I would rather have a std than a loaded for the purpose of a go to/SHTF rifle. If you were to run Match commercial ammo in both, you might see a 1/4 moa accuracy difference (that is about 1 1/4 inch at 500 yards).maybe, but it is difficult to qualify this.Īgain, the $$ you save with the Standard, put toward the USGI trigger, which is the only positive the Loaded has over the Standard.īTW, Springfield says they are only installing match front sights on ALL of their M1As, so both the Standard/Loaded have the match front sight, which is good. In fact, using surplus ammo, I would doubt there is any difference, with the better reliability going to the Standard. I can tell you this, the difference in 'accuracy' between the Loaded and Standard is not something that you will ever notice or miss. Since you are on survivalist board, I would assume you are not looking for a competition rifle. If you plan on shooting competition, then you will want to build your rifle, get the Standard today, shoot it until you learn to out shoot it, then use the receiver (if still in spec) to build a Match rifle. The match chamber has been cause of failure to feed/eject for surplus ammo, in both the Loaded and Match versions. The Standard will give you plenty of accuracy, to allow you (if you can) to hit targets out to 500 yards with iron sights, with surplus ammo. The matched chambered barrel is not needed. Even the hooded sight is not worth it for the 1/2 moa adjustment, only for the glare reduction. So, you have 1/2 MOA per click on the match, 1 MOA for the Standard. This means that ONLY the windage is different than the standard. The Match Rear sight is the Un-hooded sight. Use it, keep your Standard trigger group as a spare. Take the money you save from purchasing the Standard and seek out and purchase an USGI trigger group.

The match trigger is a Springfield trigger, nice, but any USGI trigger group will give you as good or better trigger pull AND will be a more durable group. With LITTLE DOUBT, get the Standard over the Loaded.

M1a socom accuracy