Is the SOCOM M1A the real deal or a marketing gimmick?

[bushmaster1313]

I have considered purchasing a rifle to replace the DPMS LR-308 that I sold because it was too big and shooting left handed the ejected cases hit me on my ear muff.

Is the SOCOM M1A the real deal or a marketing gimmick?

I am neither selling or bidding on the following auction:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=156001384

 

[Welding Rod]

If you want a short-barreled 308 with iron sights and a fixed stock, and don't care too much about accuracy, I would say it is hard to beat.

 

[Zerodefect]

Meh, the M1A is kinda obsolete. It's got power but its slow to move with and that sight mount deosn't work too swell at holding zero. I wish I could get my hands on one that worked well. That weapon system just deosn't work for me at all.

So it depends what you want from it. Hunting? Plinking? Not my first pick for defense.

 

[Frankl03]

Are you sure you want a shorter barrel M1A? I have the full sized M1A loaded and like it allot. I have seen loaded models on GunBroker for $1550. The scout is nice if you want something shorter 18" I believe.

This is mine!

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

The answer, as you might suspect, is neither one of those two extremes, but somewhere in between.

 

[bushmaster1313]

What makes an M1A "loaded"

This would be my rifle for target practice and just to have a great rifle.

Also considering a vintage rebuilt M1 Garand

 

[Frankl03]

The loaded model comes with a match barrel, 4 1/2 lb trigger and I believe improved front and rear sight.

 

[Almond27]

The M1A is obsolete are you serious!! The socom's are fine rifles backed by Springfield's great customer service and they are not inaccurate. Might want to check out m14tfl.com there is a lot of great information and honest opinions about the M1a rifle lots of knowledgeable gentlemen over there that would be more than willing to help you pick the perfect M1A.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

You get get a Saiga .308 for ~$525. It's a 16" barreled, regular stock rifle with iron sights. You don't have to convert it if you don't want to. Works just fine outta the box. It is plenty accurate at 200 yards (dunno if you shoot farther) in which case I have no idea. And at 1/3 the price of an M1A..........

EDIT: yes I know I post about Saiga all day. Sorry what can I say, I'm a fanboy.

 

[Welding Rod]

Accurate is a relative term I guess. My SOCOM shoots about 3 MOA with match ammo. From what I gather on the forums, that is not uncommon. I do believe that is the worst accuracy of any long gun I have ever owned.

 

[C-grunt]

Never been a fan of the SOCOM. The M1A is a full battle rifle not a CQB carbine. The Scout model is as short as I would go. For target work, get the full size rifle. For a SHTF rifle, get the full size. Thats how it was designed to be and has performed well in that configuration for the last 50 years.

 

[Almond27]

I own the full size myself and also think it is the way to go. I've shot a Saiga .308 converted and I do have to say that is one sweet rig but it just doesn't do it for me like the M1A. I guess it is because my Dad carried a M14.

 

[HorseSoldier]

A 16" barrel M14 clone is certainly a viable idea (though I'm more a fan of 18" barrels on an M14 sort of weapon) but the "SOCOM" name -- absolute and utter poseur-core wannabe marketing drivel.

 

[Izzy77]

it's a pathetic cast copy of a "grand" old rifle with a too short barrel.

Want more critique of the (NOT) "oldest Name in Firearms" est. 1976...? , PM me.

TDK is correct, get a ruskie gun if you like accurate short barreled 308 plinkers w/o enough barrel to burn all the powder.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

TDK is correct, get a ruskie gun if you like accurate short barreled 308 plinkers w/o enough barrel to burn all the powder.

And just think, if the rifle's $550 out the door after tax/NICS, that leaves you enough cash to buy 2,500 rounds for it. That's a couple YEARS worth of target practice lol

 

[wayne in boca]

Not surprising that the most vocal critics of the Socom 16 don't have one.Try it,you'll like it.I have two full length M14 type rifles,and a Scout (18" barrel) as well as a Socom 16.And I trained on an M14 at Parris Island in 1969.Let me assure you that the Socom 16 is not a gimmick.Maybe the name is,but the rifle is the real deal.For short to intermediate range,it is hard to beat.The sights are oversize for speed and lowlight visibility,so it is not built for precision shooting.It is perhaps the perfect deep woods 7.62 X 51 rifle.I like my Socom more every time I shoot it.And as I recall,it's a bit shorter than a Marlin 336.

 

[navyretired 1]

I really like the looks of the SOCOM but will not stand beside someone shooting one, They're muzzle velocity is about the same as the 300 savage from barrel length and it is still heavy. The question was "is it a marketing gimick", My answer is yes targeted at the possers who will never hump it and 200 rounds for 10-20 miles.
My understanding from this months American Rifleman that M-14s are being pulled and rebuilt with match barrels, adjustable stocks and new scopes and improved mounts for use in Afganistan by our Marines Designated Marksman Program.

 

[Bovice]

Just because somebody didn't carry it in the military and probably will not forseeably carry it for miles and loaded down with ammo doesn't make anyone a "poser". How about all the people who have AR-15s? What if they don't go on daily hikes uphill both ways with it? Are they posers too? The AR-15 is probably the most accessorized rifle you can find today, with all kinds of optics, lights, bipods, grips, and other gadgets. When it gets decked out in the name of home defense, they're applauded for their choice.

Your bitterness does not sit well with me, and I'm sure it doesn't sit well with the ideals of this forum. This is for firearm enthusiasts of all kinds who promote safe gun handling and legal use of firearms. It's just another rifle, meant to be legally owned and operated however the owner sees fit.

I do not own a SOCOM M1A, but I don't see a single thing wrong with owning one. By your thinking, we shouldn't own anything that resembles a military weapon because that's "posing". Good luck finding a "poser-free" gun.

 

[stubbicatt]

I like the rifle, and would not feel underarmed with it.

I've posted on this topic before, but one day myself and two buddies were at the range shooting a PTR91, a Socom, a standard M1a, and a FAL, all at point blank range, maybe 30 meters or so. Of these rifles the easiest to shoot was the Socom, followed by the PTR91. The muzzle brake makes quick followup shots very easy. The perceived recoil on all of them was the same, but the standard M1a and FAL both had greater muzzle deflection.

This was my experience, and the experience of two others on the same day with the same ammo in an admittedly subjective evaluation of these rifles.

One day I will have a Socom.

 

[throdgrain]

That SOCOM looks absolutely gorgeous I'm not often jealous but today I am. Assuming it's semi-auto I can never own one of those in this country

 

[madcratebuilder]

Meh, the M1A is kinda obsolete. It's got power but its slow to move with and that sight mount deosn't work too swell at holding zero. I wish I could get my hands on one that worked well. That weapon system just deosn't work for me at all.

That's a first. The M1A has about the most robust sights of any battle rifle. Once you have them set you can dial them back and forth and your right on your mark. Standard rifles have 1/2 moa and NM 1/4 moa.

As far as accuracy from a SOCOM, 3 moa would be normal. With all the NM tricks added it could get down to near 1 moa. These rifles were never intended as a target rifle, minute of man was the goal.

Investment cast receivers are more than strong enough for a semi auto receiver, full auto a forged receiver would be desirable, but no one in their right mind would want a full auto M14, it's just a bullet hose.

 

[cottonmouth]

I like my SOCOM II. I have not had the chance to shoot it much but so far it's been reliable and LOUD! Only bad thing is the muzzle blast, ear muffins are a must on the range. I mounted an EOTECH on mine and a vertical foregrip and bought some 20 round magazines. It's not my idea of the ideal deer rifle but I plan to take it to the woods this comming season. I know some folks don't like 'em, doesn't bother me, they make AR15 pistols too that I don't like or I think I don't since I never owned one.

J.B.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Sounds like the short barrel (16 inches) is not for me. I would want the ability to shoot tight groups, even though the rifle range at my club only goes out to 100 yards.

I need to make sure it is New Jersey legal.

My guess is that I will be looking for a surplus M1A.

Does the standard M1A have the ability to attach a bipod?

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

The M1A is legal in NJ if it's a post 1994 model just make sure of the date and of course if it has a flash hider don't put a pistol grip stock on it.

See N.J.S.A.2C:39-1w(2) and Attorney General’s Guidelines Regarding the “Substantially Identical” Provision in the State’s Assault Firearms Laws dated August 19, 1996.

The Springfield M1A is not one of the enumerated firearms which are specifically prohibited under the State’s assault firearms laws. It has been prohibited in this State as being substantially identical to a named firearm.

However, according to the manufacturer’s specifications, the M1A has been modified. The modified M1A, which became available in 1994, would not be considered to be substantially identical to a prohibited firearm in accordance with the statutory provision and the Attorney General’s guidelines cited above.

However, earlier versions of the M1A which contains at least two of the criteria identified in Paragraph B of the Attorney General’s Guidelines, supra, would still be considered to be substantially identical to a prohibited firearm and continue to be banned under our State law.

As a result, it will be necessary to clearly distinguish the physical characteristics or lack of physical characteristics when making a determination regarding the M1A rifle.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Dark Knight.

NJ law requires two evil attributes.

Even with the flash hider what is the problem?

Is it because the old models had the dreaded bayonet lug that was prohibited to cut down on a rash of flash-suppressed drive-by bayonetings?