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Posted: 5/25/2004 7:50:46 PM EDT
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Im looking to get a Springfield M1A. Trying to decide between a Scout Model, Standard, or Loaded model. I plan on getting it with the synthetic stock, but not sure which one I should get. Any opinions? Also, are having USGI parts in the rifle that big of a deal? |
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I just fired my first M1A today, (a Standard), and got to fondle, er, study a Loaded. Either one is worth the money. If you want just a fun and pretty accurate shooter, go for the standard. If you're looking for a bit more accuracy and a more durable barrel (according to the gentleman I was shooting with), get the loaded. It has target sights and a better trigger. As to the Scout, it also got rave reviews from the fellows in the know, but personally, if I were to have only one, I'd get a Standard or Loaded. That's why I have THREE on my wishlist! 
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IMHO,I think the barrel on the standard will last longer( if you have one with the usgi barrels not the new ones) because you have a chrome lined barrel and a slowertwist rate on the standard. |
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Yep! And where the hell were YOU, my friend? Snce when do court dates supercede shooting?  Admittedly though, I have been assimilated. I didn't bother to resist. I was sold as soon as I picked it up. When I pulled that trigger...... 
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Well, seeing as I will be most likely getting NEW ones, which do you think is the toughest barrel? I regret that despite being a gun owner of over 11 years, my knowledge of such things is lacking... |
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Free pie???? WHO THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN SHOOTING WITH AND WHY HAVEN'T YOU INVITED ME??? There was a question here? Oh yeah...they are all good. If i could have only one (which thank God I don't have to do), I'd take a standard with a USGI chrome lined barrel. USGI parts are fine, but so far the only failure I have witnessed on an M1A was an extractor breaking on a friends Scout. It was a TRW bolt, considered among many to be some of the best USGI parts. One warning, I have heard Springfield is/has run out of chromelined USGI barrels, so a newly made standard model may not have a chrome lined barrel. I've seen a bunch of non- USGI parts produced M1As run smoothly, so commercial parts can't be all bad. Get one! |
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My Bush rifle is all commercial other than the bolt and stock, both of which I retro fitted. Shoots great. My other rifle is all USGI other than the M1 receiver and shoots great as well. There are still new-in-box M1A rifles out there with chrome lined USGI barrels. Try to find one. If in doubt telephone Sprinfield with the serial number and they'll tell ya what barrel is on it. -- Chuck |
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Okay. I decided on the standard Springfield M1A. That was until I went to Fulton Armory's web site and looked at there standard M14. Springfield can be had at around 1300. Fulton Armory's is about 1799. Springfield has aftermarket parts, but a lifetime warranty. Fulton Armory has USGI parts, but no lifetime warranty. What do I do?? |
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I would go Springfield. Add another $100 to the Fulton Armory rifle if you want a new stock as comes on the Springfield, bringing the total for the Fulton to $1899. Not worth the difference IMO. Besides the Springfield has a lifetime warranty and can be had immediately, whereas Fulton buyers often have to wait months for their rifles. The only problems I have heard of with commercial parts is sometimes the extractor breaks, although I've never had any problems with any of mine. So buy a USGI for a spare for $14 if you want. As far as the chromelined barrel is concerned, most of us will probably never shoot out a non-chrome barrel anyway, unless you plan to run 10K rounds down the tube. A chromelined will probably last twice that long, but keep in mind that the chromelined barrels on the standard rifle are already "used" USGI barrels. Who knows how many rounds they have already had down them. |
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I would go Springfield as well. Their lifetime warranty is great...plus, they will be around for a long time. I stop in and say hi every year at Camp Perry and they know their craft. Oh, I also on a Springfield as well and it has been a 100% reliable awesome gun. Buy the Springfield and enjoy shooting it. Kevin |
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All of the "Standard" model Springfields that I've seen in the last 16 years of selling guns are using new USGI barrels. Open the action, look at the chamber....you'll be able to tell if it's a chrome lined barrel or not. Open the action, look between the stock and the top cover where the op rod usually sits, and you'll see some writing on the barrel. TRW, HR, Winchester, and Springfield (gov't) all made barrels. Don't freak if you don't see a national stocking # or anything, just ask to take the top cover off the rifle, my pre-ban Springfield had a Winchester barrel on it, but for some reason Winchester had their name on the top of the barrel, not down where it normally is. No biggie. About the only thing I'd recommend changing out on a out of the box Springfield is buy a USGI extractor and you'll be OK. |
I've got a SA from 1979 - all USGI parts, and it's new to boot. I'm frustrated that I have to sell it...  but someone will give it a good home, I'm sure.Bottom one (of course):  Here's the barrel markings he was referring to:  two more pics for fun (notice the cool 7.62mm markings)  
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