The longer action and barrel offers better balance and, at least for me, balance is an important attribute in the overall package..
As noted previously, the short action Fieldcrafts that I've handled were all butt-heavy like the Remington Sevens with 18.5" and 20" barrels tend to be.
The bulk of that "better balance" is the no. 2 contour found on the LA. But I agree, the SA's no.1 barrel is too short and it does balance more like that ultimate POS the Rem 7... but a 21" no.2 contour would have helped big time. 22"+ would have been even better.
The other day I was at GUNSUNLIMITED and handled Fieldcrafts in 270 and 6.5 Creedmoor one after the other. The SA Fieldcraft felt very muzzle-light, making it feel butt-heavy to me, so balance wise it reminded me of a light Remington Seven. The LA Fieldcraft felt as though it had a neutral balance and pointed more naturally as it came to the shoulder, sort of like a CLR or NULA 24. That has been my experience handling the Fieldcrafts. As they say, YMMV.
Note to the OP, $3,500 would probably buy you a CLR/NULA hybrid, with just the CLR action being retained, and a matched NULA 20 rimfire repeater to use as an understudy.
