Your opinion on the SOCOM II

[illbits]

I've been dreaming of selling my soul for a SOCOM II in .308 for quite some time now. I'd love to hear some opinions about this gun from those who've had some experience with it (and I imagine I'll hear a few from some who have not). Impressions?

[Hobotorium]

I've heard from disappointed buyers on other forums they have issues with the shortened barrel...accuracy is crap. For the price I don't think it's worth it. They really do look cool though!

[FJ540]

Am I missing something? It looks like a M14 with a bunch of rails stuck all over it.

[Hobotorium]

Am I missing something? It looks like a M14 with a bunch of rails stuck all over it.

Shortened barrel but otherwise yeah. It's tacticlol ready for all the bust em cqb operators needs...

[farmerj]

how fun can it be to have a full power 30 cal high power rifle in a carbine barrel.

I like my full size M14 for a reason. Don't think I could justify having a 6" shorter barrel on it.

[illbits]

Sounds like the consensus is I would be happier with an M1A with a 22" barrel.

[DeanC]

Sounds like the consensus is I would be happier with an M1A with a 22" barrel.

If you are actually going to shoot it, yes. If you just want to blast a couple rounds off at the 50 yard range and show your buddies how cool you are, get the SOCOM II and hang a bunch of crap off the rails.

[Bessy]

Wow, lots of hate above, well here's an opinion from some one who owns a fullsize and has shot the 16inch version.
The 16 handles much much better than a fullsize. If I had to run a 3 gun comp I'd take the 16 in a heart beat.
The 16 accuracy is just fine, it can hit one of sigfan220's plates at 200 yards with irons, the barrel does tend to heat up quick, and when it does your groups may walk, keep that in mind. If I had a choice between the 16 inch socom and the 18 inch scout, I'd take the scout, but that's my personal preference. All those rails won't make you a better shooter , I'd go with a original socom over the socom II but that's just me.

[illbits]

Wow, lots of hate above, well here's an opinion from some one who owns a fullsize and has shot the 16inch version.
The 16 handles much much better than a fullsize. If I had to run a 3 gun comp I'd take the 16 in a heart beat.
The 16 accuracy is just fine, it can hit one of sigfan220's plates at 200 yards with irons, the barrel does tend to heat up quick, and when it does your groups may walk, keep that in mind. If I had a choice between the 16 inch socom and the 18 inch scout, I'd take the scout, but that's my personal preference. All those rails won't make you a better shooter , I'd go with a original socom over the socom II but that's just me.

Thanks Bessy, I'm in agreement. Looking for a good price on a scout squad now. Missed a chance to get NIB Scout squad on gunbroker for about $1375 but I'm gonna bide my time to try to find a slightly lower price. I would like to get a brand new piece so I have an opportunity to break the barrel in properly and baby it from day one.

I was hesitant to even post this thread because I knew it would inspire a lot of negativity. The Socom II was recommended to me by a friend who makes a living as a sharp shooter. I could give a **** LESS if somebody thinks I'm just trying to be cool or whatever. The gun is for my enjoyment and as far as I'm concerned the more people enjoying guns the better. Just found a great site for m14 enthusiasts last night, http://www.m14tfl.com and I think this will be a great place to get the in depth answers I'm really looking for in this department.

[Bessy]

I would like to get a brand new piece so I have an opportunity to break the barrel in properly and baby it from day one.

Unless you are talking about a stainless match version of the 14, I don't think proper barrel break will matter one way or another. I do understand your desire to own a new gun, and have a good understanding/control of it's history. Good luck on your hunt sir.

[justaguy]

I was hesitant to even post this thread because I knew it would inspire a lot of negativity. The Socom II was recommended to me by a friend who makes a living as a sharp shooter. I could give a **** LESS if somebody thinks I'm just trying to be cool or whatever. The gun is for my enjoyment and as far as I'm concerned the more people enjoying guns the better. Just found a great site for m14 enthusiasts last night, http://www.m14tfl.com and I think this will be a great place to get the in depth answers I'm really looking for in this department.

When you ask for peoples opinion dont get pissed when they give it to you.

I say, why not people rock 7 in .223's?

[Bessy]

I was hesitant to even post this thread because I knew it would inspire a lot of negativity. The Socom II was recommended to me by a friend who makes a living as a sharp shooter. I could give a **** LESS if somebody thinks I'm just trying to be cool or whatever. The gun is for my enjoyment and as far as I'm concerned the more people enjoying guns the better. Just found a great site for m14 enthusiasts last night, http://www.m14tfl.com and I think this will be a great place to get the in depth answers I'm really looking for in this department.

When you ask for peoples opinion dont get pissed when they give it to you.

I say, why not people rock 7 in .223's?

I don't know... the guy asks a question and people give him the mall ninja treatment.. I know it's all in good fun and pretty much SOP on this forum, but I could see why he would get touchy. Especially when the resident liberal hipster (dean loves it when people call him a liberal hipster... LOVES IT.... )infers he's a mallninja.

[FJ540]

Sorry, I wasn't meaning to be condescending when I stated what it appeared to be.

I personally hate accessory rails on anything. They're bigger than a normal grip, and they end up weighing more than a normal grip after you cover them in rubber pads to make them feel like a normal grip. There's a few people in the world who could really use a place to mount an aux laser, flashlight, grenade launcher, vertical grip, blender, and washing machine - but I don't know too many of them in the civilian world. If that's your thing, that's cool.

If you want one, get one.

[DeanC]

The 16 handles much much better than a fullsize.

Of course

If I had to run a 3 gun comp I'd take the 16 in a heart beat.

I can see that from a handling perspective, but why not just use a .223 if you want a short barrel?

The 16 accuracy is just fine, it can hit one of sigfan220's plates at 200 yards with irons

How big is the plate?

I just don't see any reason to waste all the powder and potential of a .308 on a 16" barrel. Not to mention the butchering of a classic firearm. And no, I don't like 3" 1911's either.

[FJ540]

16" barrel .308 will go clear through a 12" pine tree (alive and growing) at 100 yds and leave the jacket on the other side with the lead nowhere to be found.

It does flash a lot, and I agree it's probably down a couple hundred FPS from an 18" barrel, but it's by no means a .223 equivalent at the resulting velocity.