medved11 71 Posted October 28, 2015 I'm considering picking up an M1a and I'm trying to decide between the Scout/Squad and the SOCOM 16 (not the SOCOM II). Comparing them side by side, it looks like you get more for your money with the Scout/Squad; however, this is going to be more of a range toy for me, so I'm kind of drawn to the SOCOM 16. I've read that the larger front sight blade of the SOCOM makes shooting beyond 200 yards a bit problematic, but I don't realistically see myself using this past that mark Can any of you guys that have either (or both) of these models give me some pros and cons of each model? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted October 28, 2015 Buy an FAL But really... I would go with a wood M1A with the full length barrel. It's not much longer than a Scout/Squad and it's not as obnoxious as the SOCOM 16. Do you want to deck it out with crazy setups? Or keep it mostly stock? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,877 Posted October 28, 2015 I've always been a fan of the SOCOM 16. If I could afford to get a M1A, it would be the SOCOM 16. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad G 345 Posted October 28, 2015 I know people who own them but I don't know people who shoot them a lot. That should be a hint. I would suggest that if you really want a compact .308 semiauto look at the AR's and FALs out there. If you really want a M1A I would look at the full size ones, they are probably better rifles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medved11 71 Posted October 28, 2015 I want to keep it mostly stock - at most I might get a red dot scope Buy an FAL But really... I would go with a wood M1A with the full length barrel. It's not much longer than a Scout/Squad and it's not as obnoxious as the SOCOM 16. Do you want to deck it out with crazy setups? Or keep it mostly stock? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medved11 71 Posted October 28, 2015 Just curious - do you think that lack of use due to ammo cost or felt recoil (not an issue for me really - I'm not all that recoil sensitive)? I know people who own them but I don't know people who shoot them a lot. That should be a hint. I would suggest that if you really want a compact .308 semiauto look at the AR's and FALs out there. If you really want a M1A I would look at the full size ones, they are probably better rifles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad G 345 Posted October 28, 2015 I dunno, I didn't ask them, but my guess is because they are not very good guns. What I mean is that they are not particularly accurate, and they are not particularly ergonomic. We live in a world where you can buy 1moa .308 semi auto guns for less money and which are more ergonomic. Personally I think the M1A platform is overrated and it doesn't really have a place anymore, but that is me. I do agree that the M1A is one the most beautiful 308 rifles, and from that point of view I lust over them, specially the long barreled wood stocked versions. If you just like them, and you have reasonable expectations about their accuracy, I don't think there is anything wrong with them, they are just not my thing. I would go with the 18" barrel version between the two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,877 Posted October 28, 2015 I shot Lunker's M1A Scout Squad - was ringing brass with irons @ 200 with my blind self. It's accurate enough. But honestly for the price, you could get something else in .308 and be just as accurate or more... I still love the look of the SOC16 though... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted October 28, 2015 Scout for me, SOCOM16 punishing on the firing line. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raz-0 1,259 Posted October 28, 2015 The socom 16 handles nicely ignoring the M1A manual of arms. In terms of recoil, trigger, muzzle rise, for a .308 it is nice. I wouldn't buy either unless it was a serious deal though. The tilting mag insert and the garand thumb operating procedure combined with the price is just not worth it IMO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
El_Mal90 0 Posted October 28, 2015 I have the full length wood loaded model, and I love it. Recoil isn't that bad at all. I got mine for a decent price, and shoot it all the time. But to each his own. If you're looking for something compact in .308 I'd do what Vlad said and look at an AR or FAL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Mack 5 Posted October 28, 2015 Scout for me as well. I also don't shoot it that much but that's not for any particular reason. I find it to be extreamly accurate and durable. I just personally enjoy the M14 platform, looks and history. If you like the gun and you have the mula to burn, go for it. There definitely very fun to shoot. If your looking for something more "modern day effective" per say then look elsewhere. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medved11 71 Posted October 29, 2015 I've looked at the more modern .308 rifles like the AR-10, but I'm thinking that I want to try something a little more "traditional" semi-automatic and less "tactical" this time around. I'm not being critical of the tactical guns, but I'm looking for something "different" in .308 besides a bolt gun or an AR style rifle; this is what lead me to the M1a. At this point, I've got my finger hovering over the "buy" button for a Scout/Squad in walnut; however, I'm not going to hit the button until I do just a little more research, so let me know if you guys can suggest any other "traditional" semi-auto .308 options that I should check out before I make my final choice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad G 345 Posted October 29, 2015 What is the purpose? What do you plan to do with this semi-auto 308? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medved11 71 Posted October 29, 2015 What is the purpose? What do you plan to do with this semi-auto 308? It's primarily going to be a range gun (200 yards and closer) - I want to leave it mostly stock with the exception of maybe putting a red dot scope on it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatty 241 Posted October 29, 2015 there are always the PTR/HK91 clones or FAL clones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted October 29, 2015 It's primarily going to be a range gun (200 yards and closer) - I want to leave it mostly stock with the exception of maybe putting a red dot scope on it. For that purpose, get the 20" version and call it a day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Golf battery 1,223 Posted October 29, 2015 I have the socom 16 and loaded m1a with trigger work and hooded rear sight. I always thought the socom looked bad ass and a good idea for the m1a platform. The socom friggin hurts to shoot after a while and my m1a i can probably shoot all day. 300yd targets with my m1a is no problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,877 Posted October 29, 2015 The socom friggin hurts to shoot after a while Physically? or is it just the concussion because of the shorter barrel and muzzle brake? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medved11 71 Posted October 30, 2015 I was wondering the same thing about the SOCOM... Physically? or is it just the concussion because of the shorter barrel and muzzle brake? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted October 30, 2015 there are always the PTR/HK91 clones or FAL clones. Agreed. Much better weapons IMO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted October 30, 2015 Physically? or is it just the concussion because of the shorter barrel and muzzle brake? Pretty much all of the above. That muzzle brake is a brute. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medved11 71 Posted October 30, 2015 I've got a PTR already and like it - I'm just looking for another .308 semi that's not an AR type rifle Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad G 345 Posted October 30, 2015 Saiga? BAR? R1? Rem 750? FNAR? SCAR? Super VEPR? 308 Garand? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medved11 71 Posted October 30, 2015 Pretty much all of the above. That muzzle brake is a brute. I've read that the Good Iron Coast Guard muzzle brake is supposed to be a good solution for the SOCOM kick. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,877 Posted October 30, 2015 FNAR 308 (Not an AR style) Kel-Tec RFB SCAR-17 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Golf battery 1,223 Posted October 30, 2015 Yes physically it pounds the hell out of your shoulder. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted October 30, 2015 I've got a PTR already and like it - I'm just looking for another .308 semi that's not an AR type rifle Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Go FAL then. Or go Full Size M1A Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tattooo 220 Posted October 30, 2015 +1 on a FAL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot 358 Posted October 30, 2015 M1A scout/squad/socom if you want to let everyone know at the range you have money and taste and don't mind paying double for mags and accessories. Otherwise FAL. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites