Jfal
Hellcat
Regarding Tex's OP about NM barrels, the NM barrel is thicker than the standard barrel. Thus, it takes longer to heat up and conversely, it takes longer to cool down. In theory, this extends the life of the barrel since fewer shots will be taken in a hot barrel, which degrades the rifling and bore at the muzzle, leading to degradation in accuracy. Please be advised that I am not a metallurgist...just regurgitation things I have gathered through research (maybe some from questionable sources!).
Regarding "Is it worth it?"....depends. It was worth it to me to pay $200 more for a loaded M1A than a standard M1A, but that also included a better trigger AND the NM rear sight peep (with 1/2MOA increment-per-click rather than 1 MOA-per-click in windage, unless it's really elevation because my old fashions are accumulating in my bloodstream).
I think it is relevant if you are asking about used rifles vs. new rifles in the OP. I have seen grading on M1 muzzles for old, used rifles...but not for M1A's. Paying more for a used rifle with an NM barrel may not be worth it if it has been degraded from heat. But if you are comparing new-to-new, the answer may likely be YES.
Time for another old fashioned...
Regarding "Is it worth it?"....depends. It was worth it to me to pay $200 more for a loaded M1A than a standard M1A, but that also included a better trigger AND the NM rear sight peep (with 1/2MOA increment-per-click rather than 1 MOA-per-click in windage, unless it's really elevation because my old fashions are accumulating in my bloodstream).
I think it is relevant if you are asking about used rifles vs. new rifles in the OP. I have seen grading on M1 muzzles for old, used rifles...but not for M1A's. Paying more for a used rifle with an NM barrel may not be worth it if it has been degraded from heat. But if you are comparing new-to-new, the answer may likely be YES.
Time for another old fashioned...