SOCOM II questions

[Backpacker33]

One of our sons, who just became my *favorite* son, gave me a Springfield SOCOM II.

The top rail is not aligned with the sights. It is off set slightly to the left. When I bring the rifle to my shoulder the left ear and sight post share the view in the peep. The lower part of the post and the lower half of the right ear are blockked. Springfield says this is normal, but I find it distracting. My eye attempts to align the peep with the trough in the rail, and that forces me left of the front post. It is easy enough to realign, but this makes sight acquisition slower for me, and I don't like the uneven presentation of the front sight. It's not something I think I want when trying to form a quick sight picture.

I thought to loosen and realign the rail, but Springfield says it is rivited to the gun and therefore not removable or re-alignable. That seems to be true.

If I mount an optical sight or other aiming device on the top rail, won't it be off-center?

Also, how do I remove at least the lower rail for field stripping?

-Backpacker

 

[1KPerDay]

Wish I had a son like that...

Personally I'd put it in a GI stock and lose the rails. But that's just me. The top rails are intended to mount an optic; if you're not using one there's no reason for them to be there other than to distract you and look cool.

 

[Shung]

I knew I need to have a son !!!

btw, this thread is worthless without some pictures !

NOT having a son, and therefore no Socom II, i can't help you.. but still i^'d like to see it !

 

[shotgunsrfun]

I thought a SOCOM was a pistol??????

 

[Shadow Man]

A Springfield SOCOM II is a rifle, a scout version of the M1A with a load of Picatinny rails that make it front heavy (I know, I own one ).

Backpacker33, 'fraid I can't help you...my rails are perfectly straight.

 

[crawfobj]

The bottom half of the rail cluster comes off in 2 seconds. There is a clip on either side of the cluster that push forward or back (can't remember which), and then the bottom rail assy just comes off. Putting it back on is just as easy. The side rails remain attached.

 

[Backpacker33]

crawfobj:

I agree about the rails. The factory said the top one is rivited to the gun. I don't know how I'd get it off.
-backpacker

 

[mshootnit]

mount a red dot and forget about it. If its off to one side 1/8 of an inch consider that part of the deal. Good weapon systems through the years have used optics that were off center and these were and still are effective.

 

[Backpacker33]

Pic of two of my favorite "instruments"

OOPS! As admonished, here are a couple pix of two of my favorite instruments. Can't wait to "strum" the SOCOM II.
-Backpacker

 

[MCMXI]

A Springfield SOCOM II is a rifle, a scout version of the M1A with a load of Picatinny rails that make it front heavy (I know, I own one ).

Are you sure that a SOCOM 16 is a Scout version of an M1A. I have a Springfield Scout Squad rifle but it has a longer barrel than the SOCOM. The Scout has an 18" barrel whereas the SOCOM has a 16.25" barrel. I'm not trying to start an argument but I am genuinely interested as to whether or not it's correct to call a SOCOM a Scout.

 

[Shadow Man]

Are you sure that a SOCOM 16 is a Scout version of an M1A. I have a Springfield Scout Squad rifle but it has a longer barrel than the SOCOM. The Scout has an 18" barrel whereas the SOCOM has a 16.25" barrel. I'm not trying to start an argument but I am genuinely interested as to whether or not it's correct to call a SOCOM a Scout.

You know, to be completely honest, I could be wrong. It's happened before.
So...I'm going to quickly check the Springfield site and then pretend like I knew all along.
Aaaand...it doesn't really say. They do, however, call it a Close Quarters Battle Rifle...
Now, Scout rifles, I believe, have a provision for mounting optics well forward from the action, with extreme eye relief, correct? If so...I guess you really can't call the SOCOM II a Scout rifle, because there are parts you can purchase to extend the rail over the action and use a traditional optic...although in stock form, the rails are positioned so far forward as to make a traitional mount impossible.

 

[Art Eatman]

Bump.

 

[LemmyCaution]

The top rail is not aligned with the sights. It is off set slightly to the left.

Sounds like your cluster rail is canted. I don't have a SOCOM II. I have a Scout/Squad, so I can't speak to whether the rail is riveted or screwed to the barrel. The Scout/Squad's rail is clamped to the barrel with hex socket cap screws. Once you get the bottom rail off your SOCOM, you should remove the stock and see if the top rail uses screws to affix it to the barrel. If you can loosen the screws, you can correct the cant of the rail, relative to the sights.

Also, you might try asking your question here:

http://www.M14tfl.com

You might get a more definitive and quicker answer.