Springfield M1A SOCOM 16

Springfield Armory, Inc. · Battle Rifle · In Production · 2004

Also known as: M1A SOCOM 16, SOCOM 16

Overview

The Springfield M1A SOCOM 16 is the most compact rifle in the M1A series, a civilian semi-automatic M14-pattern battle rifle in 7.62x51mm NATO built by Springfield Armory, Inc. of Geneseo, Illinois. Its 16.25-inch barrel is mated to the gas system and capped with a proprietary muzzle brake that tames the recoil of the shortened, full-power platform. A forward scout-style Picatinny rail and XS tritium front sight support intermediate-eye-relief optics or fast iron-sight target acquisition. Despite its short length, it retains the M1A's White-system short-stroke gas piston, rotating bolt, match-tuned two-stage trigger, and USGI magazine compatibility, making it a maneuverable, hard-hitting truck or brush gun.

Specifications

Weight (empty)4037 g (142.4 oz)
Overall Length946 mm (37.24")
Barrel Length413 mm (16.26")
Action TypeGas Operated Short Stroke
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeTwo Stage
Magazine Capacity10 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity762 m/s (2500 fps)
Muzzle Energy2758 J (2034 ft·lbf)
Effective Range400 m (437 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Rifling Twist279 mm (10.98")
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialPolymer
FinishParkerized

Calibers

Features

Base model

Springfield-M1a

Service history

Operators

Production

Production years: 2004-present

Production volumes not publicly published.

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Notes

The 16.25-inch barrel sacrifices roughly 150 fps of muzzle velocity versus a standard 22-inch M1A. The proprietary muzzle brake is essential to managing the increased blast and recoil of the short barrel. Sold with both synthetic and walnut stock options, and in a CQB chassis variant.

Background

Despite the 'SOCOM' name evoking US special-operations hardware, the SOCOM 16 was never a military-issue rifle - Springfield Armory coined the name to market a compact, hard-recoiling civilian M14 carbine that distills the full-power battle rifle into a 16-inch package.