I shoot 2- 16" AR's for competition, and they work fine to 600. Seems like the supporters of this gun are supporters of the m14 not SA M-1A. The Leupold scope features a one- inch tube made from 6061-T6 aluminum, with 14 MOA finger click adjustments, fast-focus eyepiece, and 15 inches of eye relief. I was getting better grouping with my shotgun at 100 yards. TURN IN YOUR MAN CARD AND GET CUT!! Had same issues as your video. Springfield then mounted optics to the rifles using a 4th Gen Steel Receiver mount and tested them thusly. Voodoo Tactical makes a variety of outstanding tactical gear, including an excellent backpack/range bag/ drag bag. Wonderful rifle gives me lots of headaches on my reloading if I was more into people knowing or I lived and who I was I do a video on it myself but I try to stay to myself. The idea behind the M1A SOCOM 16 was to provide 7.6251 capabilities in a smaller, shorter and lighter package than the full-size M1A. Have adequate ventilation at all times. the comments video they made for this review is a must watch! Winchester's PDX1 Defender 120-gr. Never owned a rifle that after i learned it that didn't shoot well. Best marksman rifle or 10 MOA monster? If there is anything you do not understand, seek advice from someone qualified in safe handling of firearms. They sent it back saying they recrowned the barrel and replaced the gas block on the end of the barrel. Finger in the trigger guardpush forward, safety is offpull finger back and fire. WebThe SOCOM 16 put three shots into about two inches, with the other two shots opening the group up to about ten inches using the Hornady Steel Match ammo. Formal accuracy testing was conducted at 100 yards using the Vortex red-dot optic to shoot five 5-shot groups with 10 rounds fired to check velocity. The AK looks like a wave of motion. On paper, mission accomplished! Their customer service was excellent, but I still have my doubts about the rifle. A variety of loads are available in the 250 to 600-grain range. It is heavy and was a chore for me to shoulder in offhand but it shot sub 1 (and smaller) groups consistently. Considering that you have folks claiming that these are sub MOA guns at 1,000 yards with irons on one side of the debate, and uhhhhh some nerd that wont shutup about how the US should have adopted the FAL over the M14 on the other. I do not waste my time going for groups with 40+ year old Spanish surplus ammo. After some internet research I determine that the rear sight spring was not fitted properly. Again we totally accept that we are by no means amazing shooters, but this shouldnt be that hard. it did not take too much work to get a group about 1.25 inches at 100 yards. The Scout, on the other hand, has an even shorter barrel and an effective range of only 300 yards. That little extra recoil, noise, and muzzle rise the SOCOM 16 offers make it damn enjoyable to shoot. Caldwell Lead Sled at 100 Yards! That being said, we used the M14 for drill and ceremony purposes and I had a desire to purchase one. ), but tank tops were not standard issue in RVN. .308 WIN MSRP $1,942 - $2,087 As time moved on, the market became more and more interested in smaller, lighter and more compact firearms. WebIn my opinion, 200 yards is this rifle's practical hunting range. I think this gun in the hands of a good shooter is easily a sub MOA gun. I first used the M1A when I was assigned to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit #1 in Fort Meade, Maryland. Ive seen more bad reviews than good on socom 16 version. This review saved me from being hugely disappointed. The fact its ambi is a plus too. I would actually prefer a selector switch similar to the AR platform for that sole feature. No shucking or jiving here. It never failed me, shot 1/2 M.O.A. WebThe Sportsman's Shop 7.47K subscribers In this video we take a close look into the Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM 16 Rifle! Not to mention noone our age at least ( I'm a 60 model) had the $ for one of those things, not when you could buy a 69 340 Barracuda for $800! After a few mags, we decided to setup a shooting mat and rest to take some prone shots with an optic mounted to the SOC16s scout mount to see if the irons themselves were just inexplicably way off. I am an ageing Marine infantryman that trained on an A2 service rifle. Re: AR15 16" maximum effective range A 16" AR can get you to 1K with a 1:8 or 1:7 twist barrel with the 75+ grain bullets (maybe 68 grain BTHP). Product prices mentioned in articles and videos are current as of the date of publication. I had no problems consistently pinging my IDPA torsos at 200 and 300 yards. The ABM came in a little tighter, producing five-shot groups of about 212 inches at 100 yards. It also has some unique features. Select what level shooter you are! Springfields techs looked the guns over and purportedly found zero issues with any aspect of them. Adjustment graduations on the rear sight drum are 1 MOA for both windage and elevation. My love affair with a 308 as lasted my lifetime. The primary complaints were fragile receivers, malformed bolts, poor accuracy, and instability during automatic fire. I have found on paper and in hands are not always synonymous. One thing that might be useful for folks is that I found certain bullet weights to be more consistent than others. The Scout, on the other hand, has an even shorter barrel and an effective range of only 300 yards. Best to use the sadlak gas block wrench, and first time around, I had to use an extension on it. THEN YOU ARE A SUCKASS SHOOTER!! Drew of Beyond Seclusion earned both his bachelor of science in nursing and his master of science in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Nothing to do with what wounds are caused at that range, the assumption is if In both tactical and traditional forms, the SOCOM 16 will answer your call for a compact tactical rifle without sacrificing power. And while the M14 may have left service as the primary rifle for the U.S. military relatively quickly, the spirit of the design has lived on with the M1A, introduced by Geneseo, Illinois Springfield Armory in 1974 and it was an immediate hit. Next you can upgrade your stock and that choice can be made from a wide range of stocks. Designed specifically for the 9mm cartridge, the EMP features shorter dimensions making it one of the smallest 1911s out there. The official name of Proposition 65 is the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. I have zero issues with the ergonomics of the M1A. Since this rifle/scope combination is not designed for match shooting, I decided to use a Q target for 100 yards and a B17 silhouette for 300-yard duty. This was a great review. Got a sadlak guide rod and piston in it, and of my 18 guns, this one's my baby. As you can see the shot placement was all over the place. anything extra and your The match-grade tuned two-stage trigger breaks like glass at between 5 and 6 lbs. Some units still had access to M-14s and began using them on the battlefield. You can't swap any parts between two different rifles. And check out the Best .308 Ammo, Best AR-10s, and Best 7.6251 Battle Rifles. I dont like the socom version, Just the match M1A and of course, the super match M1A. The M1A is an older design that still ranks at the top in my opinion. Straight up no BS. John, Againhighly recommend you check out the video so you can see everything in motion. I shoot 2- 16" AR's for competition, and they work fine to 600. We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared I still wonder what is going on with the rifles you reviewed. In my opinion, if you want accuracy, stick with a bolt action rifle like a Remington 700 with a ported barrel. All rights reserved. I run custom load serria match kings but xm118lr would have ran beautifully I used them in mine before I had my custom loads going for it much more stable in the heat than the 168g. The M1A was a huge hit with the competition and long-range shooting enthusiasts, as it is known for its reliability and accuracy. Firing the rifle off the bench was pleasant with all ammo, despite the additional blast of the muzzle brake and not having the assist of a cheek rest. I just find it interesting and completely different from my experience with this rifle. Guns that are a nod to the past are definitely a blast to own and shoot, and if youre considering purchasing an M1A, wed imagine its likely because you have some sort of sentimental or historical interest in the rifle not because youre looking for something thats going to outperform an AR-10. (Lucky bastids) As a kid from Texas this was a day doing one of my favorite things with a new rifle thrown in to boot. have shot 98/100 in NRA Match prone with it. WebThe Springfield Armory M1A is a semi-automatic rifle made by Springfield Armory, Inc., beginning in 1971, based on the M14 rifle, for the civilian and law enforcement markets in the United States. I had one day where the recoil impulse on my third shot made me think I had a squib round. also deserves a nod for flexibility. Finger off the trigger but posted on the trigger guard. Also, as the immediate need for longer-range S.D.M. the first two range trips were awful, the third range trip you guys did manage to get 1.5 and 2 MOA from the two rifle variants. Which was enough for me, Im not gonna buy a rifle at that price that has a 1:5 good:bad honest review ratio. Unfortunately, we still werent getting great results, and the forward-mounted Picatinny rail on the SOC16 means that youre essentially relegated to scout scopes with good eye relief. The SOC16 is obviously a bit more compact and includes a 16 barrel in a black polymer stock with the iconic SOC16 muzzle brake upfront. I think now what Im seeing is more like an average typical Springfield m1a. Also had a 1911 from them where the front sight fell right off as I was shooting and the finish so thin it rusted in my leather holster. Great rifle, just takes skill and practice to know how to shoot them. That seems like very poor quality control with no recalls, even though many people are having similar problems. I'll say, nerd or not. parts until Springfield Armory, Inc. began I know the debate about whether it's ok to use both in a rifle chambered for one or the other, but the fact that these are both 7.62 tells me you should use that if you're testing accuracy. This multi-function case features multiple pouches for range books, ammo, cleaning kits, spotting scope, and other gear. That said, there has also been quite a bit of chamber variation over the years which necessitates handloading brass which has been fire formed to a specific chamber and carefully checked for case stretching to obtain top accuracy. The Standard Issue M1A is a faithful semi-auto recreation of the original M14. The TRP is based off the custom Professional Model HRT 1911 developed by Springfield Armory for the FBI. WebThe SOCOM 16 put three shots into about two inches, with the other two shots opening the group up to about ten inches using the Hornady Steel Match ammo. Very surprised by your experience with the platform. Recoil is minimal for the 7.62 NATO and, honestly, I really cant tell the difference between shooting this and my full-size M1A Loaded. Another thing- for me the ability to reload straight into an empty gun with stripper clips is a huge plus. I own an ex military Winchester made M14 and like everyone else pretty well has commented its a very accurate rifle. I had been interested in the SOCOM version, but decided against it due to the shorter barrel length (16 inch) being a little more inefficient with the .308 WIN cartridge. Early M1A rifles were built with surplus G.I. WebIn both tactical and traditional forms, the SOCOM 16 will answer your call for a compact tactical rifle without sacrificing power. I hope the buyers of those toys realize that is a high price to pay for implied accuracy. I think it balances a bit better, and I liked the sights on the Scout much better than the Socom. As I was finishing my military career, the M16 was just coming online in competitive circles and were giving the M14/M1A a run for the money. On a SOCOM 16 features a forward-mounted optic rail in the Effective maximum range is under 100 yards. With the Vortex optics mounted we were now shooting about 1.5MOA out of the National Match, and ~2 MOA out of the SOC 16 using 168gr Gold Medal Match ammo. I had both the Scout and the Socom 16, and I liked the Scout better, so I kept it. As someone who shot the M14 both in training and in combat ( "nam 1966), I had complete faith in and grew to love it. Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM 1450 at Palmetto State Armory Prices accurate at time of writing View Details Palmetto State Armory (See Price) Sportsman's Warehouse (See Price) What weight bullet are you using? Needless to say the Marines don't like it when Navy guys out shoot them. Good shooters will no doubt stretch that a lot, with high BC bullets, but big game is way different than steel gongs. It is impossible to operate in a straight-line motion, without side loading the handle, with a scope that overhangs the handle. Now you should do a head to head comparison of both the Springfield Armory M1A and the DSA made FAL. It's not uncommon to see .308s with barrels from 18" to 22" long, so I broke out the trusty Lab Radar chronograph to see how much velocity the relatively short 16.25" barrel would preserve. This summer I had about 3 witnesses who after I walked away from the line could not believe I could strike the gong consistently at that distance with only military iron sights.. NOT bragging but this was with iron std sights and surplus ammo that was at least 40 yrs old. I've had an M1A for about 11 years now and had zero problems with achieving acceptable levels of accuracy that are comparable to other rifles that I own. I love the aesthetics of the M1 and M14 rifles but they are from a bygone era and it shows. I believe now that my shirt bunched up and the rifle may have slid while prone. Proposition 65 requires California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. As far as quick target acquisition, it doesnt get much faster. SpecificationsManufacturer: Springfield ArmoryModel: M1A AA9611PK CQB Close-Quarters CombatAction: Gas-Piston Operated Semi-Automatic with Rotating BoltCaliber: 7.62 NATO/.308 Win.Finish: Parkerized SteelStock: Archangel Synthetic 5 Position CQB with Adjustable Cheek Piece, BlackBarrel: Medium Profile Parkerized Carbon SteelMuzzle: SOCOM Muzzle BrakeFront Sight: XS Sight Systems Post with Tritium Insert, .125" Blade FrontRear Sight: Ghost Ring Adjustable, .135" ApertureOptic: Vortex Optics Venom 3 MOA Red DotOptic Mount: Springfield Armory Clip Guide Red-Dot MountBarrel Length: 16.25"Overall Length: 35.5" - 38.5"Length Of Pull (LOP): 11.5" - 14.5"Weight: 9 lbs. Was mercury in retrograde? Sorry, an error occurred and we could not sign you up. I totally enjoy your video on this every time I see it! Ive also owned a standard M1A and really couldnt tell any difference. I have recently purchased a new m1a socom , it shots terrible groups at 100 yds with a scope, it shoots 5"-8" groups, have shot numerous different types of store bought ammo & hand loaded ammo , I sent it back to springfield , they agreed it had a problem , kept it for 7 weeks & sent it back , said it was down t0 2" groups , but it still continues to shoot terrible , it will shoot 2 or 3 touching every once in awhile, and then send one 6"- 8" off , gonna send it back again. Again, obviously much better than the results that we were getting in the two different times we shot the guns previously. Ive been using this spotting scope for some time, and it really helps locate those small holes at extended ranges. Sporting a short 16.25 barrel and shortened gas system, the SOCOM 16 features a forward mounted scout mount rail for an optic. The M1A, obviously a civilian variant of the iconic M14, fits squarely in that niche you can check our full video over on our YouTube Channel! Im not going to recite everything Duckford said but, the dude is on the mark The muzzle brake on the M1A SOCOM 16 offers exceptional performance with a minimal footprint. I purchased a SOCOM 16 in 2010 and my first outing with it, I found the sights hardly needed to be adjusted. If you keep a loaded firearm where a child obtains and improperly uses it, you may be fined or sent to prison. Some units still had access to M-14s and began using them on the battlefield. There are some things that need to be improved like replacing the spring guide $35-$40.00) and the guide spring ($35.00) both from (Sadlak Inc.) acquire at the same time this will improve your groups somewhat. (Not available on M1A Tanker). After the Marines, I sold my 'Super Match' equivalent that was hand built by a former USMC Armorer back in California (like in 1990). I have shot quite a few m1a rifles and all with decent ammo would shout 1.5moa precision with .75moa accuracy. Interesting review and a bummer about your results. It will amplify any inconsistency. In the plastic stock, shooting 150 imi, this gun was disappointing, but switching to a boyds thicker than GI walnut and bedding it made a huge difference, as well az tuning the gas block which seems to come severely overtightened from the factory. Leupold VX-III 2.5x8x36mm scope is a great choice for shooting rifle at extended ranges. - YouTube 0:00 / 9:27 Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM 16 Accuracy Test. M1A SOCOM 16 Options Best Red Dot for M1A. I'd love to own either but I have better stuff to spend 12-1500 bucks on unless I can find someone else to pay my rent for me (any volunteers?). All rights reserved. I have to say I absolutely love my M1A Scout. The barrel also comes from the Springfield factory with a muzzle brake that controls muzzle rise effectively by sending most of the gas and blast upwards. The swell of the rifles stock also creates a fulcrum point around your hand itself. Totally different way of handling the M-14/M1A platform (DuckDuckGo / G*^%&e Sage Stocks and you will see what I mean). The next time I got the opportunity to see what a great rifle the M1A/M14 is, I was attending the Army National Match Gunsmithing Course at Rock Is- land Arsenal. Back off one turn on the gas cylinder lock. One thing I really like about the safety on the m14/M1A is that if you forget that the safety is on and put your finger on the trigger (which of course should only be done if youre about to fire) your knuckle will hit the safety inside the trigger guard as an instant reminder that the gun is in fact NOT ready to fire. I learned to solve these issues. Because of the op-rod placement, youre likely going to have to jump your support hand out way further than what feels natural if youre used to firing modern carbines otherwise, youll be in for quite a shitty surprise when the gun bites you. I have a Scout Squad and it is accurate enough for its intended purpose, hog hunting. Sorry to break the bad news to you but it is not the rifle. It passed its bench checks with flying colors and went on to perform admirably at the shooting range. That being said seems like Springfield armory is the issue. I bought a new rear sight cover from Franklin and assembled and the thing shoots like a monster now. Even the lightest .458 SOCOM round is more than three times heavier than the M855 round. I also had a lot of FTEs using Federal Match ammo. Try adjusting your selection. This is what it comes down to with a m1a, shooter, then rounds, then trigger, then making sure all mounts are secure if if scoped. All with tons of pictures, video, and groups. Subscribe and turn on notifications to be the first to know when we release new firearms. The vaunted mid 20th century designed AR15 is over 60 years old, and only 25 years younger than the "antique" Garand design. They were all accuracy problems, every stinking one. The SOC16 is obviously a bit more compact and includes a 16 barrel in a black polymer stock with the iconic SOC16 muzzle brake upfront. That being said, I really wish it lived up to its name as the rifle feels really good in hand. lighter than the target model. Oops, there's been an error. It was an amazing piece of machinery. Its long and respected battlefield heritage has been preserved and enhanced for the needs of today's military and law enforcement personnel.