Introduced in 1998, the Scout Squad Rifle is a shortened, lightened version of the M1A with an 18" barrel. To aid in controlling recoil and muzzle blast, the Scout Squad has an effective muzzle brake.

M1A vs. M14. For all intents and ... SCOUT SQUAD: comes installed ... 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, looks through the scope of his rifle onto a mortar range near Ghazni, Afghanistan, on April ...

A shortened (18" barrel), lightened version of the M1A is catalogued as the M1A Scout Squad Rifle. It was introduced in 1998 (see “Dope Bag,” April, 2000, p. 50).