[N7parry]

Hello all,

I just took the plunge and bought a SOCOM 16. I did a a lot of research here before my purchase. Thank you all for your help and advice!

I plan on using this rifle as a pick up and go gun. I want to use it for an all around weapon and am outfitting it as such. I am not worried about shooting super long distance, but I would like to be able to reach out and touch if I have to. I welcome all suggestions on how to improve the setup.

Here is what I have for it currently.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9HPP6S/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item"]Black Leather Military Style Sling[/ame]
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052FE6FS/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item"]Black Right Butt Stock Cheek Rest[/ame]
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035L35A8/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item"]UTG Tactical OP Bipod [/ame]
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BM5CZTQ/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item"]Conversion Accessory Picatinny Rail Mount[/ame]
25 Round CMI Magazine
15 Round CMI Magazine

I also have ordered a bunch of ammo, so I am good on that front.

The one thing I need to figure out is optics. I have done a lot of research, but am still undecided. I like the setup with a reflex sight and a magnifier. Anyone have any experience with that? Anything better for the setup I am building?

Thanks again for all your help, everyone!

 

[KurtC]

The leather military slings are designed for target shooting. A 1.25" nylon SuperSling
http://www.brownells.com/shooting-accessories/slings-sling-swivels/slings/super-sling--prod9716.aspx is great for a general purpose rifle.

The "side" cheek rest was designed for a scoped Garand rifle, which had the scope offset to the left. If you intend to use a scope, you will need a rest that comes straight upwards.

If you put an accessory rail on a current Socom with the polymer stock, you need the model that has the screws going upwards into the stock. The stock has threaded brass inserts.

Bipods on a polymer stock can flex the forearm upwards, negating the downward draw that the ferrule should have on the front band. If your ferrule is already contacting the gas cylinder, then it shouldn't matter.

With a bipod, you get what you pay for. Don't be surprised if cheap ones rattle apart.

I find the 15 round mags to be perfect for a carbine. Plenty of firepower, and easy to change while in the prone position.

 

[USSF06]

I recommend a USGI stock. They're much better than the standard Springfield Armory synthetic stock. You can find them on the PX.

 

[kr308]

I second what KurtC recomended and 49SFS06 on the USGI stock.Also stock up on more ammo and mags as your budget permits. USGI or Checkmate mags tend to work the best.

 

[RAMMAC]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9HPP6S/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item"]Black Leather Military Style Sling[/ame] - not as good as a tactical 2 or 3 point sling for general field work, great for a competition shooter

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052FE6FS/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item"]Black Right Butt Stock Cheek Rest[/ame] - not of any value if you use any kind of optics, it wont provide a high enough cheek rest, Bradley Cheekrest or anything with some height will be needed for optics

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035L35A8/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item"]UTG Tactical OP Bipod [/ame]- very low end bipod that wont hold well and will fail relatively quickly, Harris, GG&G, Atlas are all better choices

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BM5CZTQ/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item"]Conversion Accessory Picatinny Rail Mount[/ame] - very low end mount, Sadlak's version with the internal plate is better, you have to do some work on some stocks but it spreads the stress on the stock better

25 Round CMI Magazine - not known for their reliability, some people have found that they can't put more than 23 or 24 rounds in them, not much of an improvement over the standard 20 round magazine

15 Round CMI Magazine - better choice for all around field work, easier to use in the prone

I also have ordered a bunch of ammo, so I am good on that front.- what ammo, the short barrel works better with the ligher loads, stick with 130 - 155 grain bullets

Optics depend on what you are going to do with the rifle. For hunting at 100 yards or less use a red dot (TRS25, H1, Sparc). For ranges out to 400 yards or so then I like the Nikon Force XR 2.5-8 scout style scope with the BDC reticle.

 

[Keeper Oath]

I would do no more that what you have listed. Adding more items/weight to it defeats it's original purpose of being a Battle Rifle. Just my thoughts.

I have a Red Dot Sight and a Hunters Leather Sling on my SOCOM 16. Soon, I will be dressing it in a beautiful walnut stock that was finished by flipmasterj on this Forum.

 

[spartin]

I left optics alone on my socom and upgraded to national match sights. The m14 has some of the best iron sights ever made and they won't run out of batteries or require cleaning. Just something you should give some thought to.

I also took off the scout rail for weight savings and there was a noticeable difference.

 

[N7parry]

Thanks so far

Thank you all for your advice. I am formulating a plan on how to outfit this thing.

I was not even thinking about the weight when I first envisioned my setup, but definitely am recognizing it as a major factor. I think we all can agree that the desire to get all the cool gadgets can get to us at times.

I am rethinking the front rail and bipod based on RAMMAC's suggestion that they were not the best quality, and if I decide to put one on, there are better mounting options.

The stock upgrade is something that I have seen alot on this site. Is the original stock that much of a problem?

As far as sights and optics go, I am still debating. I like the iron sight idea from spartin, but have heard so much good about the T1 and Nikon. I know it all depends on what the intended use is, so I will continue to review this.

Thanks again for everyone who commented so far. I really appreciate the help! I cant wait till I get this thing out there and have some insight of my own to add to this community.

 

[USSF06]

Just an FYI, I recently (yesterday) changed out the sights on my SOCOM. Even though it was made to be a CQB rifle, I bought it for other reasons. I put USGI front and rear sights on it, and once my scope mount arrives I'll be mounting an Aimpoint Pro on it. Other than that, I have a USGI M4/M16 sling, USGI stock, and USGI Handguard on it (removed the scout rail). I, too, am trying to make a light all around platform out of it. If later you decide to do any of the above let me know and I'll share how and what I did to do it.

 

[KurtC]

The stock upgrade is something that I have seen alot on this site. Is the original stock that much of a problem?

No. The factory polymer stock is not a problem. There are members of this forum shooting sub-MOA with them on the Loaded model.

Becuase the forend "might" flex on a particular rifle, they are not normally recommended for bipod use or with a sling that will be cinched tight on your arm. You won't know until you try. The biggest detriment to the Socom is the sights, so you can't blame the stock until you change the sights or mount a scope.

A lot folks like the USGI wood stock, for the sake of nostalgia. However, there are very good reasons why the military phased them out. The USGI fiberglass is a better option, as it is not affected by moisture. The SAI factory wood stock is your best bet for accuracy and durability.

 

[geepee3]

This is one way to set up your Socom for the purpose you stated.



This is basically my "HOG" set up.
RAMMAC documented quite well the mods he did with his Socom 16.
While I did not need to do what he did with his Socom, I still did upgrades as I thought needed.

My front sight mod was one of the first mods I did.



The rifle pictured above has the Bushnell TRS-25 on it. I normally run an Aimpoint T-1 micro with 2" MOA dot.
But they are expensive and the TRS-25 costs under $100 and sits lower for a better centered cowitness.

I would stick to CMI 20 or 15 round magazines.
The rifle is a carbine, I'm not big on bipods for the Socom.
A Sadlak NM spring guide will smooth out the action. A good first upgrade.

Do your research and decide what you want. And most of all keep asking questions on what your not sure of.

Glenn

 

[RAMMAC]

Glenn's front sight mod is a really nice option, I did it to my rifle and I think it makes for a nice compromise between all the iron options.

 

[UnclePhilly]

This is what I did with my SOCOM II.

 

[SGT John SWF]

I would get a 5 Round Mag so you will be legal in Florida for Hunting.
EDIT: Of course this is if you plan on Hunting and what! 5 Rounder is only for Hogs and Deer.

 

[broylz]

If I had a socom it would be wearing a bm59 style folding stock and an aimpoint pro.