I’m considering this gun or picking up the Tavor in 308 which is expected soon. Anyone have the Springfield, if so , what are the pros and cons?

I have a Socom 16 I traded into a few months back.



Pros (compared to a standard configuration M1A):
Handy length. Slightly lighter weight. Muzzle brake does a nice job of taming recoil/muzzle rise. Iron sights are quickly acquired for closer range shooting, due to larger aperture and wider front sight

Cons (compared to a standard configuration M1A):
Shorter range due to lower muzzle velocity. Iron sights are less precise at longer ranges, due to shorter sight radius, larger aperture, and wider front sight. Greater muzzle blast/flash. Some proprietary gas system parts.

The factory plastic stock and handguard are junk. So is the factory scout optic mount. I immediately swapped my stock for a walnut stock and handguard from Boyds, but there are other good options for better quality stocks. And if you want a scout optic mount, get an Ultimak rail instead.

Don't bother with the Socom II with the ginormous quad rail. It's huge, bulky, heavy, and it ruins the rifle's balance.

I have the next size up; the Scout Squad. 18" barrel so you recover some velocity; front rail which is removable with allen screws if you don't want it, and can be adapted to either the standard GI iron sights, or the larger shorter range Socom 16 sights. The brake is very effective, and the stock seems well made and solid.

I'm very happy with this rifle. Recoil is straight back and very mild. I will likely replace the trigger, either with a Bruce Dow trigger job (he is local to me) or a drop in from shootingsight.com, as the stock trigger, while fine for CQB style drills, is a heavy for more precision shooting, and I am more interested in making this rifle perform in the 100-300 yard range.

Overall, I'm thrilled with it. I have shot the Socom 16, and don't regret my choice to go with the slightly longer Scout at all.

I had both and kept the Scout. With a few parts swapeed, you can get the Scout down to almost SOCOM 16 OAL. Not a fasn of the SOCOM II or CQB, tkaes away from the handiness.

Comparing to the Tavor is probably apples and oranges. The M1 is proven and parts will be around for a long time and easily accessible. The Tavor has neither going for it.

The one thing that stood out about the SOCOM I had was it was LOUD!

I love mine:




I've always found it curious how some will complain about the SOCOM 16's muzzle blast/short barrel/etc/etc, yet.. when the SCAR 17 is mentioned for example, many of these same folks will cream their jeans. Odd... since both of these rifles have the exact same length barrel.

Sorry to drift the thread, but what's the consensus of James River Armory products -- they have a 19" barreled "Paratrooper" built on a Bula receiver sold through Classic Firearms (which is one of the two Bula distributors, if I read the Bula site correctly). I'm seeing iffy reviews of both JRA and Classic Firearms, but figured ya'll would know the scoop.

https://www.classicfirearms.co...ut-stock-jra-carbine

Thanks.

I appreciate the responses. Looks like I will be picking one up. Thank you all!

quote:

Originally posted by Holger Danske:
Sorry to drift the thread, but what's the consensus of James River Armory products -- they have a 19" barreled "Paratrooper" built on a Bula receiver sold through Classic Firearms (which is one of the two Bula distributors, if I read the Bula site correctly). I'm seeing iffy reviews of both JRA and Classic Firearms, but figured ya'll would know the scoop.

https://www.classicfirearms.co...ut-stock-jra-carbine

Thanks.

I met both Bula and JRA at SHOT this year. As with any product and company that gets started, their products have gotten better as time goes by. Their build and QC process continues to improve. I am pleased to see the direction they are going.

Although there is some teething, you are really getting a lot for your money considering the amount of forged parts you get (Receiver, operating rod, gas cylinder, hammer etc...).

Tony.

I have bought a lot of rifles. I have sold exactly two of them in nearly 50 years. One was a SOCOM16.
Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
I have bought a lot of rifles. I have sold exactly two of them in nearly 50 years. One was a SOCOM16.
Good luck.

What was the reason for selling?

quote:

Springfield M1A SOCOM16 CQB 16”

There is no upside to counter its negatives. Inaccurate, muzzle blast, crappy stock parts and some unique ones, sight issues, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
crappy stock parts and some unique ones

SOCOMs requires no unique stock parts. Any standard M14/M1A stock and handguard will drop right in.

I had one. I don't miss it. I might pick up a Scout one day though.

quote:

Originally posted by nukeandpave:

Scope details?

Burris 2.75X scout scope.

I have one, mostly stock, purchased not long after they came out. It uses the original factory scout mount with an aimpoint on top.

I don't notice it as loud, but others nearby say so. I don't know that its a tack driver, but it doesn't need to be; it's more than accurate enough.

I think practically speaking, a 18" barrel is the shortest one ought to go with a rifle of this type, and the name "socom" is a bit hinky. However, as a rifle goes, though it's a bit heavy for what it is, I like it.