M1A SOCOM - Page 1

Posted: 9/28/2022 6:51:20 PM EDT

What niche’s does this gun fill? I have a few different M1A style rifles. What void does the SOCOM fill? Would you rather have a SOCOM or a scout? Why?

Posted: 9/28/2022 7:23:41 PM EDT

[#1]

Scout..... Because.

Posted: 9/28/2022 8:08:02 PM EDT

[#2]

If I was going to get one, it would be the scout. A lot of positive accuracy comparisons for the scout vs. the Socom.

The Tanker version seems sexy

, but the Scout is probably the most practical version due to meeting the middle between the full size and small ones, while also offering simpler mounting solutions for optics.

Posted: 9/28/2022 8:14:20 PM EDT

[#3]

Scout has better sights, but the SOCOM is kinda fun in its own right, a but handier

Wish the sights were easier to swap, though.

Posted: 9/28/2022 8:22:39 PM EDT

[#4]

SCOUT!

Attached File

Posted: 9/28/2022 9:02:33 PM EDT

[#5]

The only way I could make myself like the SOCOM was to EBR and suppress it.

Now it’s one of my favorites.

The SCOUT is a nice sized package. If buying it would be next.

Posted: 9/28/2022 10:00:47 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Scout has better sights, but the SOCOM is kinda fun in its own right, a but handier

Wish the sights were easier to swap, though.

View Quote

I have a Scout but I have never handled a SOCOM. How are the sights different..?

Posted: 9/28/2022 10:20:04 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:

I have a Scout but I have never handled a SOCOM. How are the sights different..?

View Quote

The SOCOM has a tritium front that is very thick. The rear is a massive large peep sight. The sights aren’t really meant for precision. It’s like someone wanted an M1A to be a dynamic entry gun with more power than a 556 without being an AR10 style rifle.

I asked the question in the OP because I was curious what peoples thoughts were. I have, one chicom M14S, a Loaded stainless, 2 scouts(one set up as a unique side folder) and a SOCOM in the cryptek camo. It’s not like I needed to be convinced to get one. I’m just not sure why I bought it other than to have one and it was on sale at PSA.
Some photos for the heck of it.

Posted: 9/29/2022 6:09:36 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

The SOCOM has a tritium front that is very thick. The rear is a massive large peep sight. The sights aren't really meant for precision. It's like someone wanted an M1A to be a dynamic entry gun with more power than a 556 without being an AR10 style rifle.

I asked the question in the OP because I was curious what peoples thoughts were. I have, one chicom M14S, a Loaded stainless, 2 scouts(one set up as a unique side folder) and a SOCOM in the cryptek camo. It's not like I needed to be convinced to get one. I'm just not sure why I bought it other than to have one and it was on sale at PSA.
Some photos for the heck of it.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77421/5F9CBF5F-FF26-4F78-A8B7-9D9A7A118647-2345677.jpg

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77421/20181216_165146_jpg-774817.JPG

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77421/20181216_165353_jpg-774813.JPG

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77421/20181216_165429_jpg-774816.JPG

View Quote

I would love more details regarding that side folding scout. That one would seem to blow a SOCOM out of the water.

Posted: 9/29/2022 9:10:40 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
SCOUT!
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/16056/DSC02607_jpg-2543105.JPG

View Quote

I love that camo on the stock

Posted: 9/29/2022 9:26:22 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I would love more details regarding that side folding scout. That one would seem to blow a SOCOM out of the water.

View Quote

I made a thread on it a few years ago in this forum. I’ll see if I can find it.

It’s a Vltor stock, with a sig side folder. I had an adapter made from a company called stormwerks and they made a pic rail that fit into the proprietary mount.

I asked vltor if they would ever off such an item and they said they had no intention of it. So I made my own.

Posted: 10/22/2022 3:31:40 AM EDT

[#11]

It is reliable, and a great shooter. I have a red dot co-witnessed on mine. Carried it at work for a while.

Posted: 11/6/2022 10:57:07 AM EDT

[#12]

I love mine... however I hate the Scout set up so I moved my Red Dot to a Sage Industries stripper clip mount.

Posted: 11/6/2022 2:46:44 PM EDT

[#13]

Id say a scout unless you want a more compact package…I like my smith enterprise “socom” length build and have no problems reaching out to 400 yards if needed. When running suppressed it also makes for a more compact setup.

Posted: 11/7/2022 2:17:40 PM EDT

[#14]

FWIW the socom with a delta p or sei gas lock as well as a typical sized muzzle device is so close to the overall length of a scout I can't help but suggest the scout for most people. Especially since the scout uses standard front end parts vs socom proprietary front end.

Posted: 11/7/2022 9:41:13 PM EDT

[#15]

Are you running a Schuster on that? That’s a Resonator right? How does it cycle?

Posted: 11/8/2022 8:12:48 PM EDT

[#16]

Having owned all of them, the Standard, the Scout, the Socom, my vote goes to the Socom, or the Tanker.
The front sight can be swapped out using parts from Smith Enterprises. Such a short, nice handling package.

Posted: 11/16/2022 4:22:01 PM EDT

[#17]

I prefer the socom over the scout mostly for its size. The factory sights suck but I swapped them out for a standard rear sight. The front sight post I replaced with a standard “tall” from LRB.

Posted: 12/11/2022 1:28:34 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Having owned all of them, the Standard, the Scout, the Socom, my vote goes to the Socom, or the Tanker.
The front sight can be swapped out using parts from Smith Enterprises. Such a short, nice handling package.

View Quote

100%

The cqb sight is very course.
I put match sights on mine and an arms 18 mount. Add a lpvo and it can be pretty versatile and pack a punch.

Posted: 12/19/2022 4:28:11 PM EDT

[#19]

I debated this before I bought an M1A. My rationale with all the pros listed by each:

SOCOM is shortest.

Scout is shorter than standard but not as short as the SOCOM (really a mid-level, does most things decently kind of compromise). Uses all standard parts so easy to swap anything or replace, if needed. Has better sights for accurate shooting at ranges I’d be using a .308 for. Fit into a standard Sage EBR chassis.

Scout won. I’d make the same choice again. Since I could only afford 1, I’m glad I got what I did. I honestly would buy another scout and set it up differently if I had the money rather than buy a SOCOM.

Posted: 12/19/2022 10:59:45 PM EDT

[#20]

I got a smoking deal (1200 bucks shipped with 3 mags and a cheap scope mount which I sold for 60 bucks) from PSA a few years ago, so it's what I have from the M1A line. I really like mine, and it's short and handy and the conventional stock and one piece receiver makes for a thinner rifle than say an AR10 or HK91, where the receiver is a lot taller.

In generally I think you get more bang for you bang with an 18" barrel in .308. For the extra few inches you get less blast and more velocity, and it's why when I was ordering a la carte from DS Arms for a FAL, I got an 18" model. But the SOCOM works fine too, and I like the rail mount on the barrel, which I'm not sure if the Scout has.

Posted: 2/1/2023 9:32:32 PM EDT

[#21]

I have a Socom in a Sage EBR Stock. It used to be the gun I used on the SERT team. I love my Socom, especially in the EBR. I would love to handle and shoot a Scout Squad beforeI make a final judgement. I love my two SAI rifles. My other is a basic M1A and I love this thing too.

Posted: 2/1/2023 10:10:36 PM EDT

[#22]

I had a scout squad and a socom. Ended up selling the scout and keeping the socom. It was just more fun and unique to me. I liken it to a mini 14 on steroids.

The tiger stripe stock I kept and it now resides on the socom.

Attached File

Posted: 2/26/2023 12:43:04 PM EDT

[#23]

i had a new scout and shot 10rnds out of it. it wasnt very accurate. bothered me enough that i sold it. neither was my gi SAI....4moa with ball ammo amd a 3-9 scope. my GI parts kits M1As with trw/winny barrels are quite accurate. i also handload now but i cant justify $1700 for a meh barrel sai. i actually have a criterion going onto a former 6.5 loaded m1a that should shoot extremely well.

i really really wish SAI would offer criterion barrel options from the factory.