SOCOM 16 vs. Scout Squad?

[Shawn Kethley]

I will soon be purchasing a Springfield Armory M1A and have narrowed my selection down to either the SOCOM 16 or the Scout Squad.

The remaining factors here are NOT with the overall length, bullet velocity, accuracy, range, sights, or price. My concerns are as follows:



1. Muzzle Flash and Blast: I have heard that this is near unreasonable on the SOCOM due to the permanently attached muzzle brake and that on the Scout / Squad the muzzle device is interchangeable allowing you to solve any flash / blast issue.

If anyone has shot the SOCOM and can comment on the "flamethrower" that it is, please do so...

Flash revealing my positon - not an issue. Blinding myself to prevent a quick second shot - BIG issue.

Also, if my ears bleed from the blast even when wearing ear protection, it's no good.



2. Reliability: The SOCOM uses a "different" gas operating system than the standard for the M1A to improve reliability with the shorter barrel.

Different how so? Anything not proven in the field concerns me.




These two issues aside (which are vital), I'm leaning towards the SOCOM.

Should I be concerned about muzzle flash and this new gas operating system? :banghead:

THANKS!

 

[BBroadside]

Welcome to The High Road (where not all of us are going to Scotland)!

I can't answer your question, but maybe others can!

I'd be interested in any knowledge THR members can lend regarding the various effects of the various flash hiders on the amount of noise experienced by the shooter. (The variety of flash hiders seems to be growing and, unlike ballistics, I find it hard to find any actual numbers on their performance.) I am basically a huge wimp when it comes to noisy guns, usually doubling up with plugs and muffs, and I haven't actually fired any big-caliber carbines.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

The 'search' feature is your friend

I am fairly certain this topic hasn't seen a lot of discussion because it was just covered in a little more depth a few days ago.

If you type the title into the search bar, you should get a lot more than two replies.

 

[elmerfudd]

I don't have a SOCOM, but I do have a Saiga .308 with a 16" barrel and an AK74 brake on it so as far as muzzle flash goes, it should be pretty darn similar. What I've found is that the flash depends on the load. I've done some reloads with RL15 and I've got some surplus stuff that makes one hell of a fireball. With other loads it's no big deal. I think it mostly depends on how fast burning the powder is.

 

[possum]

welocme to thr, great question. either one would serve you well, but the scout is the well known gp m1a. you can get accurate hits out at longer ranges that you would think and as well it is small enough to be able to work in and around structres; ie urban enviornments.

i have never shot either at night the scout happens to be my favorite and the route that i would take and plan on taking when i buy one.

 

[For Freedom]

I will soon be purchasing a Springfield Armory M1A and have narrowed my selection down to either the SOCOM 16 or the Scout Squad.

Sounds good.

The remaining factors here are NOT with the overall length, bullet velocity, accuracy, range, sights, or price. My concerns are as follows:

1. Muzzle Flash and Blast: I have heard that this is near unreasonable on the SOCOM due to the permanently attached muzzle brake and that on the Scout / Squad the muzzle device is interchangeable allowing you to solve any flash / blast issue.

You won't notice any "blast" on your face or anything. There is a fair amount of flash. You'll be able to see it in broad daylight.

If anyone has shot the SOCOM and can comment on the "flamethrower" that it is, please do so...

It's not a flamethrower really.

Flash revealing my positon - not an issue. Blinding myself to prevent a quick second shot - BIG issue.

This isn't an issue at all. Also, if it really bothered you you could use Hornady TAP ammo. It's designed to reduce flash.

Also, if my ears bleed from the blast even when wearing ear protection, it's no good.

My cousin shot 40 rounds from my SOCOM in two minutes with no hearing protection. I asked him if his ears were ringing afterwards and he said they were not. I'd recommend hearing protection though. People have commented that my SOCOM is twice as loud as a 14.5" AR15.


2. Reliability: The SOCOM uses a "different" gas operating system than the standard for the M1A to improve reliability with the shorter barrel.

The gas system is mostly the same. The gas plug, piston, cylinder, and operating rod are the same. I've read that the gas port from the barrel is larger but I haven't been able to find details on that.

Different how so? Anything not proven in the field concerns me.

I've put over 500 rounds through mine with zero failures. It seems to me that the operating rod gets pushed back pretty good.



These two issues aside (which are vital), I'm leaning towards the SOCOM.

I enjoy mine. I've had no experience with the Scout so I won't tell you which one to get.

Should I be concerned about muzzle flash and this new gas operating system?

No. I really like the SOCOM's compensator and barrel length. It keeps the muzzle down pretty good and makes the gun nice and compact.

THANKS!

You're welcome.

 

[glockman19]

Welcome to THR. between tehtwo rifles you're looking at I would chose the Scout Rifle.

 

[H2O MAN]

I prefer the 18.0" Bush, Scout and MK14, but the SOCOM is a fine M14 type carbine.
That said, my M14 carbine will be a M14K just as soon as SEI starts building them

 

[steveracer]

Of the two, the 18" barrelled one is my preference. The scout/squad is a great rifle. I liked mine. I eventually sold it and bought the standard length rifle. It was easier on the ears, and the deer didn't notice the slight extra weight.
Steve

 

[Shawn Kethley]

The Scout Squad it is...

I appreciate your help in this decision guys (especially the thorough answers that For Freedom provided)!

After much research I am confident that the gas operating system of the SOCOM is 100% reliable. It turns out that the deciding factor was that the muzzle device on the Scout can be replaced. I would like to keep my options open for a silencer in the future.

Thanks again! - SK

 

[Jason_G]

Based simply on the way the M1A's handle for me (YMMV), this is the way I would rank them:

1. Full length (Standard or Loaded)
2. Bush (Scout w/out the rail)
3. Scout
4. SOCOM 16
5. SOCOM II

Contrary to the way I would have imagined it, the full length rifles shoulder faster and feel far more balanced than the shorter ones. When I threw up the full lengths, the sights were "right there". I had to fidget with the shorties, and once lined up, they simply didn't feel as "good" to me- like the balance was off. Maybe I'm just used to full length rifles, but unless I had a real need for a shorter barrel, I would take the whole barrel and not look back.

Just my two hundredths of a buck.

Jason

 

[VA27]

Blast- Yup, it has some. ANY short barrelled rifle will be louder than one with a longer barrel. I doubt that the 2" barrel difference between the Scout and the SOCOM is measurable without insturmentation, but the SOCOM will SEEM louder because of the compensator.

Flash- Depends on the ammo. I've shot some old HSM 'Police' practice ammo that lets off awsome fireballs!

Reliability- No worries there. The SOCOM works with any load, but hunting ammunition with bullets over 180grs will wear the gun faster as it will with ANY M1A/M14.

The compensator is very effective! I wish I could put one on my M14! Everone who has shot my SOCOM or watched someone else shoot it, has commented on the lack of perceived recoil and muzzle rise. The SOCOM has about the same muzzle rise as an AR15. It's just a hoot to shoot!

I prefer the SOCOM over the SOCOM II. All the extra stuff on the II spoils the looks to me.