My first week with the Springfield M1A SOCOM 16.

Good day!

I'll start my first post with the new rifle I purchased this week the Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM 16.

This BLOG is actually about any firearm or related chat so feel to comment or add your own experiences about any firearms related issue.

I will also review products I have personally used or abused, as it may be ;-).

So let's get going!

I bought the M1A SOCOM 16 at a local sporting warehouse after a good deal of research. I already own a Ruger Mini14 Ranch Rifle and a Bushmaster AR-15 , so I was looking for something in 7.62mm (.308).

As many of you may have noticed prices of ammunition have been skyrocketing, and the cost of metals and shipping charges are mostly to blame. I have been shooting .223, 9mm and .45 ACP at my local range, so the move into .308 made me swallow pretty hard. I also am leary of buying too many reloads or 'bulk' ammo due to past experience with obtaining and shooting sub-par .223.

My primary complaint with bulk ammo is how dirty it is. I thought we had smokeless powder since the late 1800s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokeless_powder). A lot of the rounds I have been using lately have been fair to good in overall performance. Some have not.

Back to the M1A SOCOM 16:

I received it NIB, in it's poly bag with the required pouches of desiccant. Also in the box is one 10 round magazine and 'for a limited time ' a Fully Loaded Coupon from Springfield. This coupon gives some significant discounts on M1 related accessories. The best items to get are the magazines, in my opinion.

The rifle is heavy, compared to my others. In my research that was mentioned, but until you pick up this hefty weapon and try sighting with you may be surprised. It's a kind of glowing power you get from hold this battle rifle that the AR-15 or Mini-14 never gave me.

My first task was to do what most do, and read every scrap of paper in the box. This was hard to do as I had the rifle in my hands too. :-)

The manual is full of the normal safety warnings: Shooting or discharge can kill or maim people. Really? Never knew that...

One thing that did unsettle me was the reprinted article about slam fire. I had heard of this happening before but this was vitriolic and in your face regarding the dangers.

I disassembled and cleaned off the grease and oils from the barrel and all exposed parts. There was some, but it was not covered in the salve layers I've seen on some others.

My next to do item was to head to the range. I'll save that for another post.

Good day!