanted a straight forward battlerifle that I would mostly be shooting GI ball type ammo out of. Mine had some problems but I sent it back to Springfield and they fixed it and now it seems to be running great. The problem that can occur with commercial .308 is a slam fire, where the bolt goes forward and causes the cartridge to fire without the trigger being pulled. This can happen because of sensitive primers. The GI ball ammo has a harder primer than commercial ammo. I have shot .308 out of mine with no problem. How big of a concern that is I am not really sure. |
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Wow, thanks for all that info. That really helps. I think I will just go with the standard then because like you said, I'm mainly looking for a nice battle rifle, however, I am a little picky about accuracy. I'd like to be able to stay around 1MOA. Is the Standard good enough or should I spring the extra cash and go for the loaded upgrades? Again, thanks for the info and the quick response! |
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Originally the M14 was designed to shoot at 4 moa. The GI manual says to zero at 100 meters and all shots should be within a 6" circle. Having said that I have read that some people get around 1.5 moa with their Standard models with match ammo. With GI ball ammo the groups are usually larger. The Loaded model is supposed to be more accurate than the Standard. Howver I was told by Springfield that depending on the rifle sometimes the Standards are just as accurate. Are you planning on scoping the rifle or just using the sights? What kind of ammo will you be mostly using? If you plan to put a scope on the rifle and shoot match ammo the extra accuracy of the Loaded might be good. If you plan on shooting with sights and GI type ball ammo I think the Standard would be just as good as the Loaded, unless you are a really great shot, you probably won't notice the difference. The barrel on the Standard should last longer than the Loaded. But unless you shoot thousands of rounds a year that may not be that big of a concern. If you do get a Standard or Loaded M1A you will get the "Loaded" coupon. One thing I would suggest is getting the GI barrel so you will have an extra. I decided on the Standard for most of the reasons above. Plus with the money I saved by getting the Standard I was able to get around 5 GI 20rd mags. For more info you might want to check out battlerifes.com and maybe do a search of the site. |
| Well, the two biggest reasons I have for considering the M1A in the first place is I want a tough, reliable battle rifle that has more power then the .223, and second, although not a very practical reason, I just love the look of the M1A. Like I wrote before, I would like to stay around 1-1.5 MOA, and though I have no intention of putting a scope on it, I know myself and in a few months I will probably let curiousity get the best of me as usual and mount one anyway. I have a Springfield 6-20x56 that would do the job nicely, but I know that the mounting process will be somewhat of a pricey task. I'm not looking for a sub-MOA precision setup but for the money I'm just trying to satisfy as many area's as possible. I have about 2k to spend, and at first I was looking at the NM and Super, but honestly I can't imagine ever dragging either of those through the dirt. I'm mainly trying to decide if the "Loaded" upgrades by giving me that little bit of extra accuracy are worth the extra money. BTW, thanks for suggesting battlerifles.com. Great site, didn't even know it existed. |
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You certainly won't regret a good M1A...if you can take someone with you who knows the rifles WELL or learn as much as you can here or on battlerifles.com before you buy. I am very sorry to say Springfield is really turning out a lot of crap right now so you must be careful. I have bought one of their 1911's recently and one of their new Garands and BOTH are GARBAGE....I am so embaressed to own either one of them. Yet the two M1A rifles I bought a few years ago are GREAT. It seems they have been turning out nothing but crap lately for I have been seeing a lot of complaints on a lot of the boards. If you can find a used older M1A in sweet shape and from a reputable seller try that route. Don't be a sucker like me with 2000 dollars in crap. Good Luck!!!! |
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