SPRINGFIELD ARMORY SOCOM
- Thread starter HRLRDR22
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Nice gun. Good quality. High price. Somewhat of a gimmick, but the basic M1A, equally good, isn't THAT much cheaper, really.
What else you already got? What do you want to do with the SOCOM?
There certainly are more economical toys that are equally fun.
What else you already got? What do you want to do with the SOCOM?
There certainly are more economical toys that are equally fun.
GOT A COUPLE OF HANDGUNS, SHOTGUNS, NO RIFLES YET THOUGH, LOOKING FOR A TACTICAL STYLE RIFLE LIKE THE SOCOM, INTERESTED BECAUSE OF THE SHOTER BARREL. DONT HAVE AN EXTENSIVE COLLECTION YET AS I AM YOUNG AND JUST STARTING TO COLLECT GUNS. PLUS I LIVE IN THE HORRIBLE ANTI-ASSUALT WEAPON STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
Helluva high price for a first rifle. They sell lots of them to young guys in California who want a "tactical" gun. I see it every time I go to a gun shop here in PRK.
.308 is expensive. .22LR is more fun for large-scale plinking and a LOT cheaper for practice. .223 is the best centerfire choice for plinking, or 7.62x39.
Save your money. Get an SKS or two, and a .22 for practice, so you can hit something with a centerfire. Practice makes perfect. You can doll up the SKS, which comes with a bayonet, to look as tactical as you want, for cheap, and 7.62x39 Russian ammo is cheap, and even good for deer out to 200 yards or so.
My opinion is that the SOCOM is a silly waste of money unless you have a genuine use for one.
(Please turn off your Caps Lock. If I don't ask, someone else will.)
.308 is expensive. .22LR is more fun for large-scale plinking and a LOT cheaper for practice. .223 is the best centerfire choice for plinking, or 7.62x39.
Save your money. Get an SKS or two, and a .22 for practice, so you can hit something with a centerfire. Practice makes perfect. You can doll up the SKS, which comes with a bayonet, to look as tactical as you want, for cheap, and 7.62x39 Russian ammo is cheap, and even good for deer out to 200 yards or so.
My opinion is that the SOCOM is a silly waste of money unless you have a genuine use for one.
(Please turn off your Caps Lock. If I don't ask, someone else will.)
I though SKS werent allowed in prk...shows what i know i guess...i just liked the SOCOM. Do you know where if your from Ca To get my hands on one? I am a young person, and actually my local shop which I am not impressed with didnt force it on me, they dont even darry it just what i liked looking through magazines and what not. Anyways thanks for telling me about the caps.
Here's some info on the SKS.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/index.asp
Here's how to change the stock:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/atistock/hs.asp
You can buy 10 good rifles and carbines for the price of that SOCOM.
This site is good.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/
Mosins (M38/M44 Carbine is a nice little gun for $80 at Big 5), Mausers, Enfields are all available right now for $100 or less if you are patient. SKS for less than $200.
Every last one of them will require more work at first, to clean them up, than a brand new SOCOM, but you'll learn a lot more about shooting and gunsmithing, and I'd bet you'll have a lot more fun, with a LOT less money out of pocket. And if you don't trash them, the guns will be worth more in 10 years, not less.
Want a project? Find an old beat-up Enfield, strip it, blue it, cut down the barrel and make a Jungle Carbine clone. The site above tells how. Look around it for lots of interesting ideas and projects.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/index.asp
Here's how to change the stock:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/atistock/hs.asp
You can buy 10 good rifles and carbines for the price of that SOCOM.
This site is good.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/
Mosins (M38/M44 Carbine is a nice little gun for $80 at Big 5), Mausers, Enfields are all available right now for $100 or less if you are patient. SKS for less than $200.
Every last one of them will require more work at first, to clean them up, than a brand new SOCOM, but you'll learn a lot more about shooting and gunsmithing, and I'd bet you'll have a lot more fun, with a LOT less money out of pocket. And if you don't trash them, the guns will be worth more in 10 years, not less.
Want a project? Find an old beat-up Enfield, strip it, blue it, cut down the barrel and make a Jungle Carbine clone. The site above tells how. Look around it for lots of interesting ideas and projects.
ocabj
Member
HRLRDR22 said:
Here's some advice from fellow Californian: Try to stay current with all California State gun laws and related politics.
Case in point: http://www.calguns.net/a_california_arak.htm
Forget the SOCOM for now and get an AR.
BTW: Lose the Caps Lock.
HRLRDR22 said:
Where in CA are you?
Turner's has SKS rifles. Also the Crossroads Gun Shows.
SKS originally had non-detachable magazines. The SKS not allowed are either those which have detachable mags added (you can do this yourself easily, but beware of AW laws here), and those with grenade launchers (Yugo 59/66). The grenade launcher attachment to the barrel can be drilled out to become a muzzle break, and voila, it's legal.
The Yugo Model 59 never had a launcher, so it's okay anyway.
Again, if you're loaded with cash, I'm not putting down the SOCOM. Springfield makes top-notch rifles (for top-shelf prices).
I just honestly think that a 10/22, an SKS, a Mosin Carbine and an Enfield, total price $500-600 for all (plus scopes, stocks, or whatever you feel like adding) will net more fun and more good gun experience, than the SOCOM will right now.
Look around Surplus Rifle. Check the projects on the right sidebar for the Mosin, SKS, and Enfield. If you have a workbench and some patience, there's a lot of fun to be had for a few hundred bucks!
ocabj said:
Trying to figure out how to get an AR...Im in Victorville right up the road from riverside. Guess i have to start with a lower reciever and go from there huh. Like I said new to this so slowing figuring out what ican. Caps are gone thanks again.
azredhawk44
Member
As an M1A owner:
I love my M1A scout. It's an 18" and I wouldn't ever get the 16" model for this reason: it has a smaller gas port diameter than others and is (reportedly) more prone to jams and FTE's than the other models (which are paragons of reliability).
But it isn't a good rifle for a first rifle. It stomps, twice per trigger pull. Once with recoil, and once when the bolt returns to battery. It feels VERY different than other rifles.
I think it is better than anything else that's TACTICOOL out there. So what if PRK says it's the only assault rifle people can own? Maybe PRK DOJ got something right!!! Of course, everybody should be allowed to choose anyways...
The .308/7.62Nato is a great round, though. Very versatile. Maybe a bolt or lever action rifle first, just to learn the mechanics of aiming with a rifle, cycling the action, etc? Believe me, you will continue to use it even after getting your tacticool rifle too.
I love my M1A scout. It's an 18" and I wouldn't ever get the 16" model for this reason: it has a smaller gas port diameter than others and is (reportedly) more prone to jams and FTE's than the other models (which are paragons of reliability).
But it isn't a good rifle for a first rifle. It stomps, twice per trigger pull. Once with recoil, and once when the bolt returns to battery. It feels VERY different than other rifles.
I think it is better than anything else that's TACTICOOL out there. So what if PRK says it's the only assault rifle people can own? Maybe PRK DOJ got something right!!! Of course, everybody should be allowed to choose anyways...
The .308/7.62Nato is a great round, though. Very versatile. Maybe a bolt or lever action rifle first, just to learn the mechanics of aiming with a rifle, cycling the action, etc? Believe me, you will continue to use it even after getting your tacticool rifle too.
No one wants a bolt action rifle first. Neither did I. That's okay. You'll get sick of cleaning a gas-operated semiauto, though. And you'll want more accuracy. And you'll run out of money for ammo when you shoot 200 rounds in a few minutes. Just not at first.
If you try a Mosin Carbine, though, I think you'll enjoy it. I recommend it whether or not you get an M1A.
My best advice, though, given my own experiences, is don't buy a really expensive gun first. You don't even know what you like, yet. You might really not like the thing.
If you try a Mosin Carbine, though, I think you'll enjoy it. I recommend it whether or not you get an M1A.
My best advice, though, given my own experiences, is don't buy a really expensive gun first. You don't even know what you like, yet. You might really not like the thing.
ocabj
Member
HRLRDR22 said:
Yes, read the faq completely (http://www.calguns.net/a_california_arak.htm).
Then join the calguns.net forum and read the various threads/posts regarding the off-list lower issue.
Consider taking a CMP basic rifle clinic (inquire with your state rifle & pistol assn or do a search). You'll learn a lot, have a lot of fun, and maybe save yourself a couple thousand bucks from the purchasing mistakes you won't make. If you like the ones you shoot in the clinic, consider a basic M1 Garand for starters--and maybe even end up with one. You could do a lot worse.
Everybody wants cool black cutting edge rifles with more rails than the Union Pacific. Good for the economy but doesn't necessarily equate to better riflemen or more fun or accuracy.
The standard, basic M1A is a pretty darned good rifle for lots of things, and can be "upgraded" (?) in time. I like mine; I also like my Garand a lot and shoot it as much or more.
Besides, owning an M1 makes watching "Band of Brothers" a much more meaningful experience.
Everybody wants cool black cutting edge rifles with more rails than the Union Pacific. Good for the economy but doesn't necessarily equate to better riflemen or more fun or accuracy.
The standard, basic M1A is a pretty darned good rifle for lots of things, and can be "upgraded" (?) in time. I like mine; I also like my Garand a lot and shoot it as much or more.
Besides, owning an M1 makes watching "Band of Brothers" a much more meaningful experience.
geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
+1 on the scout recommendation. It uses the regular gas system, and 18" is a better ballistics compromise. If you really want a SOCOM, get the SOCOM II, as they returned to standard gas systems with this model. Plus you get the goofy, er, awesome multi rails.
ocabj
Member
Dienekes said:
While I am a huge M1 Garand fan and I love the M14, the AR is cheaper to accurize and is easier to learn to shoot with. Less recoil and less expensive ammo on the AR means more practice time over the Garand and M14, especially for younger shooters.
From a service rifle competition, the AR is the way to go.
From a practical standpoint, it's a toss up. All three semi-auto service rifles are great firearms in their own right.
you cant
your not allowed to get a custom m-14 until you own the standard
i would pick up a cheap rifle with decent accuracy like a ruger 10/22, or some kind of surplus rifle that takes a widely avalable and cheap cartridge. i think a socom is a wonderful addition to any gun rack, but it is usually just a cool gun that you get later on. if you want a real rifle, just buy the original full sised M-1A, i think it is the best rifle ever made
your not allowed to get a custom m-14 until you own the standard
i would pick up a cheap rifle with decent accuracy like a ruger 10/22, or some kind of surplus rifle that takes a widely avalable and cheap cartridge. i think a socom is a wonderful addition to any gun rack, but it is usually just a cool gun that you get later on. if you want a real rifle, just buy the original full sised M-1A, i think it is the best rifle ever made
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Chiforavis
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- Jan 3, 2006
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SOCOM
Hi. I've owned one for eight months now, and had zero problems with it. It's very handy size, excellent sights, and negligible recoil have made it a joy to use. I'm practicing very often with it so that I can use it in three-gun matches. I have an EOTech sight on it, and it serves me OK out to 250 yards. I also own a full size M1A, the Loaded model, and they cost about the same (well, the full size is about $200.00 less !). I plan on loading some hunting bullets and running a whole slew of them on the SOCOM to see how they'll work. It is heavy for hauling it trough the woods, but it comes to the shoulder right on target for me, and I'm going to try to bag some venison with it.
Hi. I've owned one for eight months now, and had zero problems with it. It's very handy size, excellent sights, and negligible recoil have made it a joy to use. I'm practicing very often with it so that I can use it in three-gun matches. I have an EOTech sight on it, and it serves me OK out to 250 yards. I also own a full size M1A, the Loaded model, and they cost about the same (well, the full size is about $200.00 less !). I plan on loading some hunting bullets and running a whole slew of them on the SOCOM to see how they'll work. It is heavy for hauling it trough the woods, but it comes to the shoulder right on target for me, and I'm going to try to bag some venison with it.
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