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I bought a SOCOM 16 and was thoroughly disgusted with it. It functions fine, but it doesn't group, it patterns. Unless you are using national match ammo, it shoots 5 inch patterns at 100 yds. I sent it back, they recrowned the barrel, fired a barely 3" group off a machine rest with Federal National Match 168 gr. and sent it back to me saying it now met their specifications.

Maybe 16 inches is too short for that round with the twist of the barrel? All I know is that I could have spent a third less money and bought an AR or maybe even one of the .308 AR variants and gotten a better shooting gun.

I carry an M-4 for work and even my of the rack M-4 with a 16 inch barrel and an EOTech (a damn CQB sight) shoots better unsupported than that SOCOM off a bench.

My recommendation would be to maybe look for a guy that is down on his luck and wants to unload a lightly used rifle that you can try out. Go at least 18 inches on the M1A. The Navy got away with cutting down their barrels when they put them in the Sage stocks, but I think they went to 20". Not sure on that.

I also just got to shoot a 16 inch SCAR in .308 and mama mia was that nice. The one I shot had a fairly high end ELCAN sight on it which was pretty sweet. Things I like about it is that the controls are ambidextrous, and very M-4/AR familiar, good rails, conventional gas system, folding stock is nice for getting out of a vehicle/aircraft, an the thing was a tack driver. Not so good, after using an M-4 for so many years having a moving operating handle is a bit annoying, especially when it is flying around on the left side of the gun. If I got one I would switch it to the other side. That is a standard feature and can be done in a minute with the same part. Another challenge which you have to expect with all .308s is that full auto is like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Not big on full auto myself, but short bursts are a must. Not sure if it would be much easier with a forward grip installed or not. That takes most of the skill requirement out with an M-4. You definitely can't square up on the target and let lose with a burst.

I have a buddy who is an AR fag, he keeps trying to steer me into an AR-15 type weapon, Larue or Rock River. I’ll reconsider my choices, nothing is in stone yet. I just wonder about the 5.56mm chambering, it makes me think of a .22LR, but I am ignorant on battle rifles. Yeah, for what the SOCOM costs, I could buy two ARs. Much to learn.

Thanx for that input. Good info.