Trade a PTR-91 for a Socom-16?

Hi all,

I have a simple request for a discussion and get some folks' opinions: I just recently got an interesting trade opportunity dropped in my lap and wanted to see if the .308 crowd (with special attention to PTR-91 and Socom-16 owners) had an opinion to share.

Long story short, I might be able to trade my PTR-91 (18" bbl) to a guy who has a Socom-16 with a 10-rd mag and one of those BSA dot sights plus a front night sight, claimed to have only 200 rounds through it.

Background: I already have a recently-bought-used Loaded M1A with 10 20-rd mags and a 10-rounder; shoot it very often and enjoy pretty much everything about it. I have had my PTR-91 for a few years, and it is accompanied by a stock of fifty (50) 20-rd mags I bought really cheap a while back, and the proprietary rear sight adjustment tool. The rifle has barely 100 rounds through it, and I don't shoot it much anymore.

Here's what I came up with as far as pros and cons for the PTR just as it is:

PTR Pros
Impressively reliable and easy to maintain
Low recoil (nice standard stock and buttpad helps!)
Shoots any type of ammo
Sight picture with the 100-yd sight is really nice
I have 50 mags for it

PTR Cons
I HATE, HATE, HATE the ergonomics on the button mag release (can't reach it with my shooting finger like on an AR-15); DAMNTHEATF!
I dislike the charging handle position and operation
I need an EXPENSIVE special tool JUST TO ADJUST THE REAR SIGHT FOR ELEVATION (yes I know you can do it with a hemostat/pliers, but I didn't learn that till after I'd bought the tool)
It damages the brass, precluding the ability to reload
Trigger's clunky
Sling loop design makes it impossible to properly install an M-1(web) or Turner sling
Attaching optics and other accessories is awkward and costly (stupid $250 claw mount!), which is why I've never done it
Upgrades and retrofits are also costly ($200 and up for a paddle mag release? don't want it THAT badly!)
Those 50 mags aren't compatible with any other rifle in my inventory and just take up space more often than not =

Next, the Pros and Cons in trading the PTR-91 for the Socom-16:

Trade Pros
I get a Socom without paying any money out of pocket
I'll have a .308 rifle that shares mags (though only 10 of 'em) and functions similarly with a rifle I already have
I won't have to bring a sight tool with me to the range!

Trade Cons
Load for load, the Socom won't have the muzzle velocity of the PTR
I'll probably never (want to) buy a PTR-91 again (yes this is a con, as I do truly respect the PTR-91 for what it is)


These are just working thoughts I've been doing some brainstorming on, so this list is not really complete as I'm sure I haven't thought of everything.

Would anyone like to weigh in on this? Let's chat!

My opinion is biased as the first "large caliber" rifle I ever shot was a Garand. I would go with the Socom 16. I've always loved the feel of the M1A, and likely always will. I have a Mini 14 (soon to be converted to 300BLK), a Mini 30, and in the future will likely get an M1A (and maybe a Garand) at sometime. I've never held a PTR-91, but I have seen one up close and it honestly just doesn't appeal to me. I'm kinda old school when it comes to semi-auto firearms, but that's just me.

Thanks for your input! I own a couple Garands myself thanks to the CMP, and the "heritage" connection between the Garand and the M14/M1A/etc. series is an attractive one, to be sure.

When all is said and done, I wish I had enough money in my pocket and room in my safe to buy the Socom AND keep the PTR, but it's an imperfect world and that just ain't gonna happen for me. A choice has to be made, which is why I'm hoping to gather as many perspectives as I can through this discussion.

that loss of velocity is negligible in the grand scheme of things. What type of ammo were you shooting out of the PTR, know the average velocity? They're battle rifles! SOCOM should be a shoe-in, no debate necessary!!

I agree that the loss of velocity can be negligible, but it was a con I felt needed to be acknowledged because it has an effect on overall range and trajectory drop.

I was mostly shooting Brown Bear or American Eagle (Federal) 150-gr loads through the 18" PTR, but I never chrono-ed them...I just know that the lesser barrel length of the Socom will lead to reduced velocity to some degree; one guy I read who used custom loads said his Socom was 35-80 fps less than his PTR...so no, not earth-shattering.

the PTR chewing up brass is a deal breaker for me. .308 is spendy stuff

Keep the PTR-91.

You don't "need" another M1A.

Loaded M1A > Socom 16

If you really want a short .308 pick up a Keltec RFB.

There's buffers that will cure that.

http://www.robertrtg.com/pofport_carry.html

Can't disagree with anything in particular here.

I will say that the Socom is more expensive than the PTR and if you're being offered a straight trade, that's a hell of a deal. I'm not a particular fan of shorter M1As and I'd be tempted from that standpoint alone.

Don't know if I'd do it or not, though, I sure do like the PTR.

"I will say that the Socom is more expensive than the PTR and if you're being offered a straight trade, that's a hell of a deal. I'm not a particular fan of shorter M1As and I'd be tempted from that standpoint alone. "

That's the main thing that got my attention in the first place; I wouldn't buy a Socom with cash out of hand, BUT the opportunity to trade a rifle that I hardly use at all anymore anyway for a Socom is compelling. An exchange probably wouldn't even be plausible value-wise if I didn't have 50 mags to back my end of the trade.

I also agree that the Loaded is better than the Socom- but then again "two is one and one is none" does come to mind. I certainly recognize as well that Kel-tec's RFB is a better fit for the "short .308" question (I already have an FAL and do have a lot of interest in an RFB), but nobody I know of would trade an RFB for the PTR, monetary value notwithstanding.

shit, that ammo you're shooting has that much variance between each load! HA!! Do you plan on shooting 1000 yards with your rifle? Competitions?

Do the trade! Stop asking us and do it already!

My buddys socom 16 is the tamest 308 I have ever shot. just my .02

Trade it. I like standardization, which is why I have two MAS 49/56's and want another. For 7.62 NATO, I prefer the FAL, but the M14/M1A is a close second. I do not care for the G3 pattern, so it would be an easy decision for me.

I would make that trade.

I do have Federal Gold Medal 162-gr loads, but I'd never waste those on the PTR or even the Socom; only through my full-size M1A, which I may take to competitions someday. Brown Bear and the cheap Federal ammo I would never expect to shoot long range with, but I can at least hit man-sized targets at 400yds with the Federal (never tried it with the Brown Bear, though).

Make the trade.

1. you might lose 25-40 fps-so what
2. Youre shooting ammo where that wont make a difference
3. That loss in velocity can be made up with superperformance (which I doubt you use shooting brown bear) and is only a big deal at long range (which i assume you don't do as well)

I would get trade the SOCOM in a second, then re-sell it for a profit then get a more better 308 variant and have money left over for ammo/scope

Do the trade and then try to swap the SOCOM for a Bush or a Scout.

My opinion on your quandry is to keep the PTR and save up for the M1A.
I traded my PTR for a M1A, I wish I had both now.

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If you rethink, you can always sell the M1A and buy another PTR.

Why keep a gun you do not shoot?

Totally agree.

I traded my PTR for an AR-10 and don't miss it at all.
Do it!

Trade talks have stalled and I'm in a waiting pattern.

The guy should be contacting me again soon. Will see what happens in the next week!

also, fervid, what you should be thinking about is the fact that the elections (or what I like to call "appointments") are coming up quick. As a result of that circus, costs on "evil black rifles" are already going up (I just bought another AK for this reason). A PTR for sale during the election disaster will be worth a lot more cash than a PTR at this moment.

Remember, M1A's are not "evil" because they lack a "pistol grip" in their original configurations, and should thus be available for the foreseeable future.

If you have the patience (I probably wouldn't, but thought I'd pass it on to you), save it up for election time, then sell the beast for a nice chunk.

Either way, this appears to be a win/win. Good luck.

I sold mine and bought an AR-10. I don't miss those horrible ergo's either. Loved it for what it was and its operation, but shooting it sucked. Not going to keep something that I feel that way about.

Make sure you get a kick-ass stock for that Socom when you get it.

Bad Ass Stock

Pricey, but awesome.

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