What are the Advantages/ Disadvantiges between these 2 M1A's

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What are the advantages/ disadvantages between these two guns? Or some feed back on people that have shot them. I'm not going to be shooting any long distances, so I'm thinking I don't need the long barrel, but I like the looks of the standard M1A

Standard M1A

SA9102Large_zps0d2efe4d.gif


SocomII

Springfield_Armory_M1A_Socom_II_Extended_Top_Rail_AA9629_A_zps83e8edeb.jpg
 
I'd say the obvious difference is that one is a classic military platform in its original configuration with a beautiful walnut stock as opposed to another polymer tacticool looking thing.
Also my friends Socom has the tendency to produce a good size fire flash with certain types of ammo.
Some people get off on that sort of thing.
My 2 c
 
socom!! load than hell, and muzzle flash is well huge with some ammo,,,,,but still I think mosin carbine gives off one of the best muzzle blasts.

Im a wood a steel type. I would go with #1 I couldnt tell you plus or minus one vs the other
 
I think avoid the Socom II at all costs - with that super-wide, way-too-heavy-for-it's-job rail ....thing - it's an ungainly abortive beast of a gun. If you want a smaller, easy to handle M1A, look at the scout squad. If you actually need some rail space, you can get a sling swivel rail from Fulton or something. So much the better if you don't.

A scout squad in a synthetic USGI type stock is a delight to handle.
A full length with irons isn't much worse.


edit - the commercial Springfield walnut stocks are pretty, but they're fat.
 
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I have a plain Jane m1a for a very long time.. No match anything. With good ammo it will out shoot my abilities every time. Ok, even with average ammo...
I can alway add NM whatever.

That said.. The socom adds a lot of weight with the doo dads. And as long as ou have a standard drop stock, using a scope sucks and you will need to add something for correct positioning. You're not gaining accuracy, you are loosing muzzle velocity..

But it is really sexy.

That said, I would still take my standard, wood stock.
 
Love my socom, hate the socom 2. The rail is ridiculous. I prefer a synthetic scout out of them all for the best overall just based on how versatile it is.

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Love my socom, hate the socom 2. The rail is ridiculous. I prefer a synthetic scout out of them all for the best overall just based on how versatile it is.
 
One wastes a ton of burning powder making fireballs and blast that impresses the range noobs....

If you want a hyper accurate 308 you may be better served by an AR10 or bolt action. However I love my M1A and wouldn't get rid of it for anything.
 
I won a Socom II and I like it. It does have some issues. 1st the stock it comes with is crap, but it is the same stock that comes on the full size, so unless you buy the wood stocked full size you will get the same plastic stock. you can easily swap out the plastic for wood. 2nd the XS sights suck. they are suppose to be QCB ready, but I find the peep to be too big and the post too thick. Again they swap out for Gi or NM sights.
As for the rails, It is a personal taste issue. I love the top rail system( all though some loads will hit the rail on ejection and jam the gun) the under rail I go back and forth on. It comes off easily with a quick release and does lock on solidly. If you shoot with gloves or use a foregrip or bipod it works nicely. If I am without gloves i will often pop it off and drop it in my bag.
As for the length, I find it MUCH easier to handle than a full size and I have not seen a real flash issue. But it is a loud little bastard.
 
I like the look of wood. And felt it better represented what the gun was. I love shooting mine just wish .308 was a little cheaper.
 
I have NM and no experience with the Socom. I like the wood just because I'm a purist when it comes to military style firearms
 
One wastes a ton of burning powder making fireballs and blast that impresses the range noobs....

Using this logic, I guess you could say the same thing about an M4 type or SBR AR-15 vs. a 20" AR-15.

The original SOCOM16 does not have the big fancy rail. It comes with a small rail for mounting an optic, if wanted. It is fun to shoot and pretty well balanced. Just like any rifle with different lengths, each version has its strengths and weaknesses. The shorter rifle is more maneuverable and not quite as accurate at long distances. The 16" M1A packs a lot of fire power in to a 16" rifle.
 
Using this logic, I guess you could say the same thing about an M4 type or SBR AR-15 vs. a 20" AR-15.

The original SOCOM16 does not have the big fancy rail. It comes with a small rail for mounting an optic, if wanted. It is fun to shoot and pretty well balanced. Just like any rifle with different lengths, each version has its strengths and weaknesses. The shorter rifle is more maneuverable and not quite as accurate at long distances. The 16" M1A packs a lot of fire power in to a 16" rifle.

Didn't say there was anything wrong with throwing fireballs, two of my favorites are the M44 and an M16 with a degroat. Accuracy on both of the M1As shown is usually better than the average shooter.

Both rifles are nice, just think that the personal wants are more important than any differences between either of the rifles. I like the full lengths but the current M1As the millitary is using in the EBR chassis are amazing looking.
 
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Accuracy on both of the M1As shown is usually better than the average shooter.

Both rifles are nice, just think that the personal wants are more important than any differences between either of the rifles. I like the full lengths but the current M1As the millitary is using in the EBR chassis are amazing looking.

Yes, I agree.
 
Thank you for all of your opinions, I like the traditional M1A better, but the problem is I have a Socom II new in the box sitting at my house. A friend of mine dropped off a bunch of guns for me to sell for him and this was one of them. I was trying to decide if I wanted this M1A because it's right here (among other guns that I want to keep too, I need more money)
 
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