Springfield Armory SOCOM 16 - opinions

[EOD]

Anyone with experience with the S.A. SOCOM 16? Other than the mags being on the expensive side compared to HK and FAL mags, looks like a nice weapon.

[EMDII]

I have seen a competent shooter win several matches with it, and he is a traveler in distant lands who would carry it if authorized. The SOCOM II is a bit gussied up, but somebody wants them. The SOCOM 1 is a great rifle, maybe what the M-14 could've been. I like it: if the FAL didn't exist, it'd be a good buy.

[EOD]

I thought the same about the SOCOM II, and went with the SOCOM I. It should be here next week. Like the FAL, it feels like a real rifle.

I was supposed to be getting a PTR91 Kurz Para, but there was a problem on delivery, so I have this coming. I think I'll be just as happy, although I still need to get the PTR since I have 75 mags for it!

[Windjammer]

I have a Scout with a 18" barrel setting inside a Sage chassis, it is fitted with a Aimpoint M2. Some of the other mods are Sadlak NM spring guide, Smith Enterprise bolt stop, GLFS, and Vortex flash eliminator. It definately is my favorite setup. It is the best grouping rifle that I have probably ever shot much less owned.

[Asmodeous]

The SOCOM I is my favorite M1A. It handles really well and is sufficiently accurate for most tasks. The II is far too muzzle heavy with the big tri-rail front end; I had planned on getting one, but after handling it in the store, I decided to stiock with the I.

[W.E.G.]

For the $$$, I think I'll hold out for the SCAR-H.

[redbear]

A new one came into the shop tonight, a SOCOM-2... it's the same as the socom 16, with 4 quad rails and full length scope picitinny rail... it was very cool!

[mohctep]

Maybe it's just me,but an M1A in a short barrel is just a waste.If I'm gonna have to hump a .308,then I want to be able take advantage of the full range that the caliber offers.[I DO see how it could be used to really hammer somebody in an urban environment,though].

[Adventurer_96]

Originally posted by mohctep
Maybe it's just me,but an M1A in a short barrel is just a waste.If I'm gonna have to hump a .308,then I want to be able take advantage of the full range that the caliber offers.[I DO see how it could be used to really hammer somebody in an urban environment,though].

They feel uncomfortable in my hand, a shorter barrelled rifle needs to have a pistol grip in that config. A standard M-14 feels fine, but something that's trying to be an assault rifle needs a PG IMHO.

Of course, I don't own a SOCOM, so you can probably ignore my input...

[ce]

I think the Socom I is pretty, but the Socom II has a certain je ne sais quoi that I find irresistible!

Maybe it's that elegant noir de noirs finish, or the fabulous bumps and ridges, (Oh, what fun!) but for a trim and svelte look, I can't wait for the latest rendition, the Socom III. Rumor has it that it was designed by Versace just before his untimely demise at the hands of that cruel imposter, Andrew Cunanan.

And the SCAR-H?
Oh, my god, it's simply breathtaking in it's casual, robust style, absolutely the ne plus ultra of compact rifles.

Please stop, new rifle designers, and let me catch my breath!!

[Ssarge]

ce, I want a SCAR-H only if it comes in mauve, with dark magenta colored magazines.

[EMDII]

Both the SOCOM and SOCOM II seem to point naturally. What I found is that they swing almost too easily, meaning transitions in a crowded room require some fine motor control as you seek a new target. I do like a PG for that reason. Mayhaps someone will reissue the E2 style stock for the M1A in sufficient quantity to do the job.

Of lighter material of course!

[homelandprotector]

Originally posted by W.E.G.
For the $$$, I think I'll hold out for the SCAR-H.

Ouch!, That's going to leave a bad SCAR on my wallet.

[gunplumber]

I think unitizing the brake wityh the lock ring was a poor choice as it limits options (and why I machined it to fit a short stoll)

I think the H3 front sight is too wide and too short, which at least on mine required the rear sight to be elevated quite a bit to zero at 25/200

I think the flip-up butplate is useless and the rubber pad that is available makes for too long an LOP. I'd like to see the stock cut back at least an inch with a non-flip metal plate - maybe a more agressive texture, or cut back 2" with a 1" rubber pan. I know its not cost effective with the surplus GI stock (they filled the selector cut nicely)

Mine came with an excellent factory trigger pull.

Over-all, I think a great gun.

I don't see the 100-130 fps velocity loss any big deal, particularly at the close ranges this was designed for.

[EOD]

I really like the stoll, and thanks for the pics, GP. I'm thinking about an aimpoint for it also...middle-aged eyes and all.

[medbill]

I think in the SAGE stock its a real winner.

[tac-40]

I am sorry, but the SAGE looks like something that the Hollywood prop guys came up with for ROBOCOP VIII, or the Revenge of the Terminator.

I do however, like the SOCOM 1. As EMDII stated, it is a natural pointer and handles nimbly. I think it handles similar to the HBAR AR.

[Pro-Pain]

i think they are "cool" and the socom II is even "cooler" - its a good gun with no problems but too damn expensive, if you have that much money to spend, wtf not get it. I dont trip over it, i like the original M1A better, classic feel and such, if you want a more "assault rifle" type thing, get an FAL carbine or something.

sure i like them, i like FALs more (at least i can afford them )

btw, around here socoms are like 1700-2000, regular M1A are 1500, FAL cost me ~800

[EOD]

I have a number of FALs, including carbines, and a half dozen more kits, and got a good deal on the socom due to a delivery problem on a PTR91 that I originaly wanted. I always thought the socom would be something I'd get later on down the road, but the opportunity came up so I took it. If it was one or the other, I definitly would have went with a FAL. Unlike AR's, which I also have, the socom feels like a real rifle. It has that solid feel that a FAL has. I still need to get a PTR91, though. I'm using this time to get as many of those "evil" guns as I can. Eventually they'll be harder or impossible to get. But once I've got them, I won't give them up. Guns, mags, and ammo...get them while you can.

[gunplumber]

Well the PTR 91 now has a rail forearm from JLD so we can strap all kinds of crap onto that as well!


I am obviously a big fan of the FAL, but if I was looking for a designated marksman rifle, it would be the M1A.

But i am thinking maybe the bush length - 18" barrel with both a scout reail and a receiver scope mount. take off the 10x leupold and drop on an aimpoint. Versatility.

[Windjammer]

The Sage chassis may look futuristic but dont knock it until you try it. It eliminates the need to bed the stock and utilize the gas system. This alone difinately inproves accuaracy. Along with all that it gives you a variable LOP and almost a unlimited mounting platform for accessories.

[DABTL]

I bought the M1A loaded a couple of years ago. Nice rifle.

The SOCOM looks like some abortion George Gouger dreamed up to sell on the FALfiles.

[EOD]

I don't care for the rail system on a .308. I can see a use on ARs for a white light for CQB like room clearing, but not really on a .308. But of course that's just my opinion. For some reason I do like carbines, even in .308. I guess if one had to justify a use for it, MOUT operations would be as good as any.

[FALic]

I "heard" that the agency that's buying the SOCOM is the DEA - they need something to drop cars. M4's don't cut it.

[J.C. Dodge]

EOD, I've has a SOCOM I for a year and a half, and no complaints whatsoever. Over 1500 rds. have gone down range without so much as a huccup. I have the Sage stock, and it makes it an even more versatile weapons system overall, also helps it to fit the user. A friend, who is a firearms instructor on the Mini14, commented that it seemed to not have any more recoil than the Mini, with stock collapsed or deployed. If you want a ranch type rifle, leave the OEM stock, but if you want a good tactical setup, that is tough as nails, spend the extra $ and get a Sage stock from Fulton. My rig has a 4X Illum. pistol scope w/ QD rings, and will print 1MOA at 200 mtrs w/ Fed 168 Match, and 2MOA w/ 150 Win ball at same distance, and will stop a vehicle "slightly" better than any 5.56.