Springfield M1A standard vs Socom 16

[quietdisdain]

Hey all,

I'm still pretty new to guns in general. I want to get a main battle rifle chambered in .308 (that can double as a hunting weapon), and after reading most of Boston's Gun Bible, the M1A seems like a good choice. I already have an AR-15, a few handguns, and a shotgun.

I guess I'm curious about the real differences between the M1A standard and the Socom 16. I know the Socom is more for close range combat, but what are the real effective ranges of the two rifles? There is a Socom available in my local FFL right now that I could purchase, while acquiring a standard M1A seems to be more difficult, and I'd probably end up spending just as much money with the shipping and transfer fees involved.

Thanks,
_qD

 

[H2O MAN]

The Bush, Scout and MK14s are nestled between the two and are the best M14 variants available.

 

[Retro]

So far, my testing of the two rifles had shown that M1A Std is more accurate at 100 yards. However, my M1A Std is bedded with JAE stock, and SOCOM is not... Currently I am waiting for a SAGE stock to arrive to fit it on SOCOM to also provide permanent bedding, and run another batch of match ammo through it to judge the real accuracy of SOCOM.

Without bedding, SOCOM 16 gets 4 MOA at 100 yards.

Another issue affecting SOCOM 16 accuracy is the scout mount which is directly clamped onto the barrel, which may affect the resonance of the barrel during firing. Of course, the scout mount will be removed in order to install it on a SAGE stock.

Idealistically speaking:

1) SOCOM 16 should be more accurate than M1A STD at 100 yards because the it's barrel is shorter (and thus stiffer) and thus less subjected to bending/twisting of the barrel during firing.

2) My M1A Std has a chromed USGI barrel, and chromed barrel are not as tight as unchromed barrel in terms of the tight tolerance of the barrel rifling.

3) At distance greater than 200 yards, SOCOM 16 will not be as hard hitting as Std and will drop off quickly due to 300 fps difference in speed.

Again, theories are just theories. I would welcome the additional inputs of M1A experts to further explore this issue.


Retro

 

[H2O MAN]

Retro
Currently I am waiting for a SAGE stock to arrive
to fit it on SOCOM to also provide permanent bedding, and run another
batch of match ammo through it to judge the real accuracy of SOCOM.


SOCOM 16 should be more accurate than M1A STD at 100 yards because the it's barrel is shorter
(and thus stiffer) and thus less subjected to bending/twisting of the barrel during firing.

Retro,

You are correct about the shorter, stiffer barrel being potentially more
accurate. However, the SAGE op rod guide block disrupts the harmonics
of the 16.25" barrel... the TROY MCS retains the original barrel band and
op rod guide making it the better modern M14 stock for the SOCOM 16.
The SAGE is best suited (designed) for 18.0" and 22.0" barreled actions.

 

[natescout]

split the difference and get a 18' scout/bush M1A

 

[MarcusWendt]

If you are only going out 100 to 200 yds the Socom is great. My buddy has one and it's a great weapon. I own the Standard and love it. You already have an AR so I'd go with the standard so you can go close in and engage at distance.

 

[FredT]

The standard has a longer sight radius and should group better. A good barrel is a good barrel. The standard is the way the rifle was designed and made its reputation for accuracy. That should say something.

 

[HorseSoldier]

The SOCOM seems a bit overly specialized, and isn't very ideal for the role it's trying to fill -- the M14 just isn't an ideal CQC gun, and it would be better in that role with a complete change of furniture, etc.

The Scout-length or standard size M14 clones are better general purpose rifles.

It does all kind of depend on what you want the rifle to do, though I'd think you'd just about always be better served with an 18" or longer barrel on this particular weapon.

 

[hawmanai]

I would recommend the longer barrel of the standard M1A barrel, the shorter barrel of the SOCOM would have a louder report and larger muzzle flash.

The longer barrel also gives higher velocity for more energy down range.

 

[onebigelf]

I like the full legth M1A, but found the SOCOM fairly stoopid. Frankly, its a flashy lure designed to attract mall ninjas. (I'm in a foul mood tonight over politics and in no mood to be nice). Muzzle flash and blast with the surplus ball we were shooting was horrendous, generating complaints from other shooters on the range. The shop my friend bought it from was nice about it and took it back in trade for a standard one. The 18" barrels might be better and a good compromise.

John

 

[longdayjake]

m1a Standard all the way. Why? If you are a shooter then you will definately want the extra barrel. The socom cannot stabilize or cycle anything over the 168 grain bullets. I have a loaded and my friend has a socom II. I loaded up some 175 homemade m118 bullets and tried to see what the socom could really do. Groups at more than 2 feet at 50 yards and doesn't cycle the action. The loaded shot them in one ragged hole at 100 yards from a rest. If you ever decide to shoot for accuracy and for distance the standard is the only way to go. But the socom was fun kinda like an ar is fun but twice as expensive.

 

[Gunfighter123]

Well , I am NOT a mall ninja --- I do own both a full size M1A and a Socom 1 ---- I have way more FUN shooting the Socom.

At 200 yards , with Fed. Match 168gr. off a sandbag , I get "head shot" size hits --- in over 500rds. I have never had a malfunction , not one.
BTW -- this was with the factory iron sights.

The Socom recoils LESS then my M1A by about 25%. I am SURE that I could do "center chest" hits out to 400 yds. off a rest.

I think that IF there is a 300fps. difference with the shorter brl. , most things you shoot won;t notice if the bullet that hit them was going 1900fps or 2200fps.

If you want a fast handleing , low recoiling rifle for "normal" distance -- check out the Socom 1 ---- now the Socom 2 really is for "Mall Ninjas"
JUST A JOKE !!!!!!!