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Posted: 6/28/2012 9:02:04 AM EDT
| I really want one of these and I am having a hard time resisting. Is there anything about this rifle you don't like??? Thanks. |
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The inaccuracy.
Socoms are not know to be tack drivers. Mine shoots about 4 MOA + which from what I read seems to be common. Honestly I have no use at all for a 4 MOA long gun. However I do plan to try switching the stock and/or bedding it. If I can get it close to 2 MOA I will be quite happy. |
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I have a SOCOM. I wish I had a scout. It's only a few inches longer, and the biggest thing for me is the scout front end uses standard M14 parts, which makes it much easier and cheaper when it comes to changing out the sights. I hated the stock socom sights, useless beyond 50 yards. At 100 yards the brick they used for a front sight completely covers an 8" bullseye. The sights are good for CQB type shooting only in my opinion (which is what the gun is designed for). I switched to a NM tall sight that comes on the Scout(which you have to call Springfield to order), and a standard GI rear aperature and it's MUCH better now. Springfield will tell you this doesn't work and try to talk you out of it, but believe me enough of us have done it with no problem. WOrst case scenario if you're still shooting high with the rear bottomed out, you can relieve the bottom of the rear aperature slide and get a few more clicks down.
Read up on m14tfl.com before you decide. If you want to take the time to learn how the gun works, you can really improve accuracy. My SOCOM was printing about 4 MOA with surplus ammo at 100 yards before I started messing with it. Switched to Sadlak NM spring guide and piston, shim the gas system (for $10 this makes a HUGE difference if your GS is loose like most come from the factory), relieve handguard, polish front band, etc, there are several things you can do for cheap or free that really help. It is consistently 2 MOA with nato surplus now, and close to 1 MOA with Federal Gold Medal Match 168. TAP 110's work great in the short barrel also. I was lucky that my Socom was built in 07 and had some USGI parts - trigger group, fiberglass stock, gas cylinder, etc. The new ones come in a cheap plastic stock that should be tossed if you have any hopes for accuracy. Get a USGI fiberglass or wood stock and half the battle is won. The Socom fell in my lap for $400 so I couldn't pass it up, that's the only reason I have it instead of a scout. You should change the extractor to a USGI, lots of reports of SAI extractors breaking, but that's easy and you can get a genuine USGI from treeline for about $30. I replaced all the bolt guts in mine with USGI just for the hell of it, but the extractor is the main issue. Forget about using the forward optics mount. I've seen mine turn cherry red shooting at night during a class. I don't know if that would destroy an optic, but I didnt want to find out the hard way. Even if you're not using it, take it off an get a standard handguard because it WILL burn the piss out of you. The socom is a great and fun rifle, it just depends on what your expectations are. Mine has been 100% reliable. Even if you get a 5-6 MOA gun from the factory, with good ammo you can get it down to 1-2 MOA as I described very easily, and I had a lot of fun learning how it works and seeing the results of my mods on paper. SAI is well known for excellent customer service, so on the remote chance you had a functional problem I am very confident that they will take care of you. |
| 4 moa? what distance are you shooting. i have a leupold scout scope on mine and i can easily do 1 moa at 100 and 1-2 at 200. no i wouldnt call it a precision rifle per-say but with good ammo and scope the gun does fine. with the 16inch barrel the biggest thing you lose is some velocity but mine will still drop a pig with no problems. the biggest issue with the socom for me is the insane muzzle blast. its not too bad shooting but that factory muzzle brake makes it suck for all standing to the left or right. |
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Yes, I forgot to mention the brake, another reason why I like the Scout better. The socom brake is very effective in taming muzzle rise/recoil, and if you like LOUD FIREBALLS it is fun. To change it out you have to buy the adapter from Smith, you're looking at I think $200 for the adapter and a vortex FH. BUT, if you do this, you can use any standard M14 front sight, so it kills 2 birds with one stone. If you put on the Smith adapter and a vortex, you are practically back at the length of the scout. I strongly recommend the scout over the socom if given the choice. All previously mentioned accuracy mods apply to the scout as well, but I think they have a better reputation for accuracy out of the box.
The Socom brake is helpful when you have some idiots near you at the range. Dump a mag out of the Socom, then I'll follow up with a few shots from my SW 500 4", that's enough to send most people packing. |
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Quoted:
Yes, I forgot to mention the brake, another reason why I like the Scout better. The socom brake is very effective in taming muzzle rise/recoil, and if you like LOUD FIREBALLS it is fun. To change it out you have to buy the adapter from Smith, you're looking at I think $200 for the adapter and a vortex FH. BUT, if you do this, you can use any standard M14 front sight, so it kills 2 birds with one stone. If you put on the Smith adapter and a vortex, you are practically back at the length of the scout. I strongly recommend the scout over the socom if given the choice. All previously mentioned accuracy mods apply to the scout as well, but I think they have a better reputation for accuracy out of the box. The Socom brake is helpful when you have some idiots near you at the range. Dump a mag out of the Socom, then I'll follow up with a few shots from my SW 500 4", that's enough to send most people packing. haha man when you mentioned that i couldnt help but laugh. i cant tell you how many times i got tired of someone showering me with hot brass at the range. a mag dump or 2 from the socom really does send them packing 80% of the time. |
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Quoted:
It seems that one could get the same performance from a 30 cal AK with about 1/3 of the cost of gun, mags, and ammo. What exactly is the point of a SOCOM? If you like the platform better than an AK....... If you reload for .308 and not 7.62 x 39.......... If you already have M14 mags........... If you already have extra M14 stocks.......... If you already have a TRW bolt laying around and might want to put it in something. Etc Etc. And you want something more handy and lighter than a fullsize M1A/M14,. I think it would be the point. On the other hand, you have a point. I've shot one and liked how it handled. I don't own one though. I think I might prefer a scout MORE though. But the socom has a very nice balance to it. |
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Quoted:
It seems that one could get the same performance from a 30 cal AK with about 1/3 of the cost of gun, mags, and ammo. What exactly is the point of a SOCOM? You would be correct if you shoot within 200 yards. 7.62x39 loses energy fast. Still more power out of a SOCOM than AK at any distance. |
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Quoted:
Are the Scout Squads any better? The Scout Squad is actually just an M1A-A1 Bush Rifle with the forward scope mount and a SA muzzle brake. Same 18 inch barrel, same 1-11 twist. I have an older M1A-A1 Bush Rifle and with good factory ammo I can get 1-2 moa if I do my part. I can get less than 1 moa with my handloads on a good day from the bench sandbagged with my Leuopold 3.5-10x50. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Are the Scout Squads any better? The Scout Squad is actually just an M1A-A1 Bush Rifle with the forward scope mount and a SA muzzle brake. Same 18 inch barrel, same 1-11 twist. I have an older M1A-A1 Bush Rifle and with good factory ammo I can get 1-2 moa if I do my part. I can get less than 1 moa with my handloads on a good day from the bench sandbagged with my Leuopold 3.5-10x50. Sounds like that''s what I need then. I have been searching for a semi auto 7.62x51 ever since I sold my AR-10 last year. Thanks. |
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