I don’t really get the “ lack of native red dot support” comment. Sure, the receiver isn’t D&Td or milled for a red dot, but it’s not difficult to mount one at co witnesses with the sights.
I’m also admittedly old school as while I was issued an M16A1 I shot National match for years with M14s and M1As and I still prefer the M1A for longer range shooting. Plus it just has more soul than the more modern Mattel guns.
I did have to bed the mount for the red dot to eliminate play, but when done the 50 yard accuracy is very good with XTPs and V-Crowns:
Even the standard white box 147 gr Winchesters did well.
100 yard accuracy was also very good.
So what more do you want:
- very good accuracy for the type;
- superb reliability;
- excellent manufacturer and after market parts and accessories support;
- suppresses extremely well;
- very smooth shooting; and
- an iconic design with a well proven combat and LEO agency record;