In an effort to round out my standard issue US infantry weapon collection, I'm looking at purchasing a M1A rifle that is walnut stocked that is representative of the early Vietnam era. I have no plans to shoot the rifle in matches or plan to mount a scope on it.

I know Springfield Armory is one of that typically comes to mind, but have also heard about LRB and James River Armory/Classic Firearms as a source for Vietnam era M14s. Price point obviously steps up steeply with the James River and particularly so with the LRB. Fulton Armory is another one that I'm familiar with.

Reliability is my primary goal, since it will be a rifle that gets shot but closely behind that is the looks of the rifle being representative of the Vietnam war.

Any words of wisdom?

Are there any reliability issues with the SA M1A standard?

Any reason to step up to a James River Armory which is about 50% more or LRB with is over 2x the price of a SA?