[NFHale]

Oh, it's absolutely heavier, but it's a LOT lighter than the standard-issue full-size M14/M1A rifles (which I have). I think, like with anything else, you would get accustomed to the extra weight rather quickly. I've shot he SOCOM version a couple times and fell in love with it (sigh...) .30 caliber, again, is a proven man-stopper. Now, of course, a .223 to the head will also drop a man, but a .30 will defintely knock him down and take him out of the fight. What's the heaviest .223 round out there, 77 grains? Compare that to the .308, velocity x mass = force??? The .308 comes in ranges of 155 grains all the way to 210 grains. Big powder charge, heavy round, travelling really fast... Fireworks... Same order as the 9mm (124 grains) versus the .45 (230 grains). Damn!!! I LOVE it when all the "Gunnies" come out to play in here!!!! Good stuff.

[chaos_5]

actually:
force = mass x acceleration.
momentum = mass x velocity

[navyguy]

I think you’re right about getting used to the extra weight. The SOCOM II is really intended for SOCOM guy, all of who are serious athletes. I think they’ll happily trade the extra 2-3 pound for the stopping power. They’re studs, they can handle the weight.

My only other concern would be long range accuracy. I haven’t fired the SOCOM, but the M16/.223 combo is very accurate at ‘longish’ ranges (say 300+ yards). I wonder how the SOCOM compares, especially with its shorter barrel. I suspect within 150-200 yards it compares very well (and much better than the sloppy AK-47 and its variants). And frankly most combat is within that range. I suspect this weapon is already being tested in Iraq and Ashcanistan. Looking forward to the field reports.