There's more to it than explained in this video. A standard will be equipped with a barrel of the same profile as a GI issue. The M1A rifle can be equipped with three different weights of barrel: standard (issue GI-read that light)/ medium (on the NM)/ and heavy (full NM) The loaded features a medium weight, air gauged match barrel and a trigger job that puts pull weight between 4.5 to 5 pounds. The action will not be bedded into the stock. Also NM sights at the rear features a hood that can be rotated that provides 1/2 min elevation corrections. The windage knob is set up for 1/2 min. changes also. They used to sell a model called the Ultra Match that included the bedding, match sights and the trigger job. Bedding adds about 15% tighter accuracy, and there are several optional stocks, some heavier than the walnut. I have shot the M1A since 1984, and mine carried me to my Distinguished Rifleman Badge in 1992
Appreciate the video, I received an M1A from a friend and wasn't sure if it was a Loaded or Standard model and to my surprise it is a Loaded! Thanks again for the info!
Great video!!! There are some grading differences as well from the "Standard"- "Loaded" -"NM" M1-A Rifles. The NM rifle has a nicer grade walnut stock, both in grain and finish. The NM is also glass bedded, which in my opinion makes a difference down range. Also, the NM has been to their gunsmiths for a onceover.. Other than that, the loaded is the best rifle for the coin if you want to play around a bit.. That is what makes SA M1-A's so great,, you can get the "Level" of rifle you can afford and build from there.. Not many "Companies" spend the time to give you this option... It's great to see so many people sharing knowledge and info. These days we need to help support the 2A community.. ~Best and shoot straight.
It seems the loaded is the right option for 99% of M1A buyers who just want an accurate rifle for general use. For the amount extra over the standard, it has some useful upgrades over the standard, where as when you go to the match you pay a lot more and unless you are set on purely target shooting they aren't improvements the average owner is going to benefit from.
You left out the king of the M1A1s, the Super Match, which has a barrel almost four pounds heavier. Using a bipod, the shoulder plate flipped up from the end of the stock, and a different grip, you can actually lay down suppressive fire. The weapon is a beast. Makes ARs look like toys.
There is a difference that no one usually brings up. The chamber size is about 1/1000 smaller on the loaded. Reloads resized with a normal die will stick in the chamber. Your reloads mut be resized with a Small Base die or you will be punching out your brass with a cleaning rod. Tighter chambers mean greater precision.
A standard SA M1A battle sighted for combat will work just fine. Cast alloy receiver works fine and won’t have any issues. If you want a NM model fine, it’s only money. It’s what you can afford. Many thousands of rounds through my friends M1A hasn’t seen any problems. Focus on spare parts, mags and plenty of ammo. Took me just over a year from a part time job and I was able to complete the “ Program “ . You do what you want, James River and Fulton Armory May give you a better MOA but mine easily hits Honda tire rims at 250 -300 yards open sights. Nuff said.
TOTALLY agree. When I purchased my ‘Standard’ M1A in ‘09..it was the only choice at the time. I have ZERO regrets, and even though I have no other to “compare to”, it’s done AND BEEN MORE of an accurate rifle than I expected. Literally ‘out of the box’ AFTER cleaning the factory residuals from it..the very 1st 3 rounds were touching, dead-bullseye @ 100 yds.. I was blown away. It’s continued to be a great hunting and target rifle. Again, ZERO regrets. Would I have pursued a “Match or Loaded” if they’d been available. Idk. I didn’t want a SS barrel, just one as close to USGI as I could get really. And I’ve since ‘retroed’ it to include a Sadlak “Airborne” Steel mount with an older Redfield 3 X 9 scope to hone in something close to a ‘Vietnam-era’-style clone. If I do MY part it’s a 1”- 1.5” moa rifle. I’m more than satisfied...
The Outpost Armory recently moved from the exit 89 on I 24 to exit 80 on I 24. It's located on Beasie Rd. They usually have several of the models on hand and have a really nice indoor range. Expect to pay full msrp for anything that they have.
The nm break is tapered,+ the nm has a hooded sight with a notch ,this adds 1/2 inch@ 100 yds Nm is factory beaded ,hb under hand guard .one in ten twist,and more 👍🏻👍💋
I have a M1A Super Match, It is no longer offered from Springfield. It has a different barrel, stock,sights and trigger than the other models, the stock is a bit oversize, the sights are Hooded match grade , the trigger is a two stage NM grade trigger, the stock is bedded, the barrel is a 1-10 Douglas stainless match barrel, the front sight is NM front sight,
Thank you for putting this video out. You covered the difference between a standard and a standard loaded really well but I am still not 100% clear on the difference between the standard loaded and the national match (besides the price). Can you shed some light?
+Gary Ralston the only true differences between the loaded and national match versions is the NM has a hooded rear sight and a beaded stick for more accurate follow up shots. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
Floated barrels and glass bedded stocks. This is where the big money difference is. The lock/barrel to stock fit is critical to accuracy on these. That is why they do not recommend taking the wood stock off any more than you have to, as it gets loose.
I’m deciphering between the loaded and the bula defense upside to bula is forged internals downside to bula is the 1 year warranty compared to Springfields lifetime warranties
I recently purchased an M1A from a dealer who is not sure if it was national or super national. Brand new $1960.00 I know it is not loaded because of the hooded rear sight. It does have NM308 on the barrel. My research has lead me to believe it is the national match. I guess my question is, because the only difference in national and super national is the oversize stock and douglas barrel both on the super, is there any other way to tell? I am not sure if I have the oversize stock. I would not think that the super has NM308 on the barrel because it has the douglas barrel. I am not to sure about that. What do you think? By the way, your video simplified the models pretty darn good. Thank you.
Have a NM(Walnut)and a SM w/a McMillan Marine Corps Camo and they're both quite smoothies and the NM is freakin' heavy!($2650.00 with a Smith & Knight mount $300 and don't even have a scope yet!)
I learned the site hole is smaller...and there is a stamped barrel. You didn't explain anything honestly that told me the DIFFERENCE that would merit any more $$
Getting good information from a promoter of Springfield guns may not always be good information, that being said in all my experience with the M 14/M1A the rear sight is tightened up a bit as is the front, and The trigger group is a little more polished but when it comes to the barrel the only difference is the girth of the barrel to support the stamp,, otherwise the barrels are the same, so I’m not trying to break your heart but a battle barrel is by far the most resilient, The tightening up of the package also will take the lugs on the side of the rifle out of the picture unless that wooden stock has been glass bedded, if it has been then the lugs are more for show then anything else, so tightening up the entire package makes for a better platform the glass bedding the sights and the trigger, but the barrel is exactly the same except for the stamp. Now when you get into the higher class rifles there’s is a completely different barrel and different set up there will also be writing on the left side of the receiver these rifles are made from tungsten steel and in the class of their own and in our price of their own.
Wrong. The extra girth on the barrel is for heat absorption, and extra weight. The NM barrel has been air gauged also, as only 1 barrel in 4 will pass the tougher air gauge inspection.
..”tightening up..of the package”? Speaking in generalities helps very few. What’s your meaning? Extra girth and radius DOES help with heat dissipation, that’s fact. A sort of rudimentary way of thinking heat “shrink”.
What is the difference in MOA that they are capable of shooting from the standard to loaded? A minute? 10 minutes ? What’s the real difference in real shooting. I just bought a standard and haven’t got to shoot it, or have enough ammunition to try it out
besides a medium barrel what improvements are actually made between standard and loaded, or national match? Lighter trigger or better stock, or even a bedded stock??
+abcdef bcdefg from stock to loaded difference is barrel, rear sight, trigger, difference between loaded and match is a hooded rear sight and bedded stock. I hope this helps.
Same identical trigger but the on the loaded rifle, a gunsmith at Springfield took the trigger apart and polished the surfaces(sears) to make sure everything is as smooth and as perfect as can be possible(tuned). You can buy the standard model and tune it yourself or pay a gunsmith to tune it and you'll have the exact same thing.
The stock is much heavier, and has a lot fatter contour, so you can sand away any wood you want to. The first area most guys grind away on is the wrist. It's VERY fat there.
What’s a Loaded M1A going for these days? I’ve saved up a few dollars, not much, maybe $1500 and I’m seriously thinking of investing in a Springfield M1A
The front sight is .062 wide, and is tapered 1 degree thinner on the far surface, and very sharp edges all around, no more than .005 radius is allowed. This makes the front sight sharper.
No one ever said it was a set trigger. The trigger is smoothed up, and taken down to 4 1/2 to 5 pounds to meet match standards. I have done a fair amount of these triggers, and it is about a 1 to 3 hour job, and some trigger groups wont work this way.
Replace that ugly neutered flash hider with one with a bayonet lug since you live in a state that allows it.you can get a Springfield Armory flash hider with bayonet lug from Midway USA and Brownells.it looks so much more authentic and better with it,.
@@richardsellsaz6865 THAT’S what I’ve decided to (FINALLY) do..been meaning to actually. Which is the CORRECT one for a Standard? A typical USGI would be my guess..nothing NM.
My local shop has a what says loaded national match on the tag for 2000 grand. Going back for another look, if its just a loaded, I pass. If its the full NM with hooded rear sight and bedded action, I snag… lol
@@Simon-talks I have seen them from 1000-1200 a few times, when I posted the post, I was looking at one on armslist for 1200.00 -- picked up a FAL sd (ds?) 58 instead for 1100.00 I will buy a m1a eventually....
@@jackdundon2261 Yeah I've looked for months and they are nowhere to be found for less than 1600. Bidenflation has ruined the 1200 prices for good i'm afraid
Loaded doesn't mean anything, you will have to bed the action, install Match Sights, Unitize the gas system, Army way or Marine Corps Way, trigger job, to give you a 4.5 lb trigger job, make the handguard solid so it does not rattle anymore. Springfield states it is loaded but there is work to be done when you get it. You might after a couple seasons go to better barrel, Krieger, Criterion to mention a couple.
Springfield INC uses foreign made parts on a American Iconic Rifle. Blasphemy lol Fulton Armory uses Kreiger Match Barrels with American made everything.
Read Lee Emmerson. He probably knows more about the M14 than anyone else. He states that some of the chinese parts are as good or better than the american ones. They made a lot of improperly heat treated recievers though.
People love the IDEA of American-made...WHEN THE QUALITY IS THERE...MYSELF included. Even paying more is expected for U.S.-made is generally the rule. What most HATE is when American quality “slips” AND you have to pay for that too. I can’t stand buying Chinese, or even ANY imported stuff usually..BUT DAMN POITICIANS HAVE SOLD US PATRIOTS OUT! That’s the new normal..
@@billhinkle1653 ...its hit or MISS when buying ‘quality’ anymore UNLESS you ABSOLUTELY KNOW the manufacturer’s reputation OR you pay seriously top dollar..
@@m118lr Green tip, I read your comments and generally I agree with them. However, it wasn’t the American politicians that sold you patriots out. It was done in corporate boardrooms and stockholders who sold you out. They and they alone made the “business “ decisions to move operations out of the country. Furthermore, the use of the word patriot is quite annoying to say the least. The only patriots in this country are our service men and women who wear the uniform everyday and night. And let’s not forget our honorably discharged veterans, they are America’s patriots. No one else fits the description that you allude to. Just for the sake of transparency, I am an honorably discharged Army infantryman who has no interest being called a patriot. The Revolutionary War ended nearly 250 years ago.
