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Springfield M1A SOCOM 16: The Muscle Car of Rifles

Critics said the M-14 was what happened when the U.S. government took many years and spent millions of dollars designing a rifle that was really just a glorified M-1 Garand from World War II. The M-14 was the U.S. military’s last battle rifle. It appeared in 1959—the contemporary of the Pentagon’s first jet fighters and ICBMs. With its heavy steel parts and walnut stock, the M-14 looked positively archaic. It was hardly a Space Age weapon. And it only endured as America’s battle rifle until 1970, when the M-16 completely superseded it—the shortest service record of any U.S. military rifle...

I want to get a tactical scope for my M1-A to fill out a collection of several U.S. military rifles beginning with an 03-mark1. I am looking for one that most closely approximates what snipers currently use. I have narrowed my interest down to Leopold and Nightforce. It looks like I have to spend about $2,000. The technology part of the Nightforce website talks a really good story, but at the high end wouldn’t Leopold take the same care? Does anyone know which scope maker has the greatest presence in the military market? In terms of accessories I have a...

"Having fun with some firearms. 1911, Sig, Beretta, M1A, and of course... the AR15. If firearms offend you, tough cookies." (Click on link above)

I'm looking to purchase a battle rifle next year in .308, and can't decide what I want to get. I love the AR-15 rifles in 5.56mm, but have heard some bad things about reliability of the AR-10s. Also, the recoil is apparently more from this rifle than the other 308 semi-autos. But the AR-10 does have the advantage of having the same manual of arms as an AR-15. Another consideration is the Springfield M1A Scout. The M1A was ranked #1 by Boston T. Party in his "Gun Bible", and has a lot going for it. Finally, there is the FN-FAL....