M1A -- Scout Squad or SOCOM 16?

[supermanuf]

It's killing me. I've finally saved up the cash for one, and now I just can't decide between the two variants. I wanna hear from people who have fired both. And sure, I'd love to have both, but that's not gonna happen anytime soon. And no, I don't want a standard length, nor am I into the cheese-grater SOCOM 2.

Anyway, they fixed the alleged problems with the reworked gas system in the 16", and I doubt I'd EVER be shooting out past 200-300 yards anyway, so range isn't really an issue either.

Which one is more fun to shoot?

[p2rider426]

Scout Squad with walnut stock is a thing of wonder. Might as well get an AR10 for cheaper if you want a 16" barrel plastic gun.

[jeffrice6]

I have the Bush rifle, predecessor of the Scout & I couldn't be happier! There is something bout that 18" barrel that just makes it perfect! Of your two choices I'd say Scout hands down..... What you really should be asking yourself is Scout or Loaded!!!

[gunsmoke50]

Which is more fun to shoot? In base form, probably about equal. Everyone else at the range will prefer the Scout, I'm sure, if they're shooting next to you. The scout is going to be about four inches longer overall, but more stuff will fit it, as it's basically still a standard m1A as far as parts are concerned.

[missiontrails]

That platform is just not worth buying with a short barrel. 18" is still short, but between the two, the Scout Squad. The SOCOM 16's are 3MOA rifles from what I have heard.

[EvolutionGSR]

I've ways wanted the scout, even after the 16's came out. Id have it if the OLL thing never happened.

[H2O MAN]

Anyway, they fixed the alleged problems with the reworked gas system in the 16", and I doubt I'd EVER be shooting out past 200-300 yards anyway, so range isn't really an issue either.

Which one is more fun to shoot?

My 16" has SEI's SOCOM muzzle device kit and a 30cal Muzzle Brake #1005-SS
Both of my 18" MK14s have SEI's DC Vortex flash eliminators.

When all is said and done the 16" ends up being about 1/2 inch shorter than the 18" rifle when in the same rifle stock... there is no real advantage in buying the SOCOM.

My advice: go with the 18" barreled Bush, Scout or MK14.

[glockman19]

+1 for the scout

[gotshotgun?]

Scout it up!

[supermanuf]

This is what I needed to hear. Thanks guys!

[GUNFREAK]

It will make a big difference if you are going to run optics or just plain iron sights.

The SOCOM 16 has the tritium insert front sight and the ghost ring ring rear sight. These sights are equivalent to iron sights on a shotgun. They suck past 50 yards and aren't very precise. In fact you will have a hard time hitting a target consistently at 100 yards. Not due to the accuracy of the rifle but the sights are not designed to shoot out to that distance.

The Scout has the national match front post and the military rear aperture. Much better sight and you will get much better accuracy out of these .

[HK Dave]

Get the Scout, it's the more proven system. And as H2O man stated, theres not much of an advantage in terms of length.

The 16 does have the cool flip up shoulder thing... which I just don't ever see anyone actually using.

[geewizz]

Love my socom. No problem hitting targets out to 100 yards with iron sites. I always heard the muzzle break on the 16" was better than the scout. Have no interest in the scout. I would just move all the way up to the full size springfield for that matter. I do like the feel of the smaller rifle better with out a doubt but thats just me. Its a fun rifle to shot. Rapid fire one and have a blast. Plenty of video of guys online rapid firing the socoms. They look like their having fun. Still one of my favorite rifles. I've got a few.

[savasyn]

I've had a full sized for many years and just picked up a SOCOM this week. Took them out yesterday and to try a side by side comparo. The shorty is pretty fun to shoot actually. The recoil is tamed nicely by the weight and muzzle brake. The muzzle blast, however, is pretty extreme for anyone not right behind the gun.

My only complaint with it was that I couldn't get a consistent sight picture and only managed about 6" groups at 100 yards compared to a best of about 2.5" with the full sized. I'm thinking of swapping out the sights for normal ones rather than keep the fat tritium front and big ghost ring rear. I have no intention of shooting it at night anyway.

[mlevans66]

+1 for the scout. I used to pwn the SOCOM but traded for something else. In the back of my mind I always wanted the Scout.