A Socom for the Synthetic Stock. A better real world choice.
Joe R

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Joe R
A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 22:3

I did some research when I was into FAL rifles and the .308 round requires at least 18" of barrel minimum to burn all it's propellant. Anything shorter is just going to be louder, much more flash, and have less range. That being said, I would go with a bush or scout length M1A if I had to choose just one. But the SOCOM has its uses for CQC. I would grab the 16" for urban fighting where you are shooting 300 yards or less. .308 is a great penetrator and will shoot through walls easily with a 16" barrel. Just have hearing protection

Scout...

socom is too dayuum loud noisey,and I am not liking the sights....

I really like the way the SOCOM looks. I don't care for the SOCOM II however. The SOCOM also is very easy to handle despite the heft of the weapon and it feels good in the hand. I'm a little guy however at 5' 7" so it makes sense I'm more comfortable with it. As far as shooting goes, if I had a .308, I'd want it to do really well at distances . . any idea what the SOCOM's are shooting out of the box and also what the Scouts are shooting ? (MOA ?)

I have a Scom with about 300 rounds so far. It has a Eoteh Halo mounted and at 100 yards the best it hits is a 2.5" group. I am not real happy with the grouping and was thinking changing to a scout style scope. Not sure what others are getting. I may trade it in for a National Match.

2.5" wouldn't make me happy either. . . .hmmmm . . .

But on the other hand you are shooting with an EOTECH...I'm sure if you went to a better optic you'd see much improvement. . .

I have a SOCOM as well. It's not bad. I actually like it, but if I wanted a well rounded rifle I would go with the Scout. I traded my dad a garand and an ak variant for the socom 16. An eo-tech sits way too high for an M1A. I personally enjoy my leupold VX-R 2-7x with the fire dot. I picked it up around the same price. It may be within a $50-100 of an holo or aimpoint. I bought mine from midwayusa for $450.
I have my scope mounted on an extended VLTOR rail... it's better that the SOCOM II IMO because of weight and I don't want a hand grip.
Problems with the SOCOM is that it creates a huge fireball! the trigger is nice but it's etchier than an m1 garand. it's almost too easy to squeeze two rounds when you meant to fire one at a time. It is accurate to 250-300 yards, but I wouldn't rely on it further than that.
I haven't tried the scout rifle, but I still think it's a better rifle. I won't get rid of my SOCOM, but i'd much prefer the Scout.
This is just my opinion. I'm sure there are people out there that would disagree.
-Paul

I going to remove the Eotech and install it on my Ar 15 as a quick shot 1 o'clock position. Then go with a scope on the SOCOM. will go with a VX-R 2-7 or 3-9. Installed a 3-9 on my AR with my eyesight getting worse the extra power helps see the bulls eye out at 300 yards.
Can you provide a source for the VLTOR extended rail you used?

Scout for reasons already pointed out. I just think its one of the best if not the best all-around (price factored) M1A build.

Yep, the Scout Squad in wood is my next rifle purchase. Throw on an SEI Good Iron brake, a 2-7x32 LER scope with Warne QD rings, and I'll be set. Until I decide to upgrade to NM sights...

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