So after quite a while of pondering the last few years, I finally pulled the trigger on ordering a Springfield SOCOM 16 as I have always thought they looked like a fun 308 thumper. Wanted the plain black stock version though found the Kryptek Highlander camo version on Palmetto state’s website for several hundred less than the black version and it looked cool enough so that’s the one I got.

Though the fit is excellent, the finish of this Hydro dipped camo pattern stock has several spots along the edges where it looks like it was rubbed/scraped, and although it doesn’t detract a ton from it as it sort of blends in, it’s still a little offputting as it is brand new and was quite expensive even on sale. Springfield said I could send it back in and they would switch the stock out, but they don’t have this pattern. It would have to be a plain black stock. What would you guys do? I know it’s a battle rifle, but I take care of my stuff pretty well. I don’t intend to throw it around and bang it up. Should I keep it or send it back and swap out the stocks?

Here are a couple of pictures of the rub marks.







Here it is not zoomed in

Just run with it. It will get much more dinged up in the future and adds character...











Tony.

- Small hobby paint brush
- Light Tan or Brown paint
- Touch up as needed

The first time you take it to the range(and every time thereafter..) it's going to get similar dings/marks. I wouldn't worry about it.

Yeah, I guess I’ll just keep it. I would rather have this camo pattern with a few scuffs versus swapping it for a plain one. Just hate seeing the scuffs straight from the factory, but hey maybe many are like this I don’t know.

It’s like owning a new truck. The first scratch always pisses you off. After that…
Besides, that camo pattern helps hide any future dings and it’s easy to touch up if it drives you nuts.

Hydrodip coatings look great, but they don’t seem to be the most durable, especially on edges. I’d touch it up and move on. Consider the dings and scrapes as patina and part of the ever evolving pattern.

That’s a good looking rifle though. I had one of the early Socom 16s. Only thing I didn’t like was the huge front sight.

I agree, it should be easy to touch up.

Funny I like the beefiness of the front sight though for pinpoint accuracy I would think it’s a bit thick. I don’t think this is much better than a 2 to 4 MOA rifle anyway though right?

Pure personal preference. It just covered up too much of the target when the range got stretched out any and I never really found an optic / mount combo I liked for the rifle.

I'm one of the weirdos who use the narrow match post on my BUIS. I like a narrow front post on a rifle, even if I never use it.

It's a working gun that you saved good money on. If it isn't your flavor, hit it with a $9 rattle can in whatever black you like.

If you get bored with black, a couple cans of some greens and browns and you can change it to good old camo whatever you want again. In the winter, hit it with whites and light grays to go with your overwrites.

That rifle is made for being handy, shorter ranges with the chubby front sights and slinging some lead downrange. Fantastic guns.

Welcome to the M1a club. Our friend Tonyben who posted above is a M1a gunsmith and has some very good YouTube tutorials. Toss that plastic stock and buy a GI fiberglass. A few cans of krylon and be happy. Then whatever you do, don’t go to the Smith Enterprise website for upgrades.

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
Then whatever you do, don’t go to the Smith Enterprise website for upgrades.

Why's that? I have some SEI parts on my Scout, and have been very happy with them.

quote:

Originally posted by copaup:
Pure personal preference. It just covered up too much of the target when the range got stretched out

You can either replace the front sight with one of the few aftermarket Socom-height front sight options that is thinner, or swap the entire gas lock/front sight base to an aftermarket one that uses standard height M1A front sights and have a much wider variety of front sight options.

Neither, that plastic pos stock Springfield sends the gun with is flimsy as shit. Get a nice walnut stock or one of the surplus gi ones for cheap, reinforce it/bed it then give it a camo paint job.
I did the walnut route and then got my gi stock and I’m not done working on that yet but it’s been a fun project. Plus I got the gi metal butt plus instead of the rubber pad

quote:

Originally posted by limblessbiff:
Neither, that plastic pos stock Springfield sends the gun with is flimsy as shit. Get a nice walnut stock or one of the surplus gi ones for cheap, reinforce it/bed it then give it a camo paint job.

I did the walnut route

Ditto. With a matching Walnut handguard.



Or an Ultimak instead of the overly tall and equally flimsy factory scout rail, if you need a forward optic mount.

It’s a joke. SEI makes the best parts but Damn they’re expensive. I have 3 M1A rifles and have made a healthy amount of purchases from SEI. I guess the joke was lost in translation.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
Then whatever you do, don’t go to the Smith Enterprise website for upgrades.

Why's that? I have some SEI parts on my Scout, and have been very happy with them.

quote:

Originally posted by copaup:
Pure personal preference. It just covered up too much of the target when the range got stretched out

You can either replace the front sight with one of the few aftermarket Socom-height front sight options that is thinner, or swap the entire gas lock/front sight base to an aftermarket one that uses standard height M1A front sights and have a much wider variety of front sight options.