My wife uses an LBOW Singer 301A for most of her straight stitch sewing at home, and it replaced her 401A as her “go-to” machine. She had me place the 301A in her main (largest) cabinet, mainly because she pieces and quilts on that cabinet and needs the space. The 401A is now in a smaller cabinet adjacent to it, and while still very much a part of her sewing needs, the 301A is used more often these days.
I have a black long bed 301, a black shortbed 301, and a beige 301A in my collection (the LBOW that my wife has was mine....before she took it away from me). My Mother has an LBOW Singer 301A that she bought new on November 13, 1958 (I have the original paperwork.) that I had in my house for a while, but she took it with her when she moved. Even at her age (85 years young), she wasn’t ready to give up her 301A yet. LOL
CD in Oklahoma